Resting at home

I was able to go home yesterday and I am happy to be home!  Yesterday morning I was still dizzy and nauseated.  My status improved quickly after the IV pain medication was removed.  Now we just need to wait and pray that the margins were clear and I won't need more surgery!

...and we're home

I guess I left yesterday's post on kind of a cliffhanger.  I mentioned that Kara might be staying overnight, and then didn't follow up.  Now for the thrilling conclusion:

We did indeed stay overnight.  This was because the lymph nodes were removed as well.  I am personally relieved that Kara stayed overnight-- she got outstanding care and the stay let her get over some dizziness and nausea.  My parents put harvest on hold for the evening, and drove up to watch Ted.  I slept in the room as well-- to maintain my dignity, I will omit the part of the story where I fell off the air mattress.

Kara made great strides throughout the morning.  After lunch, she was ready to come home.  The advantage of living four blocks from the hospital is that the journey was a short one.

Done with surgery

They just completed the surgery.  Dr. Dierking just told me that everything is done and went well.

To ensure that the cancer is completely removed, they will send the lump away for testing.  The goal is to have a wide "margin" of healthy tissue around it-- almost like a layer of insulation.  On Tuesday we find out if the margins were wide enough.  If they were, then there will be no more surgery and it's on to the next step.  They also removed lymph nodes on the right side.

Pastor Chuck stopped by to see how everything was going.  It was nice to talk with him for a while.

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Dierking and BVRMC.  The surgery facilities are wonderful and the staff is great.  The supportive words and messages we've received from our friends, family and colleagues have also meant a lot to Kara and me.

Kara is in a recovery room right now, and I'll probably get to see her in half an hour.  I guess there's a chance she'll stay overnight-- we shall see.  Right now I'm just glad that the surgery went well-- hopefully the cancer is all gone!

Cancer is a hair ball from a cat

I've explained the cancer to Will as something that is in my body that shouldn't be there, and the doctor will take it out.  Yesterday when we were driving in the van to get Ted, Will asked me: what did the doctor need to take out?  I told him that it was just a ball of something that shouldn't be there.  Will responded with, "It is probably a fur ball from a cat.  Cats make fur balls and they shouldn't be in your body.  Mom you should stop petting cats!"  

Fast forward half an hour.  I'm making supper and Will is watching his program.

Will, in a matter of fact voice:  Mom you have breast cancer and that is sad.

Me:  Yes, but the doctor will take it out.

Will:  You will be okay, Mom.

Tomorrow is surgery and we will have to wait until next Tuesday to find out if I will need more surgery.  Tonight I am praying for my doctors and nurses, and trying to stay focused like Will.

Meal Train

Everyone has been very generous offering to bring meals to our family.  I have set up a meal train account that can also be used for offers of transportation to my radiation treatments and child care for Will and Ted.  I have only set up one week since we still need to meet with the oncologist and that will happen after surgery.

Here is a link to meal trainMeal train website

More details from MRI and offers of meals

I can't believe how important the special dye pushed MRI results are to the determination of treatment.  These results mean that I know going into surgery EXACTLY what will happen and it won't be a surprise when I wake up!  Praise the Lord that we have the MRI technology here in Storm Lake, IA!  It was really challenging to stay so still for the long length of time needed to get accurate MRI results, but it was well worth it!

People have been graciously volunteering to bring meals.  What a Blessing!
I wanted to let people know that Will has a milk allergy, so he can't have milk in any form (baked into bread, or cheese, or real butter.

•  I can't use cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup (anything with milk). 
• Barilla Tomato and Basil or Light Ragu Tomato &Basil are two types of spaghetti sauce that do NOT contain cheese.
• Buns from the Farway bakery department (the actual bakery) do NOT contain milk the Fareway brand buns DO contain milk.
• Oroweat sandwich rounds and Oroweat potato bread does not contain milk
• Ritz crackers do not contain milk
• Blue Bonnet Light does not contain milk

I always double check whatever I purchase to make sure it does not contain whey, milk, or cheese, butter...

MRI Results

Today we got good news. Kara called Dr. Dierking's office this morning and got the results of the MRI. It confirms the original report-- the mass hasn't spread and the cancer is contained in the mass.

This means that the treatment will probably be a lumpectomy, followed by radiation. We are incredibly pleased with this news.

