Puzzled........

Oops!  The night got away from me and I just missed the witching hour with a new day upon us.

Thursday was a long day for Patti.   Now that she is stuck at home and unable to work, she is finding ways to entertain herself by taking up an old hobby she used to do frequently....PUZZLES!

She put a wine bottle puzzle together today and found a few pieces missing - sounds like me after a few glasses of wine!  Hee hee:-)

Question of the day......where did they come up with the word, "Puzzle?"   I am simply puzzled by this....

Have a great Friday! 

PS........
For those who have not seen her pledge page, here is the link again:
http://www.titusrelay.com/participant/50345

A quite day.....

Patti was able to speak with her surgeon Dr. Prewitt today.  It looks like the surgery will be in the next two weeks (right after Labor Day weekend).  She will have to stay in the hospital for one night after the surgery.  The big decision on how her surgery will go is based on the results of the genetic testing.  This will dictate if a routine or double mastectomy is on order. 

So we wait.......but this is no where near the waiting we had last weekend - ugh :-/ 

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo GLAD that scary part is done!

Quiet day and one that I am certain Patti is enjoying, as am I.  A nice time out :-)

Sleep well my sista............

Whole lotta nothing...

Well.....after a day of stress, followed by tears of joy......we get a few days off! 
That's right  ............we can actually enjoy a few days of nothing! 

No doctor appointments, tests, or needles (her arm is still changing colors!)  We still have to get through the green and yellow colored shades of bruise yet (per the doctors assessment how the healing process works).  I think she's a closet Packer fan myself :-)

I never thought that Patti being bored would sound sooooooo good!

Happy Tuesday!

Enough Said!

Today was a very stressful day in waiting - waiting and MORE waiting for Patti.  Bet it was the longest day ever for her!

We met at the doctors office at the 3:15 s required.  Naturally, Patti was there before me and after a bit of convincing, the nurse escorted me back to her room.  When I got in there, the nurse just finished up the vitals and it was just her and I.  She was happy that I was there. 

We looked at each other and hugged - she was scared to hear the news.  I kept reminding her that all results given thus far have been positive (in a good way) based on this situation and that I was going to keep it positive.

The doctor came in and placed a report in front of Patti who naturally did not care to read it.  She smiles at Patti and says they found nothing else - YEA! 

Tears for everyone please.....Patti will have a double dose :-)  Patti immediately got up from her seat, thanked God, and requested hugs from the doctor an I. 

This was a very bright moment for Patti!!! 

The Impression (that means results in doctor terms) read, "FDG (whatever that means?) avid right breast mass (meaning that they see the same thing we found at the beginning and nothing more for now).  It followed with the final statement that I believe made Patti's day - life.... 

No evidence of metastatic disease.........ENOUGH SAID!

Here is what she looked like when we were done hugging in the parking lot............A Good Day for Patti and for all of us :-)  Time to rest my mind and take a moment to sigh - glad this part is over!

One Pet Scan "to go!"

Yes, this is where Patti received this fancy test today - in a mobile CT/PET unit!

Today was the day that Patti has been a bit stressed about and glad it's done!  She was banned from carbs, smoking and lastly, no food for 6 hours prior to her test.  Patti can get very cranky when she's hungry!

Some may ask, What is a Pet Scan?" 

First off, I will tell you that it is not a picture of your furry friend :-)

A Pet Scan is a very accurate diagnostic review of your entire body by use of digital imaging.  It looks for changes in body organs and to detect if cancer is present anywhere within the body.   They injected Patti with a solution that has fancy name for glucose and a bit of radioactive solution.  With the IV in place, Patti had to lay still and remain completely calm and rest her body for about 45 minutes.  This rest period allows the solution to process throughout her system and will target the active cells in her body.  The test will look for activity such as cancer and inflammatory cells, as glucose excites cancer and will light it up like a beacon during the testing.  And we wait ..again:-/

Funny moment - Patti received a note after the exam that made her chuckle.  It said the following, "To be extra safe, wait for a few hours before getting too close to an infant or anyone who is pregnant" YIKES!  She was Radioactive!  All I could think of is that song from the 80s by The Firm and said to Patti, "You Glow Girl!" 

On a serious note, tomorrow is a BIG day for Patti.  This test will determine many things, including her surgery plan and possibly a date.  Although we are very hopeful that the diagnosis will not change and allow Patti to prepare to get this cancer out so she can move on with life, we also ask that you take a moment and say a prayer for her.  My goal is to provide a great update and a plan on the blog tomorrow, and to keep doing what we have been doing - going forward :-)

A day of rest - YEA!

Today, Patti got the day off.  No needles, no scans, no scheduled events or scary stories - YEA!  Just a nice relaxing day with no migraines and a bit of some well needed sleep!  Patti had a  pretty good day today....other than her arm, as it is still bruised from what should have been a routine blood draw (ouch!)

Tomorrow Patti will start the no carb diet for 24 hours (she is not pleased with this plan as she loves her carbs!).  Just what she needed........more habits to quit - ugh :-/  This has to be done in preparation of her Pet Scan.

You may be asking yourself, is this "Pet" scan is being done because she's a Dog Mom?
Okay, okay....that was a bit "ruff!" (hee hee :-) 

Stay tuned!

The testing continues .......

