Medical Update

Today Keith and I went to see my surgeon.  Dr. Ganshirt was great about answering all our questions and making all the decisions we needed to make with him.  He put me at ease with all the things that were worrying me.  I found out that I am not having anymore scans because he will be able to see everything better when he has me in surgery.  He also let me know that the spots the MRI had picked up on behind my pectoral muscle could be exaggerated by the scan and he will be able to go in to that area and check it out himself.  He will know where the cancer was because there will be scar tissue from where it had invaded my body and the areas it traveled to.  I also found out that the amount of lymph nodes he will take will be most likely only 5 or 6 instead of a number in the teens.  This will help to lessen the problems after surgery with the arm and swelling.  I will be having a double mastectomy with reconstruction at the same time.  So now I have to meet with the plastic surgeon I have chosen next week Tuesday.  Dr. Lu will have the longest part of the surgery since I want to use my own tissue to reconstruct.  That meeting will be where we have the most questions and be given the most information about what to expect.  I am finding that the more information I have the more at peace with having surgery.  

This week has been an adjustment period for me.  I am missing my students so much and my colleagues as well!  BUT I am finding it fun to spend time with my girls.  I will have 2 kindergartners to be and a new 4th grader as of tomorrow at 10:40am.  Yes, Katelynn is getting out of school tomorrow morning for good!  She is so excited to be going into 4th grade and the twins cannot wait to go to Kindergarten at the big school and go on the bus each morning.  These girls are growing up so fast!  We have been to the library twice this week and played at the park once- before the rain came.  We have also cleaned out the twins room and found the floor.  Now I am cleaning out the office and craft room which has been so neglected and filled with miscellaneous stuff.

I watched Opera's final show and was so moved by it.  I have been following her biggest piece of advice which is to make life as you want it to be.  I was given this diagnosis which was not what I wanted to have BUT once I came out of the shock I realized it was my choice how to deal with it.  The first choice I made was to not keep it a secret from anyone- especially my own children.  My next choice was to stay positive even in the face of cancer.  The love that my family and I felt was overwhelming at times!  Love and smiles have been my priceless medicine to battle this cancer.  Thank you for all the love you have given us!