1/31
- Complete the drive to Wauwatosa, WI (Milwaukee)
- Unload the u-haul with the help of my brothers and sister before the snow comes on Sunday
2/1-2/3
- work on unpacking and getting settled
2/4
- doctor appointment
- more unpacking
2/5
- doctor appointment
- shop for post surgery
2/6-2/9
- finish preparing apartment/getting settled
2/10
- doctor appointment
2/11
- pre-surgery procedure/test/stabbing
2/12
- 5:30 am hospital arrival for surgery
2/18
- turn 36
Wondering about recovery and everything after? That makes two of us. I won't know until after surgery but I'll let you know when find out. 2015 is TBD in every way.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Williamsburg, KY
Today started way to early for my liking. I loaded the u-haul trailer with the help of my dad, Amy, Bob and Jim--there is no way I could have pulled this off without all of their help. My dad left with his truck and the trailer around 1:00 pm and I left after the necessary clean up, etc., around 3:00. We made it just over the Kentucky state line. Tomorrow is destination Milwaukee. It looks like it should be 8-11 more hours, depending on traffic, etc. Good thing I rediscovered the audio book Jamie "loaned" to me 2 years ago...Don't worry, I'll get back to you regarding my thoughts on Bossy Pants, by Tina Fey.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
A lot has happened since my last post. I met with a surgeon and plastic surgeon in Milwaukee, which was followed by more tests and stabbings. The good news is that the results of the stabbings seem fairly positive, but we won't know anything for sure until surgery. In other news, I have also learned how to spell the words surgery and surgeon.
After a lot of thought, I decided I wanted the doctors I met with to be on my team--you, my dear reader, are also on my team, by the way. I have no idea of how long recovery will be or what the next year of my life looks like, so it became apparent that I would need to relocate to the great state of Wisconsin. Between appointments I was able to find an apartment in Wauwatosa, which is about 10 minutes from the hospital and 10 minutes from downtown Milwaukee (Wauwatosa, that's another new spelling word for me). Craig and Joanne, some dear friends I have in the Milwaukee area, helped with support, transportation, appointments, etc., and it was more of a blessing than I can begin to explain.
So where are we today? Well, surgery is scheduled for February 12th. I am currently in North Carolina packing up my house and saying goodbye (I flew back Monday evening), while my dad is driving down from Illinois. Saturday we will make the drive up to Wauwatosa. I have appointments February 4th, 5th, 10th and 11th, and then of course D-day on the 12th.
Packing has been hard and there has probably been an unreasonable amount of tears. I don't really want to say goodbye to this place or my wonderful neighbors, Ginny, Jim, Amy and Bob, but I think it is the right decision. In Wisconsin, my family will be within a 3.5 hour drive radius and I have a good support system with friends in the general area. Oh, how I will miss this place though. I now truly understand why James Taylor sang so many songs about the Carolina's.
Alright, back to packing...
After a lot of thought, I decided I wanted the doctors I met with to be on my team--you, my dear reader, are also on my team, by the way. I have no idea of how long recovery will be or what the next year of my life looks like, so it became apparent that I would need to relocate to the great state of Wisconsin. Between appointments I was able to find an apartment in Wauwatosa, which is about 10 minutes from the hospital and 10 minutes from downtown Milwaukee (Wauwatosa, that's another new spelling word for me). Craig and Joanne, some dear friends I have in the Milwaukee area, helped with support, transportation, appointments, etc., and it was more of a blessing than I can begin to explain.
So where are we today? Well, surgery is scheduled for February 12th. I am currently in North Carolina packing up my house and saying goodbye (I flew back Monday evening), while my dad is driving down from Illinois. Saturday we will make the drive up to Wauwatosa. I have appointments February 4th, 5th, 10th and 11th, and then of course D-day on the 12th.
Packing has been hard and there has probably been an unreasonable amount of tears. I don't really want to say goodbye to this place or my wonderful neighbors, Ginny, Jim, Amy and Bob, but I think it is the right decision. In Wisconsin, my family will be within a 3.5 hour drive radius and I have a good support system with friends in the general area. Oh, how I will miss this place though. I now truly understand why James Taylor sang so many songs about the Carolina's.
Alright, back to packing...
