New tests

Well, every day it's new information that makes me feel like we know less and less...

Because the area in question is in my skull, they need a neurosurgeon to do the biopsy. For some reason that doc wants another MRI done so he can plan the biopsy. So, new MRI is scheduled for the 4th of September, and then I guess they'll figure out when they'll do the biopsy.  I'm going to push back on my oncologist and see if there is anything he can do to move this forward more quickly, but I get the feeling the mechanisms of health care are stickier than I want them to be.

I can't tell you how much your comments here, private emails, prayers and general good thoughts to the universe help to buoy me up. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

xoxoxo
Kerstin

Surgery postponed

The CT scans show something "suspicious" so they want to do a bone biopsy. Meantime they are postponing surgery. I appreciate each and every good thought, so please keep them coming!!!
xoxoxoxo

Update on tests

So, as is often the case with medical tests, there is nothing conclusive just yet. They want to do another test to get even more information, so stay tuned... and I REALLY appreciate all the good healing thoughts. XOXOXOX

Crappy News

I still have a hard time saying it out loud, but writing is a tad easier... I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Crap.

Here is what John and I know so far:

• The biopsy shows it's ductil carcinoma, but the docs have some concerns that it may also be lobular
• I'm scheduled for surgery on Thursday, August 29th. It will be a bilateral (double) mastectomy.
• They want to do some additional tests in the next week or so to see if it has metastasized (escaped to other parts of the body). If so, we may delay surgery and go right into chemo. 
• The next week's tests and the post-surgery pathology will determine the stage. So right now let's pray that the pesky critter has been (and continues until surgery to be) happy just hanging out in the left breast. 

I'm managing to keep a fairly good attitude; I figure there's no use being hysterical over the unknown. That said, the enormity of the  path I may be treading does occasionally wash up and overwhelm me.

We are slowly sharing the news. I know so many of you have been on this journey, and others like it, that I know I'm in good company. Plus, we joke that my family is good at growing things -- just between my two parents we have three cancers and a brain tumor. But the best part is they have kicked butt every time and everyone is happy, healthy, and thriving. I plan to continue that streak.

So please stay tuned. I'm certain there will be many ups and downs in the coming months, but hope that ultimately we'll have only the best news.

John, Andy, and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers so very much.

xoxoxox
Kerstin