Patti's Progress

Monday, October 19, 2015

YAY! Let's YEAR it for the girl!!!!

Patti's last doctor visit was a FABULOUS moment for her!

Here are a few details that really made her day:

Protein = Normal
Blood work = Looking good
Bone density = No changes

And the one sentence she really wanted to hear? Her next appointment with the doctor is in ONE YEAR from now, yes......A WHOLE YEAR!!!!

This is an exciting time for Patti as she can finally relax and know that her results indicate that she is doing very well, in a healthier state, and cancer-free!

Happy REAL Birthday Patti !!!!

Enjoy life as you've got a second chance at it my sista!

What
a
difference
a
YEAR
makes :-)

Look at all that hair!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

First "Cancer Free" Birthday!

Remember this post a year ago?

Happy 1st "Cancer-Free" Birthday to Patti!

Monday, July 6, 2015

Whew!

Patti had a tough week leading up to today. She discovered an unusual lump where she had her original surgery and needless to say, worried that it (the cancer) had returned.

She went in and had a ultrasound to look at this concern a little closer and the diagnosis from the doctor was that the implant margins were clear to see and that the bump Patti was concerned with is the implant and possibly the scar tissue within this area that is causing the bulge, but nothing else to be concerned with - can I get a YAY??!!??

Once the doctor said what Patti was hoping to hear, she asked if she could cry now as she had not slept all night, worried about the outcome and the sigh of relief was overwhelming.

Additionally, she was waiting by herself before the doctor came in, wondering where I was as I planned to be with her for this visit. I was on tour of the medical facilities visiting Aurora, the Cancer Care facility and finally, the Woman's Center.......in search of Patti! I did not know which facility she was getting this done, and thankfully found her just minutes before the doctor arrived to review the images and give her the news she wanted and waited to hear.........

Good news is NO! Nada! Yea!!!!!!!!!! NOT Cancer.......and yes, it made us say, "Whew!"

Rest easy my sista - ! All is good!

Sunday, June 28, 2015

It's sure been a while and that is usually a GOOD thing! Latest visit and update ......

The latest Mammogram shows all clear!

This was Patti's 2nd one since the original diagnoses.

On to other stuff:
Swelling and thick skin on the side of where she had the mastectomy (back of her arm pit and going down the side). Doc thinks it's lymphedema and she will need physical therapy to release the fluid build up if this diagnosis is correct. We will learn more next week when she sees the specialist who will verify this and determine a plan. She will also find out if a compression t-shirt will help. TBD...

Otherwise, everything else looks good and Patti is getting closer to her first cancer-free birthday!!! More on that in July :-)

Patti says, "They can't do a thing about the muffin tops I now have. I just have to take the bad with the good the anti estrogen pill gives me!"

And we'll take that as good.......cuz' we get to keep you here with us! Muffin tops and age go together.....we'll all be catching up with you sooner or later Patti :-)

Thursday, January 15, 2015

"Good news.......don't worry about anything....you are good!"

As most of you already know, Patti has been doing quite well in her road to recovery and has been slowly getting back into her normal routine.

This week, Patti had another set of tests done with 8 vials of blood taken....yes, I said 8!

Tests included FSH, Estrogen tests, and a bunch of other general labwork to take a good look at what is going on inside.

Naturally, Patti always gets nervous when she sees a call from the doctor or hospital, but this call and message has her walking on air!

She came home from work, began listening to the voicemail, which was from one of her favorite doctors (Dr. Divgi).

His message was sweet and to the point......and in the words of her doctor: "Good news Patti, don't worry about anything....you are good!"

Can I get a YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

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!!

Monday, July 28, 2014

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!!!!!!

Sunday, July 27, 2014

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!

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

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!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

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!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

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!).