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
3am
3am alarm clocks are just plain ungodly. I know because that's what time mine went off today. I rolled out of bed (after appropriately hitting snooze twice) and did the normal "final packing scramble" for my 5:20 flight. Charlie, Jamie's husband, took me to the airport, where reality and emotions about leaving Idaho and the situation in general turned me in to a hot mess for the 4:30am viewing pleasure of everyone at BOI. The 1 hour delay on the runway didn't help but at least they dimmed the lights on the plane.
Why Delta would schedule at flight at 5:20am out of Boise, Idaho in January is beyond me. Turns out de-icing for an hour prior to take off is not as fun as you would imagine. Good news though, the last 3 years have primed me to make a 20 minute connection like a boss.
I landed safely in Milwaukee at 11:30am and was greeted by Michelle (who I mentioned in my previous post). Michelle shared with me her experiences, connected me with doctors at Froedtert Hospital and gave me insight into some of the unknowns. I also had dinner with her and some of her friends with additional experience, insight and encouragement.
Tomorrow (Tuesday the 13th) afternoon I will meet with 2 different surgeons. My hope and prayer is that I will have clarity, direction and most of all peace with the best decision.
This is just a quick update and I will let you know more as I know more.... As always, the fact that you care truly means the world to me.
Why Delta would schedule at flight at 5:20am out of Boise, Idaho in January is beyond me. Turns out de-icing for an hour prior to take off is not as fun as you would imagine. Good news though, the last 3 years have primed me to make a 20 minute connection like a boss.
I landed safely in Milwaukee at 11:30am and was greeted by Michelle (who I mentioned in my previous post). Michelle shared with me her experiences, connected me with doctors at Froedtert Hospital and gave me insight into some of the unknowns. I also had dinner with her and some of her friends with additional experience, insight and encouragement.
Tomorrow (Tuesday the 13th) afternoon I will meet with 2 different surgeons. My hope and prayer is that I will have clarity, direction and most of all peace with the best decision.
This is just a quick update and I will let you know more as I know more.... As always, the fact that you care truly means the world to me.
Friday, January 9, 2015
November 21st, 2014
I actually had to call to follow up on my test results. That seems like a good sign, right? Wrong. 2 biopsies. 1 cancer, 1 blob of hair (yeah, I don't really know either, but I prefer a hair blob to a cancer blob any day).
It has been almost 2 months and I sill don't feel like it's real. Initially I was in and out of doctors offices getting examined and stabbed by what felt like a thousand needles. When the holidays got close there was just a lot of waiting for things to reopen. My dear friends Jamie and Charlie surely did not expect me come visit for Thanksgiving and stay until mid-January. At the very least they deserve a large trophy, but probably a puppy would be a more fitting choice.
Initially, surgery was going to take place quickly and in Boise, Idaho. The doctor in North Carolina who called to deliver the news to me said surgery should take place ASAP--prior to Christmas. Excellent. Who wouldn't want cancer for Christmas? I, however, did not have surgery prior to Christmas. There were many reasons, but the details are not particularly important at this point.
Around Christmas I was connected to Michelle from the Milwaukee, WI area who was diagnosed around the same age a few years ago. After talking with her and doing a lot of additional research I felt like I should get a second opinion to find out all of the options available. Michelle connected me to her doctors and on Monday, January 12th I will fly from Boise to Milwaukee and see doctors on Tuesday for a consultation.
As of now I do not have a lot of answers, but here is what I do know:
-I have the most common type of breast cancer.
-My genetic testing came back negative (which is a good thing for both me and my family).
-They will have to complete surgery prior to knowing what types of post treatment they will suggest.
-There are a few different types of surgery options likely available.
-I hate biopsies and anyone who tells you "they aren't that bad" is potentially crazy, and anyone who has had to endure many of them deserves a kitten.
-I have not been working since I was not able to keep up my travel schedule due to previously mentioned doctors appointments and stabbings. However, am thankful for my benefits through work and our short term disability program.
Speaking of thankful, I am beyond thankful for all of you--my friends and family. I feel genuinely cared for and support by each of you--thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Please do not ever feel helpless or like you are not doing enough. You are. I promise. I don't know how well I will be able to keep this page up, but I wanted to try to keep you with me on this unexpected journey...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)