First off I would like to say I think my phone almost broke today from all the texts, phone calls, emails and face book posts. Holy cow! THANK YOU for all your support. Thank you to Leah who brought us dinner this week. You know the way to my heart. =) Delicious!
Today's report is the best news I have heard in 7 days. I have breast cancer but it has not spread. ALL YOUR PRAYERS WORKED! I can't begin to tell you how relieved I am right now. I am not saying it is going to be a breeze after this but at least we can just focus on one area. Dr. Grange did say that she is questioning my lymph nodes. If it has spread to 4 or more then I will have radiation in addition to chemotherapy.
I have always wanted a boob job but I would never have the guts to get one. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR! I am having a double mastectomy and instead of my A cup I asked if I could go up a size to a B. I figure if I am going to feel like crap for the next 6-8 months why not give myself a gift and have our insurance pick up the tab. Steve just requested a C...hmmm....I am going to have to think about that one. This surgery is 4 weeks of recovery...UGH! Thank you mom, dad, Angie and Dave for offering to help me with the kids.
It gets better...I get a new hairdo too! After I have the double mastectomy it will be followed up with 2-6 months of Chemo (depending on what they find with my lymph nodes). So, yes all my hair will fall out. THANK YOU Brea for referring me to a place who offers free wigs to cancer patients.
If 4 or more lymph nodes are affected then it will be 5-6 weeks of radiation after the chemotherapy. If they are not infected then we get to skip this step.
I met some great people up at Lakeside. Thank you to Collette, Patty, Katie (CT Tech) and Jaymi (Nuclear Medicine Tech). Jaymi was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago in May and I grilled her on the experience she had with her chemo treatments, mastectomy and how she feels today. She has short hair now, looks and feels great! My goal is to be where she is one year from today....new hair, new ta ta's and cancer free!
Thank you to my husband Steve for all your love and support. It was fun spending time with you today.
Love you! XOXO
Great news Emily! I've been thinking of you all day! Well, if you need a reference of a good boob dr. I got one for ya ;) Oh, and if you are interested, I have a cute wig that I would love to give to you. It's long brown hair with some blonde highlights. Let me know if you're interested and it's all yours girl! Thanks for keeping us posted. So glad you got some uplifting news today :) Angie(Giovanni)Ross
ReplyDeleteJulianne McHale Spatz
ReplyDeleteEmily- I was so relieved to hear your news yesterday about the extent of the cancer. You have constantly been in my thoughts. What I would like to do (unless someone else has already thought of this) is start a sign up sheet for your friends to bring you and your family dinner on the days following your surgergy and on days you have chemo. Diana suggested I create an "event" on Facebook and try to reach as many friends of yours as possible. Please let me know if this is okay with you. Also, it would be helpful to get a schedule of your chemo dates (when you get it) as well as foods/restaurants you and your family like or dislike. Thanks!
David Kuskie
ReplyDeleteEmily, I've kind of come to the message train a bit a late. I'm sorry to hear about the health concerns. You're a wonderful human being, and a strong confident woman, and I have no doubt that you can beat this. You (and your family) are in my thoughts and prayers. Best of luck to you for a speedy, healthy recovery. Take care of yourself, and do your best to maintain a positive attitude. I wish you all the best.
Quinn Hogan
ReplyDeleteCharlie sheen said it best when he said the scoreboard doesn't lie, and it won't in this case I know you will come out on top. When I heard the news I immediately remembered the card you sent me. Still have it in fact right next to my bed. That was so very thoughtful and unexpected. I should have thanked you earlier. So thank you, I know this is just a bump in your long and winding road.
Leigh Ann Hogan Forney
ReplyDeleteEmily,
I cannot even imagine the shock you and your family are in. I got so emotional reading your caring bridge site. I am so sorry. My family talks about you all the time and how thoughtful all of your cards and poems were after my mom passed away. We just talked about you a couple weeks ago after you facebooked alec happy birthday. you left a mark on our family.
