Blood, Bones and Scans - OOOhhh scary....NOT!

Patti had her body scanned again (similar to the PET scan she had about a year ago) to check for Myeloma, which is some form of cancer in the bone.

 

She also had blood work done as a recheck to something they "thought" they saw in the initial blood work at the beginning of September. 

 

In other words, she is free of cancer from head to toe with that said, she's and good to go.

         Enough said!

     Happy Halloween!!

The results are in!

Patti is celebrating her new birthday (July 28th!)........the day she got the news that there is NO evidence of metastatic disease! (Aka no cancer!)

Enough said - yea!!!!!!

Scan complete.......and so we wait

Patti had her CT scan done on Friday and we wait........

She was very anxious about all of this and rightfully so! With that said, I found a nice distraction while had the hour for this process to set in before the test.......cmh extraordinaire (aka the hospital gift shop!) 

As Patti drank the nasty stuff to light her up on the inside for the test (FYI - never offer her fruit punch again-still-yet)....we shopped and really had fun with what they have to offer! Check out our mod and very oversized matching shades :-)

Stay tuned as we all wait for the results and pray for good results as well!

The best news yet? Just say NO!

To cancer.

Another scary moment and thank God the result is what we hoped and prayed for!

About a week of so ago, Patti had found two odd, but pronounced small bumps above the area where she had the mastectomy. 

Today, Patti met with one of her cancer doctors (Dr. Bove). After a review of the area of concern, the doctor ordered a mammogram and ultrasound.  Luck of the draw, a cancellation had just occurred at the clinic/hospital, which gave Patti the opportunity to get both of these tests done immediately!

The results:

• The mammogram revealed no change from the previous check (almost a year ago!).
• The ultrasound was able to detect the two odd bumps she detected and the doctors say they do not appear to look like cancer (YEA!). They actually look like they may are fluid filled. The margins are very defined and the spots are black (as seen in the ultrasound photos - sorry, we could not take them with us)

Next steps:
Needle biopsy on Monday 7/7/14 to take a sample and determine what these little guys are. We are confident that it is not cancer....but the doctor wants to be 100% with Patti....we sure appreciate it!

More to follow after the biopsy and results (should know by the end of next week).

I took this picture of Patti and I right after this event, as I think it's important to capture her face and feelings when prayers are answered. As they say, a picture is worth a 1,000 words! Need I say more?

This is what "NO Cancer" looks like  - YEAAAAAA!

 

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!

 



The Relay is on!

Good morning to all!
It's been a while since we posted on Patti's Progress and that is for a great reason.....she is doing well! 

                          Can I get a "YEAAAAA!!!"

Today is a great day for Patti. She had the opportunity to do her usual walk with DJ for a charitable cause. Patti selected W.A.A.G.R. (Wisconsin Adopt A Golden Retriever) in honor and memory of her Gabe and our Rebel......a great organization with fantastic, loving dogs. 

Amazing that a woman like Patti, going through so much in the past year, continues to give back, We can all learn something from Patti's Progress story. You go sista! Keep amazing us!

Have a great day Patti - a relay, a Titus celebration, and an exciting graduation (yea Austin)......it's going to be a long day for you my sista!

I thought it would be great to share photos that I took as I waited for her to arrive at the first checkpoint for the Titus Relay:



Happy Birthday Gracie!

Teamwork!

Thanks for running the event DJ

Nourishment for Patti and Grace waiting at the finish line :-)

Here they come!

Sister support!

A nice day for a relay.....

The end of the walk was in site.......

Patti and Grace are done. Next up? DJ and Jim!

The first of many relay checkpoints completed!

Patti goes to work!

Good morning to all.
Today is a new day for Patti - one she has been anxious, nervous, and excited about.......her first attempt to get back into the working world!

She is worried about her mobility and if she will be able to manage her old friend.....paperhanging by Patti, as this is a physical job and she is still in recovery mode.

A special shout out to Mike, who will be there with her to help with, and possibly have to finish the job, as Patti will probably tire a bit easier than in the past.

I ask everyone to say a little prayer for her today, and to really check in with Patti later tonight on..............."Patti's actual progress!"

To Patti:  I know today is exciting and a little scary for you sis.  Don't worry......take it slow and you will be fine.  I know you have what it takes - just got to do what you always say......Have faith :-)

Have a great 1st day as you roll back into it, and we all wish you smooth transition and hope this pattern continues (couldn't help but add a few of her paperhanging terms to this message!).



                                    

Let's all celebrate......there's a new SURVIVOR in town - Patti!

  



A sweet friend from the treatment center

Waiting for Patti to come out from the last treatment :-)

The "Feel Good" song awaits her! 



Here is how Patti looked as she came out of treatment for the last time!



Patti's Treatment Team at the Cancer Center

A special surprise......

Certificate of completion - A Survivor!

.....and we dance!

.....and sing!

A NEW day for Patti - CANCER FREE!

Dancing to James Brown (Dale - this was for you!)

No more chin straps!

This is what a patient gets to do when they are officially done....

Ring the chimes to let everyone know you are DONE with this!

Hugs from her team - celebrating another success!

Sisters - Best Friends - Support System......

Cheerleader......

Celebration!

Her certificate!  Off we go shopping to buy a frame for this baby!





A beautiful sister on a beautiful new day!



The Chimes say it all!

  

A balloon flies outside of her home today - It's her day!

The "YEA" sign in the front window - shout it out to the world!

Happy Endings can happen!

Patti Cakes - how Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Patti and I had a great evening with a nice dinner at Su Casa's, followed by fun at the Dollar Store (Patti can share more on that with you - hee hee.....let's just say that we were silly, but helpful :-)

Patti loved those cute cupcake carriers as this will help her in carrying her special treat to the Cancer Center tomorrow morning.  This is her farewell gift to many of those who have touched her heart :-) 

We ended the night with our beautiful creations - cupcakes for tomorrow! 

As you can see on the photos, there are little breast cancer logos on the frosting, along with a hint of pink (sugar) for color.  The paper cups also have the breast cancer logo on them as well. These trendy decorations on Patti's treat for tomorrow are compliments of Mike and Kristin (Ochs) Perez!

 

Patti's BIG day is finally here - YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Drum roll please..............

 

MORE  DAY - YEA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Exciting updates from Patti: Focus on the scar and collar relief!

Wednesday 4/16 - her last day of full radiation around all areas except the collar - YEA!  Patti is thrilled, as the collar area has taken quite the beating (very red and a lot of discomfort).

Final steps.....the 5 day plan :-)  
Starting Thursday 4/17 (and for her last 5 days of her treatment....yes, 5 days!),  the radiation team will focus ONLY on the scar area where the cancer was physically removed.  This means that Patti can finally start healing and give her body that well needed rest from that awful redness.

OMG - we're talking 5 days..........WOW! 

Just think.....we started this venture 247 days  ago with a mammogram, and 5 days later official confirmation of cancer.

Now we are down to 5 days again, but this time it's exciting, as this will be when we can say, "Happy New Day" to Patti - the day she can begin to focus on that thing called life again.....what a fabulous thought! 



                                                          

 

 Like a Rock Star!!

 

Here is how I think Patti will feel as she ventures into that crummy cancer center for what we hope and pray will be her last time.......

 

Everyone will want to be her on April 23rd.....her last day of treatment :-) 

A great day for sure!!

So Close.....can ya feel it!!??!