We met with the Surgical Oncologist today. Healing is going good, as to be expected. The thing that we(I) were most interested in was the Pathology report. It wasn't as good as I had hoped for but I guess it wasn't really horrible either. They got good margins between the cancer and good tissue on all of incisions, but here still was a tumor in the breast. It had decreased in size from somewhere around 2cm x 2cm+ down to 1.3 cm. It is encouraging that it shrunk but I was hoping that it would be much smaller or gone altogether. It did respond to the chemo which is important. The surgeon didn't really give us a feel for how good a response that is, that will probably come from the Medical Oncologist. We also knew that there was at least one lymphnode involved. It turns out that there were 5 out of the 14 that they removed that were involved. I don't really know to what extent. I am just thinking now that there is no mention of the other 3 tumors, but the report says the largest tumor is 1.3cm. Not sure if that means the other are gone or just smaller. Because of the number of lymphnnodes involved the surgeon expected more chemo and then radiation but we will find that out on April 15th when we meet with the Medical Oncologist.
16 days seems like a lifetime to wait to hear what will be next. It feels like we took a detour in the upward path we felt we were on.
Pray that all of the cancer was removed with the surgery and prepare us for the next steps!
Trusting in Him more than ever!
John
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Recovery: Day 12
I guess I am a bit overdue for a recovery update. It has been a tough couple of weeks, but things seem to have turned the corner yesterday. This past Tuesday Kim had an appt with one of the surgeons. We have been tracking the fluid in her drains and two of them were below the threshold to have them removed. It made sense since they were on the side opposite of the cancer and the removed lympnodes. Kim went to the appt Tuesday expecting to get them removed only to be told that they were not filling because the blood was pooling inside her! That was a real let down since, believe it or not the drains seem at times be the most painful. It was also frustrating because we have had a nurse here twice to check her out and neither one of them said anything. Actually when Kim talked to them later one of them said, "I thought something was going on". With pain comes pain medicine and with that comes sleep. Kims concept of time over the last weeks is way off, and she tried to let Maverick out the other day when he wasn't even here. The meds make her "loopy", but we are thankful for them (PRAISE!)
We are at the tail end of the two weeks that Kim had planned out before she went for the surgery, so it is good that is will not be as "loopy". Maverick has been at Kim's moms house for a week and then at Camp Lori for the next week. I was excited to see him at the door greeting me again yesterday, but it was very nice not having to worry about him the last two weeks. Kim also had a friend (Julie Neal) here for a few days, up from Virginia to take care of her while I was at work and then another friend (Lori Reed) here several days this week to take care of her. The kids have also been take care of most of the week, either at Grandmas or with Aunt Paula. I can't help but remember that some people have to worry about how they will get home from surgery, when we have such a great support team! (PRAISE!!!)
Yesterday Kim had another appt and the did take out two of the drains, one from each side (PRAISE!). That really gave us both a lift emotionally. It feels like we are atleast moving in the right direction. We knew this would be a hard few weeks, but when you are in the middle it is hard to see the end. I also think it was hard since we had those few weeks in between Chemo and surgery where Kim was feeling so good (we were greatful for the break, and it came at a good time for Kims show). Kim says that removing those two drains has really reduced the pain as well which means less pain medicine.(PRAISE!) Today has been a very good day so far. I think the sunshine also helps (PRAISE!). She was also able to take her first shower in two weeks last night (PRAISE!).
Kim has two appts next week, one Monday with the Surgical Oncologist. We haven't heard anything about the pathology results from the removed tissue, so we hope to get them Monday. I really don't know what to expect. I suppose that the results may have some impact on the next steps, radiation, more chemo, or healing and starting the 5 year treament with the hormone suppressant. I don't think that Monday will give those answers, the Medical Oncologist is the one who will make those decisions, but we should get some informtion Monday. Hopefully Kim will get the other two drains out Tuesday.
That is about it, we are really appreciate all of the support from everyone. We have turned the dining room into a greenhouse for all of your flowers and I will have to restart my diet again after all of the good food we have had these past two weeks! I am also thankful for dishwashers and washing machines!!!! Thank you for all the other things that you have done as well, cards, money, meals, general encouragement and most of all prayers!
Specific prayer requests: That the drains are ready to be removed Tuesday and that they are. Continued healing. Pathology results! Decisions Drs will make based on those pathology results and just the general encougement that we have felt, especially in the past two days!(PRAISE!!) We are also getting excited about the celebration trip to DISNEY!
