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 26th
– 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 29th – 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 31st - 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:
Ideally, checks are preferred to avoid processing fees and also ensures all of the support funds goes directly to Patti.
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