I am sure you have so many offerings, but I mean it-if there is anything I can do for you, or my family wed do it in a heartbeat. If you need help with olivia, I would be glad to take her and make sure she was loved.
I'm praying for you and know my mom is watching down on you as well.
Chris Borgmeyer
ReplyDeleteHi Emily -
I saw the news about your cancer discovery, and Alison and I have been thinking about you since... I told Alison not to worry, since I've seen you get yourself out of plenty of situations in High School and College! You've got a great attitude and strong family/friends to help you through this time in your life. Let me know if there is anything we can do to help.
Melissa Gregory
ReplyDeleteHey Em! I just read your blog and can't tell you HOW HAPPY I am that the cancer has not spread! That is just so wonderful! I marvel at how positive you are and I know that that attitude is what's going to keep you strong through this.
You know we tested out a lot of different hair styles in high school and college, now you can do it again! And I always offered to give you my boobs but now I don't have to :). I love you girl, stay strong like I know you are!
Joseph Adelman
ReplyDeleteHey, I got in late and just checked your blog (and probably a hundred times today for an update on how your day went)…I am super relieved that you had some good news today :) I know I have not seen you forever (it doesn't feel like it after news like that?) but I found it hard to sleep last night and couldn’t think about much else all day. I’m sure everyone who knows you felt the same way. I guess I had a bit of a perspective check after reading your email yesterday… Anyway, I know you are probably inundated with emails but I wanted you to know that thoughts and prayers are being sent all the way from Chicago… I hope you and your family have some relief tonight… and I know you will see your little girl grow up to be a great dancer :)
Tom Misterek
ReplyDeleteEmily I am so sorry to hear the news. Stay strong and I know you will give the "Big C" the hell I know you can give. You will be in my thoughts and prayers every day.
Anna F Powers
ReplyDeleteEmily you are strong positive women and I am sending prayers your way!
Bradley J Traynor
ReplyDeleteHey Emily and Steve. My dad called and informed us of what was going on. Heather and I are so sorry to hear about your situation. We will sending you positive thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if we can do anything to help.
Mike Holm
ReplyDeleteEmily and I wish you the best and offer our support of anything you need during this time. Your positive attitude, strength and perseverance is a reminder that nothing can defeat the human spirit. (Especially yours!)
Ashley Huggenberger
ReplyDeleteKeep that sassy spirit up girl! You got this...praying for you and your family. Don't stop believing
Sara Rogers
ReplyDeleteI don't even know what to say. I will be thinking of you, constantly. My heart is with you.
Cassi Timmons Shanahan
ReplyDeleteEmily, I am praying for you and your family! My grandmother survived breast and uterine cancer many years ago, now at 82 she is out dancing everynight, a regular party girl! You can do this! I know you can!
Matt Jetter
ReplyDeleteEmily, I am praying for you. You have the energy to get through anything. You've got this one.
Mark Mattson
ReplyDeleteThe Mattson Family is praying for you. Stay strong girl!
Sherri Lee Harnisch
ReplyDeleteEmily, I am so sorry to hear this news. Please know that we are praying for you!! I admire and am inspired by your perspective, you are certainly going to give this beast a run for it's money. Cancer doesn't stand a chance against you!! I know you are going to put up a strong fight. How lucky you are to have so much family and friends by your side...please know I am here to help out in absolute ANY way I can too. Hang in there, and keep your spirits up. :-)
Nick Friedrichsen
ReplyDeleteIf anyone can do it...YOU can!
Mike Mortensen
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say....be strong!
Nicole Hettinger Evans
ReplyDeleteEmily...our thoughts and prayers are with you. You are one heck of a strong lady...I know you will fight this and win.
Brea Nelson
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough decision to make. You are doing the best thing for your future. I started reconstruction right away. I see Dr. John Edney. He's one of the best reconstruction docs. Let me know what you need!
Lisa Zbylut
ReplyDeleteEmily and Steve - great news that i just read that the cancer has not spread and i will keep praying that the lymph nodes are not affected. please let me know if need anything during this challenging time. i know you guys will be able to make it through this challenge stronger! lisa