I know this update is kinda all over the place, but that is how this past two weeks have been! I will keep you posted with results from Monday and Tuesday.
As always, Trusting in Him,
John
We are at the tail end of the two weeks that Kim had planned out before she went for the surgery, so it is good that is will not be as "loopy". Maverick has been at Kim's moms house for a week and then at Camp Lori for the next week. I was excited to see him at the door greeting me again yesterday, but it was very nice not having to worry about him the last two weeks. Kim also had a friend (Julie Neal) here for a few days, up from Virginia to take care of her while I was at work and then another friend (Lori Reed) here several days this week to take care of her. The kids have also been take care of most of the week, either at Grandmas or with Aunt Paula. I can't help but remember that some people have to worry about how they will get home from surgery, when we have such a great support team! (PRAISE!!!)
Yesterday Kim had another appt and the did take out two of the drains, one from each side (PRAISE!). That really gave us both a lift emotionally. It feels like we are atleast moving in the right direction. We knew this would be a hard few weeks, but when you are in the middle it is hard to see the end. I also think it was hard since we had those few weeks in between Chemo and surgery where Kim was feeling so good (we were greatful for the break, and it came at a good time for Kims show). Kim says that removing those two drains has really reduced the pain as well which means less pain medicine.(PRAISE!) Today has been a very good day so far. I think the sunshine also helps (PRAISE!). She was also able to take her first shower in two weeks last night (PRAISE!).
Kim has two appts next week, one Monday with the Surgical Oncologist. We haven't heard anything about the pathology results from the removed tissue, so we hope to get them Monday. I really don't know what to expect. I suppose that the results may have some impact on the next steps, radiation, more chemo, or healing and starting the 5 year treament with the hormone suppressant. I don't think that Monday will give those answers, the Medical Oncologist is the one who will make those decisions, but we should get some informtion Monday. Hopefully Kim will get the other two drains out Tuesday.
That is about it, we are really appreciate all of the support from everyone. We have turned the dining room into a greenhouse for all of your flowers and I will have to restart my diet again after all of the good food we have had these past two weeks! I am also thankful for dishwashers and washing machines!!!! Thank you for all the other things that you have done as well, cards, money, meals, general encouragement and most of all prayers!
Specific prayer requests: That the drains are ready to be removed Tuesday and that they are. Continued healing. Pathology results! Decisions Drs will make based on those pathology results and just the general encougement that we have felt, especially in the past two days!(PRAISE!!) We are also getting excited about the celebration trip to DISNEY!
I know this update is kinda all over the place, but that is how this past two weeks have been! I will keep you posted with results from Monday and Tuesday.
As always, Trusting in Him,
John
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Recovery: Day 2
We are HOME!!!!! She still has 4 drains that we need to track and lots of meds, but we are home. Thank you everyone! Does anyone have a little waiter bell for her :-)
Trusting in Him,
John
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Recovery: Day 1
Day 1 of recovery is going well. There were a couple of things this morning that have since gotten better. Overnight they forgot to put on her leg massage thingys so this morning her right leg was numb and they couldn't find a pulse it in. They brought in the doppler machine and they found a pulse and since then she has regained feeling. She also had some fluid in her lungs this morning but that has apparently gotten better throughout the day as well.
Kim has been up walking a few times today and has been eating pretty normal. Each walk has been getting a little longer. She has all tubes/etc removed except for a ball that delivers medication internally to her wounds. Still lots of sleeping, but much better than yesterday at this time. She got to talk to the kids today which was nice, they both told her they loved her, which really lifted her spirits.
I guess there is still some question as to what the next steps will be for treating the cancer. Our next appointment with the Medical Oncologist will give us more answers, more chemo, radiation, etc. I am not sure when that appointment is but when we get news, I will share. We have not gotten a definative answer on when she will be going home, but it seems like it may be tomorrow. They also will be sending a nurse to check in on Thursday.
I will be leaving soon to go home and get the kids from Grandma. Bath night! (for the kids ;-) ) I may need some prayers for that! Thanks again for the prayers, they are working!
Trusting in Him!
John
Kim has been up walking a few times today and has been eating pretty normal. Each walk has been getting a little longer. She has all tubes/etc removed except for a ball that delivers medication internally to her wounds. Still lots of sleeping, but much better than yesterday at this time. She got to talk to the kids today which was nice, they both told her they loved her, which really lifted her spirits.
