Merry Christmas - Indeed!!!

Surgery went very well yesterday (12/23). I am home and feeling good. Dr. Mary just called and said that my pathology reports where coming in as she was leaving so she called to give me my christmas present.

It was a good idea to agree to an additional surgery to get better margins because when she got in there she found another very small tumor - couldn't feel it but it showed up in pathology. The good news is that this tumor was removed and we have ALL CLEAR margins!!! Yipee.

So now phase one is complete and I am off to see the Oncologist on January 4th. This appointment got moved from the 28th.

I am happy, feeling good and so very grateful for my family, all of you and the many many prayers that surround me!

Merry Christmas and Blessings to each of you!

June

Good News - Bad News

The good news is that the tumor wasn't as big as Dr. Mary anticipated. She removed 12 lymph nodes and 11 were clear of cancer. The one node that showed cancer cells was very minute and won't change my treatment plan. Surgery went well and was a breeze for me. The pre-op tests, injections and procedures were horrible.

The bad news is that the pathologist said that there are not clean margins on the tumor. This means that I will be going into surgery again to have more tissue removed on the interior lower area. I know that sounds yucky - but I don't have any lymph node procedures this time and that is good news to me.

Surgery is set for December 23rd - Merry Christmas!

I meet with Dr. Seligman the Oncologist from Pacific Oncology (out of OHSU but a Gresham Office) on December 28th to set up a chemo schedule and treatment plan. Then Dr. Panwalla the Radiologist/Oncologist for a Radation schedule.

So - as I mentioned in a previous posting - there are 4 steps to this. Step one is almost complete - after next surgery. Steps 2 and 3 are being created and step 4 to come.

My goal is to have this all done by my birthday. I don't think this is possible, but I do think I can have chemo done by my 50th on June 1st. If that happens, we are having one BIG party!!!

Mom is leaving in the morning - I will miss her being here taking care of me. Well I miss her being here - I don't like "having to" be taken care of. But - if she wasn't here - I would of gone to work last Friday. So yes, I am taking it easy and trying to "heal"

More to come - keep posted. Keep praying!
Much love,
June

update from Greg

Surgery went well yesterday per Doctor Mary. a great doctor[although a vegan,you'd think a smart doctor would know God gave us some pointy teeth for a reason.].a couple hours to remove a malignant spot and surrounding area and the removal of a few lymph nodes..the lymph nodes were tested on site and showed no evidence of cancer cells which was great news..early next week should give us the results of the malignant spot to assure that it was entirely removed. Probably radiation is the next step and hopefully no chemotherapy. June is home now and recovering with her mom trying to get her to follow doctors instruction because I know she won't listed to me or Ally.We'll be watching the DUCKS BEAT THE beavers at home tonight.Thanks for all your prayers and well wishes,candle lighting, etc..it must have worked ! We really don't have any immediate needs..unless you want to feed us..Thanks again

November is Gratitude Month~!

Well - Greg is off to MN/WI for a hunting trip!  Ally, her boyfriend Kyle and I leave on Wednesday to spend the thanksgiving holiday with my family.  Jessica will be driving (8 hours ) up from the reservation.

I am grateful that TIP's big Heroes with Heart event was a huge success!  I'm so glad it's over and went so well. We could not of done it without the help of some great people - espeically Danielle! 

As I anticipated, with the Heroes event over - it is hard not to obsess about what lies ahead.  I'm trying to stay positive.  Only a few major break downs so far!  Like when I got my new phone and I couldn't  figure out how to use the touch screen - which was the cause of a major emotional,  tear-filled morning last week. 

My Vitamin D bloodwork came back with no suprise that I am WAY low.  So now its 5,000 IU's a day so I can get my number up to 65 from 25, hopefully before surgery.  I continue to see my counselor and that is helping, along with my al-anon family that has been a huge support for 23 years. 

So - my pre-op appointment is Tuesday afternoon the 24th.  We return from MN on Monday the 30th, I have some final tests done on Tuesday, December 1st and Surgery is Wednesday the 2nd.  I will be at the Gresham Surgery Center for the operation and will be home that afternoon.  Then we just wait for pathology results.  Greg does know how to update this blog and has agreed to leave a post right after surgery.

Thank you for your continued prayers, positive thoughts and good wishes!

Love to all!
June

Ally Vining is amazing! PS - surgery date is set!

After many more doctor consultations we (I)  have made a decision to have surgery on December 2nd.

I am taking one step at a time.  I understand that there are 4 parts to the treatment of this cancer.  I may need all 4 or I may need only 2 - but none if that is known until surgery is complete.

Part 1 is Surgery itself.
Part 2 is Chemotherapy
Part 3 is Radiation
Part 4 is Hormone Replacement Therapy or ovary removal

We are going to MN for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Greg is going a week ahead of us to hunt with brother-in-law Rob.  He got the bug last year and I'm afraid we may be spending all Thanksgivings in MN from now on!!!  Thanks Rob - for that!

Jess is driving up from the Rosebud Indian Reservation to have Thanksgiving with the Johnson Family.  Ally, her boyfriend Kyle and myself will be back to Oregon on the 30th. 

I will have my pre-op stuff done on Tuesday, December 1st and then surgery on Wednesday, December 2nd. 

There will be a pathologist in surgery with Dr. Mary - so we will have an answer on any lymph node involvement right away.  The second test will come back in a couple of days and the final pathology report will take about 2 weeks.  From that report - we will know what the next step is.

I will be meeting with the medical oncologist before my trip.

My big work event on November 5th (Greg's birthday) is keeping me very focused and is a good distraction right now.  After that - it will be one day at a time to not freak out or obsess about what is ahead of me.

