Hello everyone,
I guess I just can't say enough 'thank you' for all your kind words of encouragement and your prayers. I really need all of them at this point.
Surgery date is set - April 12 at the UW Medical Center. I'll be having a mastectomy and a sentinel node biopsy. Surgery will probably be about
2+ hours. Mastectomy is not what I had hoped for, but I promised God I
would be okay with it if it is the case. So now I have to fulfill my promise...
Sentinel node biopsy is the surgical removal and examination of the sentinel node (first node filtering lymph fluid from the tumor site) to see if the node contains cancer cells. If it is negative, it means cancer probably hasn't spread. So the doc will not remove the entire lymph node system under the armpit. If it is positive, they will go ahead and remove the rest in the same surgery. There could be a possibility for false negative sentinel node during the surgery b/c the test they performed in the operating room is a limited one. They will take the lymph node for further testing, if the further testing indicates that the node actually contains cancer cells, I would probably be recommended to get another surgery to remove the rest of the lymph nodes.
After the surgery, the tumor will be taken in for further study. Based on initial testing, the tissues sampled have mixed features. So they can't tell what the best treatment option is until they've examined the entire tumor. Hence, I'll be discussing further treatment plan with oncologists (radiology/chemotherapy/hormone therapy) after the surgery.
I have an appt with a reconstruction surgeon on April 1 to see what reconstruction options I have. I haven't decided at this point if I want to subject myself to another surgery to build a fake boob, but I want to know what options I have. Hey, maybe I'll get a tummy tuck in the deal and insurance will pay for it? :-)
April 7 is my pre-operation mtg with the surgeon, and the anesthesiologist, if necessary, that is if they think I might have any bad reaction to anesthetics. I will have more details regarding the surgery after that day.
I think I've had more doctors' visits in the last few weeks than in the past 20 years of my life combined.
Last Sunday, Simon Poon shared with me 2 lessons he learned:
(1) How to obtain true peace that transcends all understanding?
Answer: Start with a heart of thanksgiving. Phil 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
(2) We are already victorous. No matter what the outcome is, we know
we have won because we live in Christ Jesus.
So Here're my thanksgiving items:
(1) Siang and I were very confused after last Friday's meeting b/c of the differing opinions we received from two different doctors. God quickly cleared those confusions on Monday through a second opinion consultation and a follow-up phone call from the first doc I met -- he phoned to tell me that he has to change his recommendation based on info
on the pathology reports. So now there is no more confusion.
(2) I was unable to make the 2nd opinion appt with the doc referred to me by Amy and Jed/Sharon. But I was able to meet with his colleague, a female doctor, instead. I guess God knew that I needed to hear the recommendation from another woman to feel completely 'comfortable' that I need a mastectomy.
(3) From the different test results, this is a low-grade tumor, hence should have good prognosis per various doctors.
(4) Suspicious images on the MRI on the unaffected breast were determined to be ok and considered not malignant based on a complementary ultrasound done last Friday.
(5) Siang's love for me has really been a great source of comfort. The significance of the part of our wedding vows, 'in sickness and in health', has now transcended.
Prayer requests:
(1) Cancer will stay contained and will not spread. I really really want to keep the lymph nodes in my armpit so I can do various sports that I enjoy.
(2) Mom and Dad plans to arrive Seattle on Apr 10. Pray that they'll be able to book the flight they want and have a safe trip here.
(3) I'll be prepared physically, spiritually and emotionally for the surgery, that God will take away my fears and anxiety. I'm a big chicken when it comes to surgical blades and needles..
(4) I'll stay focused at work. It's quarter-end so it's a busy time.
(I'll be working this weekend.)
(5) Wisdom for all the doctors and nurses that will be involved in the surgery and my after surgery care.
(6) Last but not least, continue to pray for family and friends that have yet to know our Lord, Jesus Christ.
THANK YOU ALL.
I beat Ada in terms of length of e-mails. :-)
Hello everyone,
Thank you so very much for all the support and love you've shown me.
Your prayers, phone calls, e-mails, cards, hugs, offer of help, etc. all mean so much to me. It really made me feel very very special. I thank God for His amazing love that is manifested through each and every one of you. Please accept my apology that I haven't been able to return your phone calls or e-mails individually. I plan to start an online blog sometime soon so everyone can view my most up-to-date medical progress. I have been trying to catch up on work after being away for almost a week, and trying to read up on breast cancer info to better prepare myself for the upcoming appointments with doctors.
To say that I have no worries would be a lie. But for the most part, I still feel really calm and peaceful and my spirit is still upbeat. I know I won't be able to feel that way without the troop of prayer warriors from near and far. Please continue to pray for:
* good prognosis - that the cancer has not spread and that they'll be able to conserve breast tissues
* courage to face the different test results
* wisdom for the doctors handling my case
* wisdom for me to make the best decision regarding treatment
* perseverance to endure treatment
* drive to become the person God wants me to be
* God's glory to be manifested through this experience
* Family and friends who have yet to know our Lord Jesus Christ, that they would able to experience God's great love and mercy and accept the great gift of eternal life.
My goal is to be a cancer survivor. I'm envisioning myself joining our small group for our next backpacking pilgrimage to Enchantment in October 2004, but maybe Ernie has to carry half of my pack.:-) (sorry, inside joke among x-group members). I also want to take my wedding gown out of the vacuum pack and try it on on Siang and I's 30th wedding anniversary. :-)
I talked to my doctor yesterday. CT scan looks fine, no obvious signs that the cancer has spread to the chest, abdomen or pelvis area. They do see something that looks like a cyst in my thyroid, but said it's most probably unrelated to the cancer. My blood test also looks ok, with one exception that my bleeding time is just a tiny bit above normal, but nothing alarming at this point. Got an MRI done yesterday, don't know results yet. I'm going to meet with doctors at two different hospitals this week (Wed and Fri). By the end of this week, I should have a pretty good idea of what kind of treatment options I have and make a decision from there.
Thanks again.