I guess there is still some question as to what the next steps will be for treating the cancer. Our next appointment with the Medical Oncologist will give us more answers, more chemo, radiation, etc. I am not sure when that appointment is but when we get news, I will share. We have not gotten a definative answer on when she will be going home, but it seems like it may be tomorrow. They also will be sending a nurse to check in on Thursday.
I will be leaving soon to go home and get the kids from Grandma. Bath night! (for the kids ;-) ) I may need some prayers for that! Thanks again for the prayers, they are working!
Trusting in Him!
John
Monday, March 17, 2008
Goodbye Cancer!
There really isn't alot to report, which I think in this case is a good thing. We got here at 6:30 this morning, after going to bed in a house that was WAY to quiet. The kids and Maverick are both at Grandmas, so no "night-time" music or snoring dogs. They took Kim in around 9:30 after visits from a few of her Dr/ friends that work in the hospital, David (our Pastor), and Kims brother Scott. Downstairs was the Barnard/ Sklenar support team (including several visits from Sue Romansky!) taking up most of the corner of the main lobby. I think we may have been thought of as "The entertainment". The Oncologist finished around 1:00 and the Plastic Surgeon finished around 2:30. Kim woke up in a bit of pain and nausea so they gave her some medications. At 6:00 she moved her head side to side enough to acknowledge that I was here, but that is about all I am getting. She seems pretty comfortable and exhausted.
Like I said there wasn't any real news. The Drs said everything went about as well as it could. The Oncologist said that the pathology report should be back around Thursday. I will send out another email if there is anything to tell, or if I get bored sitting here in the quiet;-) Both Drs have been in for followup so I think that is probably it for tonight.
I hope the Subject of this email is the truth, as far as we KNOW it is, there are no other signs that there is more anywhere PRAISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all so much for all that you have and are doing for us, especially the prayers!
Trusting in Him!
John
Like I said there wasn't any real news. The Drs said everything went about as well as it could. The Oncologist said that the pathology report should be back around Thursday. I will send out another email if there is anything to tell, or if I get bored sitting here in the quiet;-) Both Drs have been in for followup so I think that is probably it for tonight.
I hope the Subject of this email is the truth, as far as we KNOW it is, there are no other signs that there is more anywhere PRAISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you all so much for all that you have and are doing for us, especially the prayers!
Trusting in Him!
John
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Ride Home
Hi all,
Just a quick note, we are off to bed to be ready to be at the hospital at 6:30. I just wanted to tell you that when I was going through Kims papers for the surgery that I came across something I needed to tell you. One of her documents say that she cannot driver herself home from the hospital. Reading that made me realize that there are probably some people who have to consider how to get home. That made me very sad so I just wanted to tell you all that I am very thankful for all of you, and all of the support that all of you have given us. Thank you!!!!!
Our prayer is that the blessings are returned to you tenfold!
Trusting in Him!
John
Just a quick note, we are off to bed to be ready to be at the hospital at 6:30. I just wanted to tell you that when I was going through Kims papers for the surgery that I came across something I needed to tell you. One of her documents say that she cannot driver herself home from the hospital. Reading that made me realize that there are probably some people who have to consider how to get home. That made me very sad so I just wanted to tell you all that I am very thankful for all of you, and all of the support that all of you have given us. Thank you!!!!!
Our prayer is that the blessings are returned to you tenfold!
Trusting in Him!
John
Thursday, March 13, 2008
4 Days and Counting (and peach fuzz!!)
Hello everyone, it has been almost a month since the last update. It has been pretty uneventful, even with a few Dr. appts. There still is no trace of the tumor, at least the Dr cannot feel it(PRAISE). Kim had her preop Monday and we haven't heard anything since, so we assume everything is still a go(PRAISE). The surgery is Monday the 17th at 9:00 but we have to be at Rochester General Hospital at 7. They have said that the surgery should be in the ballpark of 4 hours, so I guess that would make it around 1:00 by the time they are done. There will be two surgeons, the Oncologist and the Plastic Surgeon. Once the Oncologist is done with one side he will switch and the Plastic Surgeon will take over.
I guess for those that are on this email list for the first time, I should mention that Kim is having a Total Masectomy on her right side and a Modified Radical Masectomy on the left side (includes the lympnodes). If you want to catch up on any of the emails that you have missed you can go to http://www.dancercancer.blogspot.com/
Kim already has the full two weeks after surgery planned so that they kids are taken car of while I am at work. She will have plenty of time to just relax and heal so we just increased our Netflix membership. These next two weeks may be the hardest so far for Kim since just relaxing and doing nothing is one of the hardest things for Kim to do. I plan on being home Mon - Wed. We are not sure exactly when Kim will be home, but probably around 3 days in the hospital. Kim has a friend coming up from Virgina to stay with her Thur and Fri to take care of her while I am at work.