Wait, wait, wait

People have been asking, but we are still waiting to learn the results of the MRI.  I am praying for more good news.  In the mean time I am working hard to get things organized at school.  It is so hard for me to plan, plan, plan, and know that I'm not the one that is going to get to do this with the students.  I want to be there!
My coworkers have been invaluable in my preparation for a sub.  I know that they will do what they can to help in my absence.

Will is loving second grade!  He loves being in Mrs. Dewerff's class and is happy he has so many friends in his class!  I am happy for Will that he is having such a positive start to his school year.  Tomorrow is the first full day of school for Will, so it is probably good that tomorrow is Friday.

First Day of School

Today was Will's first day of 2nd grade. His teacher said he had an excellent day and even helped comfort another student. (The boy was new to the district and didn't speak English very well.)  I'm so glad that Will was able to start back to school today.  This afternoon Will and cousin Audrey went to the park.  Alys and Audrey will leave tonight.  They will both be missed.  Alys and Audrey have not only helped clean and organize, but help make the days of waiting between appointments a little easier. 

I really do appreciate all of the prayers, words of encouragement and offers of help.  Ryan and I can't take this journey without the help and support of our friends and family.  

A little good news

Today we met with Dr. Dierking.  He had been detained and was late for our appointment, but his news was relatively good.  The pathology report indicates favorably that the mass hasn't spread.  Today I had a dye injected MRI to make doubly sure that the cancer hasn't spread.  We are optimistic about treatment, but we are now waiting for the MRI results.

Surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday, August 29.

Having Alys and Audrey stay with us for a few days has been such a blessing.  Will has really enjoyed playing with his cousin and Alys has really been helping me organize the house.  We have really needed this distraction while we wait for our appointment on Tuesday.

Last night while I was watching the wrap-up of the Iowa State Fair talent, it occurred to me that I watched the Billy Riley Talent wrap-up the night before I started teaching at Omaha Public Schools. I had been a local judge that summer at the Britt talent competition.  That summer two girls from the Britt competition went on to win 2nd place over-all!  I was so proud of those girls.  As I was watching from my new apartment in Omaha I was scared of the unknown, just as I am now.  Even though we face many unknown factors in our life there are some constants in our life to help us stay grounded.

Today we returned Alys's rental car to the Hertz center in Spencer.  Since it was a rainy day it was nice to just walk through Menard's and eat at the Pizza Ranch.  Ryan took Audrey and Will to his office while Alys, Ted, and I rested.  I also indulged myself in a haircut.  Alys and I went to Fareway tonight and I purchased meat for the freezer that we can prepare in the crockpot.  Alys was very impressed with the friendly staff at our local Fareway!

Will has been having fun with Audrey and it has been a nice diversion for our family to have visitors in the house.  Too bad Alys and her family live soooo far away!

My sister, Alys, and her daughter, Audrey, will be arriving today.  I am overjoyed at their impending arrival! Today I pray Alys and her family have safe travels, my mother finds strength and healing through physical therapy, and Ryan's parents have a safe harvest season.

Happy Friday!

I returned to school today and I am very tired. It was a physically and emotionally draining day. I am now trying to organize the house before next Tuesday.  My sister and her daughter will arrive tomorrow to help our family for a few days.  We are looking for a way for Alys and Audrey to travel to the Omaha airport on Thursday, August 23 to meet a 1:30 flight.  If anyone will be traveling to Omaha and able to take them to the airport or knows of a place where we can rent a car, in the Storm Lake area, we would appreciate any assistance.

As we look toward BVU football we know that we will need help with Will and Ted while Ryan runs the scoreboard.
Dates Available September 1, October 6, October 13, October 27, and November 3

Thank you for everyone's kind thoughts and prayers and offers of help!

Rather than posting information on face book, Ryan and I will try and keep up-to-date information available for our family and friends on this blog.  Today we went to the Oncology department at BVRMC and met with a nurse.  She was emphatic that we should only look to the next step.  No two cases are the same and at this point we really don't know what my treatment will look like, or if I will even need treatment past surgery.  All we can do is wait for my surgery consult appointment on Tuesday.

My sister and her daughter are planning to come and stay with us for a few days at the end of this week.  I am overjoyed by this news!  I wish that she lived closer!

Everyone's encouragement and offers of help mean so much to us. We know that we can't do this alone!  Thank you everyone for your prayers and support!