Monday, January 3, 2011
The Story Part 9- Your Cancer is Back
Terry and I decided we needed to get of of DODGE.... for Thanksgiving. We left for Star Valley on Wednesday afternoon. I just wanted to spend time with my family. My entire family was hopefully going to be together. I drove to Evanston, and we decided to stop at WalMart to take a potty break and there might be some pre-Christmas sales.... I was checking out the little boy outfits for our grandson when my phone rang. Terry says, "That's weird your mom, Janell and Jenni just called right before we got here....." then he laughed. I answered the phone and it was Dr. Jennifer. She asked me if it was okay to talk. I (of course) said sure..... I walked into the men's section of the store. (there is never any shoppers in the men's section). She continued to tell me, "Gloria I got the results back from the biopsy. It's not good. Your cancer is back." Tears immediately filled my eyes. "We are going to be very aggressive with it. You know you can't have radiation on that breast again right." I said "yes". She continued, " I want to see you in my office on Tuesday. Please, try to have a good Thanksgiving." " I am so sorry for the news but I knew you should know right away." I just stood there in shock for several minutes. ............
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Story Part 8-The Needle Biopsy
I'm not sure if anyone reading has had a needle biopsy before, but I had one with my first bout of cancer. I sat at a mammogram with my breast immobilized. It felt like a sewing machine was coming at me. NOT FUN AT ALL. I was expecting the worse this time as well.
We arrived at the AF Hospital showing up early for my appointment. I had pre-registered the day before. The woman on the other end of the phone told me to go to the same place as you went before. So, the last place I had been was AF Hospital. Well, they couldn't find the appointment at AF Hospital. The receptionist made a few calls, come to find out I should be at the UV Hospital only a half hour away, if I drive. Forty five minutes if Terry drives. Guess who drove. I am so glad I didn't break any laws.... I did go the speed limit. I did make it in 28 minutes. They called ahead and told them what had happened. Some of their other patients, who were early as well went in my place. They worked them in and then it was my turn.
The needle biopsy machine is one that you lay flat on your stomach. Like the MRI, I got to put my breast into a hole. At least this one was round. They numbed me well. They took several cores from my breast and sent them to the lab. I was there for about an hour. After the biopsy they did another mammogram. Basically, they just cut me open and they tried to squeeze me. Not sure of their procedures. I guess there is method to their madness.. Tomorrow -- the diagnosis.
We arrived at the AF Hospital showing up early for my appointment. I had pre-registered the day before. The woman on the other end of the phone told me to go to the same place as you went before. So, the last place I had been was AF Hospital. Well, they couldn't find the appointment at AF Hospital. The receptionist made a few calls, come to find out I should be at the UV Hospital only a half hour away, if I drive. Forty five minutes if Terry drives. Guess who drove. I am so glad I didn't break any laws.... I did go the speed limit. I did make it in 28 minutes. They called ahead and told them what had happened. Some of their other patients, who were early as well went in my place. They worked them in and then it was my turn.
The needle biopsy machine is one that you lay flat on your stomach. Like the MRI, I got to put my breast into a hole. At least this one was round. They numbed me well. They took several cores from my breast and sent them to the lab. I was there for about an hour. After the biopsy they did another mammogram. Basically, they just cut me open and they tried to squeeze me. Not sure of their procedures. I guess there is method to their madness.. Tomorrow -- the diagnosis.
The Story Part 7-Back to the Dr. Office for Updates
After the marathon tests on Friday, I went to my appointment to see my Dr. on Monday. She said she just didn't feel good about what the radiologist said that we should wait six months. She contacted another radiologist and they went over my files over the weekend. It's good to have Dr.'s on your side.... They both agreed since I had had cancer seven years ago in the same breast.... I probably needed a biopsy. --Just to make sure. --I agreed with them fully. I still had pain in my lymph nodes and it was unexplained. She scheduled the needle biopsy for the following day. more to come....
The Story Part 6-The One Day Marathon of TESTS
The three of us (Terry, the Dr. and me) decided that it would be best to have a "floor plan or blueprint" if you will, of my body so the Dr. knew what to expect before I got to go under the knife. So the CT scan, mammogram and Ultrasound were scheduled - - All on the same day (it was the Friday before Thanksgiving). I arrived at the hospital, fasting. Had blood drawn for another test. The lab tech came to the waiting room to give me my radioactive cocktail breakfast shake. I drank two bottles of this gross chalky tasting substance. Okay, it wasn't that bad.... I waited with Terry in the waiting room for about an hour and a half. Tried to unplug the computer at one point and got shocked..... That radioactive stuff really works.
TEST #1 THE CT: The first test was the CT scan. Dr. Jennifer ordered a full body scan (trunk) so she could find out what was going on in the lymph nodes as well. I finally went back to the scanning room. I was greeted by two big burley dudes. I laid down on the slab and they hooked me to an IV for more internal scanning. The test only took 10 minutes. It was something from a science fiction movie. The only problem---- I had to raise me arms above my head at the end of the scan. When I raised my arms the tubing wasn't long enough or leaked or something.... Because the IV squirted the juice all over my clothes and face. Not FUN..... FUNNY....but NOT fun. The lab dudes said that I would have results with a few days.