The past month has been pretty much normal. I have tried to start burning off all of that GOOD FOOD that everyone brought us while Kim was doing chemo. Kim has been going full blast. I don't know if she was home for a full day all week. Tonight is her opening night for Irondequoit High Schools "Once Upon A Mattress". We did have a bit of a downer when Kim lost most of her eyelashes and eyebrows. We thought she had made it through the chemo without losing them, but a week or two after she was done, they came out. She has already started to regrow them both and the hair on her head has also started coming in. It took a long time for the hair to start to regrow. I think our expectations were a little high, but we are excited now that she has some blonde peach fuzz! We also purchased our Celebration trip tickets to Florida for the first week in May!! The kids are very excited for that!
Thank you all for the cards and well wishes this past week. We appreciate you keeping us in your prayers.
Prayer Requests: Peace and trust going into the surgery. Skill for the Dr.'s. Clean margins for the tumor removal. Success with the Anethesiologist using Kims mediport (PRAISE THAT THEY CAN USE THIS!!!) instead of an IV. Tolerance of the anesthesia. Care for the kids while we are the hosptial and for their comfort and understanding while Mommy is hurting (Kim won't be able to lift them for a while). Strength for Kim and I while with the kids. Peace and trust coming out of the surgery with the realization of what just happened. SUCCESS, that she will now be cancer FREE!!!
We are VERY optimistic and thank all of you for everything you have done for us, physically and spiritually! Please continue to pray for Kim to have the AMAZING trust and strength that she has already shown us all! I will try to get an email out as soon as I can after surgery. Feel free to send me emails, I will print them all and make sure that Kim gets them while she is in the hospital.
Trusting in Him!
John
I guess for those that are on this email list for the first time, I should mention that Kim is having a Total Masectomy on her right side and a Modified Radical Masectomy on the left side (includes the lympnodes). If you want to catch up on any of the emails that you have missed you can go to http://www.dancercancer.blogspot.com/
Kim already has the full two weeks after surgery planned so that they kids are taken car of while I am at work. She will have plenty of time to just relax and heal so we just increased our Netflix membership. These next two weeks may be the hardest so far for Kim since just relaxing and doing nothing is one of the hardest things for Kim to do. I plan on being home Mon - Wed. We are not sure exactly when Kim will be home, but probably around 3 days in the hospital. Kim has a friend coming up from Virgina to stay with her Thur and Fri to take care of her while I am at work.
The past month has been pretty much normal. I have tried to start burning off all of that GOOD FOOD that everyone brought us while Kim was doing chemo. Kim has been going full blast. I don't know if she was home for a full day all week. Tonight is her opening night for Irondequoit High Schools "Once Upon A Mattress". We did have a bit of a downer when Kim lost most of her eyelashes and eyebrows. We thought she had made it through the chemo without losing them, but a week or two after she was done, they came out. She has already started to regrow them both and the hair on her head has also started coming in. It took a long time for the hair to start to regrow. I think our expectations were a little high, but we are excited now that she has some blonde peach fuzz! We also purchased our Celebration trip tickets to Florida for the first week in May!! The kids are very excited for that!
Thank you all for the cards and well wishes this past week. We appreciate you keeping us in your prayers.
Prayer Requests: Peace and trust going into the surgery. Skill for the Dr.'s. Clean margins for the tumor removal. Success with the Anethesiologist using Kims mediport (PRAISE THAT THEY CAN USE THIS!!!) instead of an IV. Tolerance of the anesthesia. Care for the kids while we are the hosptial and for their comfort and understanding while Mommy is hurting (Kim won't be able to lift them for a while). Strength for Kim and I while with the kids. Peace and trust coming out of the surgery with the realization of what just happened. SUCCESS, that she will now be cancer FREE!!!
We are VERY optimistic and thank all of you for everything you have done for us, physically and spiritually! Please continue to pray for Kim to have the AMAZING trust and strength that she has already shown us all! I will try to get an email out as soon as I can after surgery. Feel free to send me emails, I will print them all and make sure that Kim gets them while she is in the hospital.
Trusting in Him!
John
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