A Clinical Journey August 7-September 14 - let the healing begin!

Thursday August 7

Basic mammogram at Ascencion Col/St Mary’s in Ozaukee. Lovely visit with the sweet nurse. She said I'd probably get a call the following week with results. Which gave time to pack prep and even maybe process a bit of sad for our little Barney before leaving for Lake Geneva Show. Nope. They called the next morning for me to schedule a follow up on August 20th at the Lake Drive Location. We had an idea of how tihis would go...but no idea it would become a full time job. Lots of calls, lots of scheduling, lots of pre-check in's and insurance blech. Grateful for good insurance tho. I immediately cleaned up my diet. No caffeine/alcohol and more greens and veggies than you can imagine!

Wednesday August 20

The visit went well. Nurses are super supportive at this place. I had another mammogram and an ultrasound. Radiologist on site already came in the room after reading the ultrasound and basically told me he was pretty sure it was not benign but a biopsy would confirm this. Nurse coordinator Stephanie was great. She detailed the biopsy proceedure and scheduled me for Friday the 22nd. Two days later.

Friday August 22

Prep was easy. Local anesthetic, a small incision and 5 samples were taken with ultrasound. I watched the whole thing on the ultrasound screen while she did it. The doctor and two nurses were in the room holding my hand. The healing was pretty smooth for this. Just limited lifting and watching out for anything unusual.

Waiting....

Results came on Monday August 25th when I got a call from my new “Breast Friend” Jen the Nurse Coordinator. She has called and kept me informed every few days since to keep me updated, which I’ve appreaciated greatly.

Results: Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. Stage 2a. Her2 Negative with a #48 growth rate (from 1-100)

Talk of an MRI is next to determine what the next steps will be, but they are mentioning a potential lumpectomy with radiation at this point. The Her2 negative status, I was told, would mean no chemo. MRI scheduled for Sept 5.

Waiting....

Meanwhile after a Dr Appointment with Dr Fox (primary care) I filled him in on the deets. He had great recommendations to possibly get a second opinion, check on genetic testing of biopsy and ordered 11 vials of blood to test for heavy metals in case of environmental toxins, along with my annual blood panel. 11 vials were taken on Thursday September 4th.

That evening I had a blissful evening energy therapy appointment with Jerry Becker (the wizard of what was Kanyakumari) Jerry has a good protocol before and after surgery and will come to the hospital afterwards to clear the anesthesia and my field. He has given me excellent yoga recommendations and told me to keep citrine close to the site. ;) He recommended throwing rocks into the water on our upcoming trip to Door County for the anniversary weekend. We did lots of “feet in the grass” “toes in the sand” too per his recommendation. The weekend was fantastic we gave so much to nature, climbed a lighthouse and let it all go at the top. Much rock tossing, skipping and toes in the sand for us. It was perfect.

Friday September 5

MRI at Asension on the Lake (different building) I was told it would be 1 hour, no jewelry, deodorant or lotions. My arm was already brusied up from the blood draw so the MRI technician tried my other arm to start the IV for the contrast. He attempted two on my other arm before needing to call in “Shirley”, a veteran in this department, who proceeded to get the vein instantly on my one last potental IV site. whew. Now I’m a human pincushion.

Waiting...

Meanwhile, I contacted my friend Tara (who worked in Froedert for 19 years) to see how I’d go about getting a second opinion. She called her contact and they called me back within an hour. I was given a list of surgeons to choose from. Much research was done on the two Tara recommended from the list. Dr Kong was my choice. She has done breast surgery for 19 years. Very credentialed. So I scheduled a consult with her for Tuesday September 9th.

Monday September 8

Results of MRI came in just before the week of allllll the Dr visits. It showed no lymph activity or spread to other breast so that was positive. I was told by Ascension that they would recommend a mastectomy since the lump was too large for a lumpectomy. Single or double, my choice. So I sat with this info until our visit with Dr Kong the next day.

Tuesday September 9

We met Dr Kong at her Mequon office. More exams, etc. She had a very positive no nonsense approach to it all. She mentioned a potential clinical trial with an effective pill to slow stop or shrink the lump. Surgery would potentially be in tandem with the plastic surgeon. She drew out a diagram and basically called the surgery a “breast reduction.” It would entail two surgeries a week apart. One with her and one with the plastic surgeon to “move things around” after the lump is removed. Slight possibility of chemo depending on biopsy of lump and then definite radiation. The Clinical trial pill taken two weeks before the surgery might change this tho if it shrinks the lump. We felt very good about the visit. Scheduled 5 other visits with the Froedert team through the next two weeks. (So now we have 5 doctors at both Ascension and Froedert on hand.... I feel cared for but a little dizzy from the thought of it) The next day we will meet all 5 at Ascension in one big long overwhelming visit. Nice to be able to see them all at one time. All Drs assured us that outcome looks very positive.

Wednesday September 10

We arrived at Ascension on the lake (yet another building) at 7:45 am went into the treatment room and waited as one by one the Surgeon, the radiologist, the oncologist, the social worker & the genetic counselor all came in and asked many questions, poked, prodded and fondled and took all of my genetic information. Its really too much info to translate here (each described their process thoroughly) but the Ascension surgeon now also gave the option for plastic surgery as well as mastectomy. (Froedert gives them a run for their money) The geneticist will give us results of allllll the 48 possible gene mutations this week including BRCA and the Lynch Syndrome (colon, uterine & renal) that was once called the “Bogenschultz gene.” Prevalent on the Salm side of our family. A few things are pending on both the genetics of “me in general” and the genetics of the lump itself. We are still waiting on both of those phone calls. All

Then another perfectly timed blissful evening energy therapy appointment with Jerry Becker.

Thursday September 11

Was another follow up visit with my primary (Dr Fox). He wanted to hear the latest news and follow up on my bloodwork (which was better than ever...thanks Broc Shot!) My numbers are great in all arenas with no sign of any heavy metals from my clay. He still recommended a PET scan to get the best imaging but was a big fan of both the super powered broccoli powder (Broc Shot) I’ve been taking (Sulforaphane high powered antioxidant and anti inflamatory in broccoli. One shot = 5 lbs of the green stuff!) And the mushroom supplement as well.

Many Docs thus far have assured me that I am youngish & otherwise very healthy. lol

Next week (September 17 & 18th) will be A meeting with The Froedert oncologist who heads up the clinical trial and another ultrasound at Froedert so Dr Kong can get a better look. She was not happy with the one Ascension took and also pointed out left & right errors in the wording on the summary. Eek. Something NO ONE wants messed up EVER.

September 22 & 25 are meetings with the Froedert Plastic Surgeon (he came highly recommended) and then the Radiologist on the 25th.

Surgery still pending but planned for October.

Until then I am carrying the "Trust Egg" and living in the moment. One day at a time. Walking the wisdom of The Bezert.

Sprinkle in MANY lovely calls, texts and visits from family & friends as this information has been slowly eeped out. I appreciate the thoughtfulness & respect I've been given by everyone. I’ve kept the circle as tight as possible in an effort to get only positive thoughts of support and lots of love. No worries at all! ;)

Tim has been AMAZING. By my side holding my hand, taking notes and asking the good questions. He's been my rock as usual. Mason has been super supportive. Extra “Mason-Sized” hugs are very healing for my heart!

I'm pouring a lot of THIS into my new creations for the group show at UWM Union Gallery called Beautiful Bodies. How perfect is that? My work for this show as been a breath of fresh air for me, It keeps me sane, It is not added stress. ;) The show opens October 10th from 5-7pm.