TEST#2 THE MAMMOGRAM: I left one part of the hospital and was directed to go to another part of the hospital. I changed into a gown that fit and opened from the front... JOY (you know what I mean if you've had a mammogram or if you're a woman). Then comes the "Sit and wait" mode. Terry was getting a lot of work done, supporting his wife and typing away on something. They called me to the Lab room and they took the mammogram. A squeezing experience. The tech was very nice and very supportive. She told me the Radiologist would let me know what he saw before I left today. I thought "cool"... To the next test.....
TEST #3 THE ULTRASOUND: The imaging portions of the hospital are together in the hospital. So I didn't have to go far for my ultrasound. In fact they got me right in. They pour this warm goop all over the skin before being tested. Just so happens that it was my breasts being tested remember..... GROSS again! They checked out both breasts including lymph nodes again with a rolley wand type contraption. (It reminds me of a computer mouse) The tech didn't talk much... She was all about business. When she was finished, she told me to wipe off the goop and get dressed.
THE VERBAL RESULTS: The mammogram tech came out had told me that the radiologist saw two tiny calcium deposits in the left breast. She told me the doctor said to come back in Six months. In six months they would see if anything had changed. I thought to myself... Cool- Six months is good. Please hang in there for the rest of the story... you know there's more.
TEST #1 THE CT: The first test was the CT scan. Dr. Jennifer ordered a full body scan (trunk) so she could find out what was going on in the lymph nodes as well. I finally went back to the scanning room. I was greeted by two big burley dudes. I laid down on the slab and they hooked me to an IV for more internal scanning. The test only took 10 minutes. It was something from a science fiction movie. The only problem---- I had to raise me arms above my head at the end of the scan. When I raised my arms the tubing wasn't long enough or leaked or something.... Because the IV squirted the juice all over my clothes and face. Not FUN..... FUNNY....but NOT fun. The lab dudes said that I would have results with a few days.
TEST#2 THE MAMMOGRAM: I left one part of the hospital and was directed to go to another part of the hospital. I changed into a gown that fit and opened from the front... JOY (you know what I mean if you've had a mammogram or if you're a woman). Then comes the "Sit and wait" mode. Terry was getting a lot of work done, supporting his wife and typing away on something. They called me to the Lab room and they took the mammogram. A squeezing experience. The tech was very nice and very supportive. She told me the Radiologist would let me know what he saw before I left today. I thought "cool"... To the next test.....
TEST #3 THE ULTRASOUND: The imaging portions of the hospital are together in the hospital. So I didn't have to go far for my ultrasound. In fact they got me right in. They pour this warm goop all over the skin before being tested. Just so happens that it was my breasts being tested remember..... GROSS again! They checked out both breasts including lymph nodes again with a rolley wand type contraption. (It reminds me of a computer mouse) The tech didn't talk much... She was all about business. When she was finished, she told me to wipe off the goop and get dressed.
THE VERBAL RESULTS: The mammogram tech came out had told me that the radiologist saw two tiny calcium deposits in the left breast. She told me the doctor said to come back in Six months. In six months they would see if anything had changed. I thought to myself... Cool- Six months is good. Please hang in there for the rest of the story... you know there's more.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Haircut!!
Brickman was brave for his Grandma Glori. He shaved his head so Grandma Glori wouldn't be so scared! Thank you Brickman for being brave for me!! Love you!!
These are before ---During, YIKES-- I had to take my turn---and after....
My sweet daughter Janell, her kids Brickman and Teagan came today.
We went to "Tangled", we need a movie with hair because, before the movie, we shaved our heads. My hair has been falling out for the last few day. Handfuls of hair..... it was very depressing. So, we figured that we would take charge of the cancer. It will not take my hair... I will take my own hair. The picture are the best, and say it all. Nice head huh?? I guess Terry was right, the older you get, the more you start looking like your spouse. I just didn't know it would be me looking like him. hee hee!!
The Story Part 5-The Surgeon
Because I don't have her permission to use her full name, I'll just call the Surgeon Jennifer, or Dr. Jennifer.
An appointment was made for me the second week in November 2010. I arrived at the Dr. Jennifer's office with Terry.
(Suggestion to all who may ever go through this or any Medical procedure.... Keep a notebook or paper with all medical past surgeries, family medical history, any medication, type, dose and how often taken. It will save a lot of brain stress and recall. I wish I would have done this.)
Terry and I waited for a while- then both of us were called back to an office. I wasn't sure what to expect. I was anxious, when I get anxious I get silly. While we waited, Terry and I joked about having horses in back window. We were on the third floor, but outside the window the horses were having a great lunch.