Please keep the prayers coming - for all of us....Greg and the girls too!

Much love,
June

All Doctor's-- All Week

Monday afternoon we met with a plastic surgeon for 2 hours. 
Tuesday the cancer counseloor
Wednesday morning with the Radiologist/Oncologist
Thursday back to Dr. Mary for more questions

I was informed yesterday that the "clinical study-radiation therapy" is not an option for me.  the Dr.'s are not happy with the results they have seen and decided to take it off the table for me!

So - more appointments - more questions - then decision making time.

Whatever surgery is chosen - it will happen the first week of December.

My Gratitude List

Ok - I feel myself starting to sink into that "why me" place and thought maybe if I spent some time on my gratitude it would help. 

I am grateful for:
My Faith - I know I "can" and I "will" walk through this to a healthier me!
My Family - Greg is very supportive and encouraging - the girls are my cheerleaders!
My Friends - You all know who you are - I love you!
My Work Family/Firends:  The great people that I work with and those that I work for. 
My Job/career - I love my job and know I am right where I am meant to be - it feels good!
My Pets - Nikki and Bella - who doesn't love a big wet, hairy dog panting and slamming its tail against your bed waking you up every morning and a small yippy dog to sleep with you at night! 
My Doctor:  Mary Barnhart is the best - and I feel surrounded by care, concern and comfort.

I feel better already!

It's Tuesday!

Well - the waiting is over and now time to digest all of the information.  Greg and I met with Dr. Mary for almost 3 hours today!  She was patient and did a great job of explaining, educating, informing and anwering questions.  Pathology reports were read by 4 separate doctors - all reports confirmed the same results.
Invasive Ductal Cancer!

Now we decide on surgery options/treatment.  The good news is that I have "time" to make a good educated decision.  Dr. Mary is coordinating a few consultations for me:  If I am a candidate for "clinical study" of a new type of radiation - I will meet with a Radiologist/Oncologist from one of the 3 Portland Hospitals that are offering/performing this procedure.  I will also meet with a Radiologist/Oncologist from a local hospital to discuss the benefits/risk factors of radiation.  The third meeting is with a plastic surgeon who does reconstruction surgery.  Once we have talked with these Dr.'s and met with Dr. Mary again - I will make a final decision on how to proceed.

More to come - thank you for your continued prayers!

gregs deep thoughts

kancer is STOOPID. good friends and family r the BEST. I will send this to cyberspace n see where it goes. If u r a nigerian royalty member who needs my help, a ukranian girl who wants a "friend" or sumone from indonesia who wants to improve my love life by enlarging parts of my body..thanks but no thanks..PS if you have a cure for cancer you can respond to this..or ask your God if he has one to hand out..that'd help. In lieu of that prayers are the only request that we have.thanks

Tuesday is the "BIG REVEAL"

Dr.'s office called and we are meeting with her on Tuesday morning.   She said to be prepared for 2-1/2 hours.  Tuesday seems like along time from now---but at that point they will have all results and a plan, schedule and direction in place for me and Greg.

Today is a new day!

Just got back from the hospital having had the PET Scan.

I'm sure I must be glowing because they said they got "great" pictures of me!

Now I wait! I wait to hear from the Dr. - I wait to hear about the stage of cancer - I wait to hear about how we fight this!

Another Speed Bump In My Life

While I love giving of myself to help others, and feel very fortunate to have the "career" that I am meant to have, I am destined to learn to "receive with grace".

Once again, I am faced with a life sitution that I would prefer to keep private. However, I also know that my faith along with the love and support of friends and family are what carried me through the darkest part of our family tragedy. Because I consider you all a part of my extended family - there is news that must be shared, no matter how personal the news.

On Monday, September 21st, I had my annual mammogram. I was feeling pretty good that everything has gone digital and I was done when the procedure was done - no more waiting. the technician said that I would hear from the Dr. if anything looked bad - otherwise everything is sent to my Dr. At noon that day, I received a call from my primary care physician explaining that the mamogram reports were not good and I needed to return for a biopsy of 3 small areas in my left breast. I scheduled the procedure for Monday the 28th. I left for the TIP Annual meeting on Wednesday the 23rd - determined to enjoy my very first visit to Disneyland - you know the happiest place on earth!

On Monday, September 28th, I had a core biopsy.
On Tuesday, September 29th, I received word from my doctor that I definately have malignant core cancer.
On Thursday October 1st, I had a Breast MRI. I did not tolerate this procedure well. I became quite ill and caused quite an emergency in the MRI area. The good news is I do not have aspiration induced pnemonia as they thought. The bad news is that they really did a number on my throat and vocal chords.

So where are things now:
Yesterday (10/5) I had a bone density test and chest x-ray. This morning I had blood work done. Tomorrow I have a PET scan.

Once my doctor get results from these tests, Greg and I will meet with her while she explains the best plan of attack.

In trying to find "balance" (keeping work at work and health at home so I have a choice on when to deal with it) I have created this blog to keep my situation updated and not wear me out with trying to keep everyone in the loop. This website will be updated regulary.

If you subscribe to it, you will automatically receive all updates. I can appologize now for any sense of humor you receive from my husbands postings or my friend Dawn!

You all know I have already faced and survived the most horrific tragedy one can endure, and I had no choice but to live it out publicly. This cannot be any worse than what myself and my family have already experienced. I ask your help in prayer and support.

I do have a great support group with a large family (even though they are 2,000 miles away) and close friends. Please feel free to send me emails and questions via this website.

The best thing you can do to help me, is to keep our mission of "Citizens Helping Citzens in Crisis" going.

With much love,
June