Wednesday 8-14-2014
Patti continues the path of testing in preparation of the surgery.  We started the day with the Plastic Surgeon and learned that Patti will probably be facing a mastectomy. This is due to the size of the tumor versus breast size and the void it will leave.   

Patti then went to the Genetic Counselor where blood was drawn from the wrong arm.  Apparently, when you have breast cancer, the rules are to not to draw blood from the arm that is on the same side as the cancer - UGH :-/  Patti is bruised and she says it still hurts today.  The testing they will perform using this blood will tell us if Patti carries the cancer gene.  It will also determine if a double mastectomy is necessary, as the rate for cancer in those who carry this gene is 87% positive, with a recurrence of breast cancer greater than 50% positive.  Now we wait and pray......................

Next on the testing path is the Pet Scan on Sunday 8/18/13.  Stay tuned!

Keep up the good work in being Patti's cheerleader, as it REALLY lifts her spirit!  The power of keeping it positive in thoughts and prayer :-)

 

Patti’s Journey Begins……………..

In order to keep everyone posted on Patti's journey, we decided to open this blog.  This will help all of us to know how she is doing each day, and will keep everyone posted on the road to surgery, the surgery, and the recovery.  Be sure to check back on Patti's Progress blog daily !!!!

This first note will be a bit long as I have some catching up to do!

Read on......

As all of you know, Patti has always been a VERY giving, spirited individual to all she has come in contact with.  Whether it be to help in finding a lost dog,  to help a family member get through a tough situation, to donate money to a need, even when she had nothing to give, or to simply be there to support you in whatever it is, she always extended her hand and faith to help all of us through something in our life.

Today, as I prepare to create a “Get Well Patti” blog, a “Breast Cancer” fund raiser to get her through this terrible event, and a request for support and prayers, I realize that I have to be the luckiest one in all to have her on my team every day.   For all she has done and without worrying about the cost, time, effort, it’s our time to give back – support, love, prayers, and help!

The story so far.....

July 26^th – The mammogram was done and it did not look positive for us.  We held    onto hope and had the next step scheduled – the biopsy. 

 July 29^th – the biopsy was complete.  Patti did not like this part at all L. Who does!?!  The doctor caring for Patti was fantastic, explaining the process to assure Patti that he was going to take care of this – insurance or not!

July 31^st - Patti was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Although some of the tests show a positive result in a good way, we still do not know the entire story.  More testing will done, followed by surgery in the next weeks to come.   No date set yet.

August 1st and 2nd - the insurance concerns rise with LOTS of calls, questions, and the hope of helping Patti get some sort of coverage.

Fast forward >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

August 5th through August 8th - Patti continued to work with many coordinators to determine if she qualifies for medical coverage.

YEA!  They are willing to help!

August 9th - Here we go.......  Met with the Oncology Radiologist to discuss the process and begin to understand the paths that Patti "may" have to take.  All of this is totally dependent on the outcome of the surgery (what they find when they remove the disease). 

A lasting moment on this day and a testament to how God works for us - Patti was discussing the process with the doctor and began to tear up, talking about her fear with this mess and how God is the one strength keeping her going.  As Patti stated she was a Christian, the doctor and her looked at each other and both began to tear up and began to talk more about the power of the BIG guy up there - WOW....

Fast Forward >>>>>>

August 13th - MRI and "Meet the Oncologist" day.  We met with another doctor involved (go figure) and talked more about how things will go.  LOTS TO ABSORB .....AGAIN. 

GOOD MRI NEWS at 4pm today - the MRI did not show any abnormalities in the lymph nodes - YEA!  This is not the final result, as the pathology from surgery will give a final diagnosis of the lymph nodes however, this is a REALLY GOOD SIGN !!!!!!

Other details we learned today:  The cancer is Stage 2, the size is 1.5 inches or 3.75 cm in size, and there are no other lesions present.

With Patti being a self-employed business owner, there will be many hardships to come for Patti and Mike, both emotionally and financially.     

·         Patti will not be able to work for an extended period of time after the surgery, regardless of what procedure they perform, nor will she obtain any financial support due to being self-employed.

·         She will need help throughout this process by family and friends, just as she has given to us over the years, and in short notice.  

·         Good things…..Patti is working with her Breast Care Coordinator “Mary Kay” to work through these logistics.  This coordinator has been so helpful in providing Patti with answers that are real and directly related to Patti’s situation. 

·         We all have stories and each are unique – Patti’s will be another success story for all to follow as we go through this Journey together.

·         Regardless of all that, the surgery will happen and soon!

As many will want to tell Patti about their story on their version of this evil illness…….we ask that you send only positive thoughts and well wishes to Patti at this time.  It’s a scary process and she needs to here the good things, as that is the only way she will get through this with a healthy mind and spirit – VERY IMPORTANT for healing.   

If you find it within your heart to help, a monetary gift is appreciated to assist in helping with Patti’s expenses.  All donations (no matter how small or large) will help while she fights the battle of her life.  There is a donation page set up on Patti's behalf through the same site where she has raised lots of money to help others - go figure! 

If interested, you can go to the following website that we set up at the beginning of this journey:

http://www.titusrelay.com/participant/50345

Ideally, checks are preferred to avoid processing fees and also ensures all of the support funds goes directly to Patti.