The assistant came in and I gave her the history of my medical life. (the notebook would have been handy.) They brought in another ultra sound machine. After about 20 minutes Dr. came in. I gave her my history again, filling any gaps she didn't get from her assistant. After she was finished talking with Terry and I, she seem puzzled to me. You could see the cogs in her brain turning-- wondering what she should do with me. She then took another ultrasound to see if she could see something different from the lab. Her machine wasn't as good as the other from the hospital. she asked if I had had a mammogram in the last year. It told her NO, just the MRI. She decided, that she needed a floor plan of my body before she started carving on it. She also said she needed to research my case more in depth. I told her about the first ultra sound I had and how rude the tech was, I told her that my file was just LOST. She sent her assistant out to go find anything from the hospital internal network. Sure enough the assistant brought a copy of the ultrasound, she found it and it stated I needed an MRI a YEAR ago. Frustration!! She made me a copy for my files and ordered a CT scan, mammogram and Ultrasound to be done that week. She told me she wanted to see me within the next week. We would then recap the results. more to come........
An appointment was made for me the second week in November 2010. I arrived at the Dr. Jennifer's office with Terry.
(Suggestion to all who may ever go through this or any Medical procedure.... Keep a notebook or paper with all medical past surgeries, family medical history, any medication, type, dose and how often taken. It will save a lot of brain stress and recall. I wish I would have done this.)
Terry and I waited for a while- then both of us were called back to an office. I wasn't sure what to expect. I was anxious, when I get anxious I get silly. While we waited, Terry and I joked about having horses in back window. We were on the third floor, but outside the window the horses were having a great lunch.
The assistant came in and I gave her the history of my medical life. (the notebook would have been handy.) They brought in another ultra sound machine. After about 20 minutes Dr. came in. I gave her my history again, filling any gaps she didn't get from her assistant. After she was finished talking with Terry and I, she seem puzzled to me. You could see the cogs in her brain turning-- wondering what she should do with me. She then took another ultrasound to see if she could see something different from the lab. Her machine wasn't as good as the other from the hospital. she asked if I had had a mammogram in the last year. It told her NO, just the MRI. She decided, that she needed a floor plan of my body before she started carving on it. She also said she needed to research my case more in depth. I told her about the first ultra sound I had and how rude the tech was, I told her that my file was just LOST. She sent her assistant out to go find anything from the hospital internal network. Sure enough the assistant brought a copy of the ultrasound, she found it and it stated I needed an MRI a YEAR ago. Frustration!! She made me a copy for my files and ordered a CT scan, mammogram and Ultrasound to be done that week. She told me she wanted to see me within the next week. We would then recap the results. more to come........
The Story Part 4- the Lymph Node Ultrasound
When the results came back from the MRI, they said my lymph nodes had grown to 2 1/2 centimeters under my left arm. My Dr. sent me to get an Ultrasound to get more information. So-- Once again I went to go get an Ultrasound. The lab tech only took pictures of the lymph nodes under my left arm and right arm. As far as the lymph nodes under the right arm,
she said, "These nodes looked health and the cortex resembled a healthy node. The nodes looked like typical healthy textbook nodes. They are swollen to about 2 centimeters, but look very healthy."
"What could cause the swelling," I replied.
"It could be as simple as common cold." she said.
"For an entire year?" I responded. "Weird".
Then she went to the left arm..... I had told the tech how big the MRI had revealed my lymph node was. She told me that would be milometers not centimeters. I didn't want to argue with her. (Ya know, I really do know by own body. Listen) I figured that she would see what the MRI revealed, when she got it on the screen. Sure enough---when checking the left arm they had a hard time finding it. It was deep into the muscle-growing-putting pressure on the nerves and yes just larger that 2 1/2 centimeters. It was dark, and she didn't make comment on it looking healthy at all. In fact she didn't say much of anything after that point. She brought in the radiologist and he look at the images.
He looked at me and said..."You need to see a surgeon."
I said, "Who, is the best in your opinion. Can you give me him/her?"
"Yes," he said.
He gave me the name of a surgeon. Jennifer is one of the best. He told me he would make the arrangements. I thought to myself "great here we go" .... I had no idea...... to be continued.
she said, "These nodes looked health and the cortex resembled a healthy node. The nodes looked like typical healthy textbook nodes. They are swollen to about 2 centimeters, but look very healthy."
"What could cause the swelling," I replied.
"It could be as simple as common cold." she said.
"For an entire year?" I responded. "Weird".
Then she went to the left arm..... I had told the tech how big the MRI had revealed my lymph node was. She told me that would be milometers not centimeters. I didn't want to argue with her. (Ya know, I really do know by own body. Listen) I figured that she would see what the MRI revealed, when she got it on the screen. Sure enough---when checking the left arm they had a hard time finding it. It was deep into the muscle-growing-putting pressure on the nerves and yes just larger that 2 1/2 centimeters. It was dark, and she didn't make comment on it looking healthy at all. In fact she didn't say much of anything after that point. She brought in the radiologist and he look at the images.
He looked at me and said..."You need to see a surgeon."
I said, "Who, is the best in your opinion. Can you give me him/her?"
"Yes," he said.
He gave me the name of a surgeon. Jennifer is one of the best. He told me he would make the arrangements. I thought to myself "great here we go" .... I had no idea...... to be continued.
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