Roller Coaster Ride

The news has sunk in and I am scared.

Friends of  friends and family started calling with their stories and doctors names. It all became very overwhelming and confusing.

I had started interviewing the Edward Hospital doctors. I was really trying to like and get a connection with one doctor in particular. I was forcing it only because I had heard he was the best at Edward's. I went to see him twice...I was really trying hard. It just never seemed to feel comfortable in my gut. I was getting the feeling that maybe I should go and get another opinion and see what is in Chicago at the teaching hospitals. As I said before I was getting a lot of people giving me their doctor's names. It took me 3 weeks to get an appointment with a doctor at Northwestern Hospital. I knew the clock was ticking and so I made the November 9th appointment to have a mastectomy at Edwards Hospital as a parachute date.

A friend gave me a book titled "A Random Interruption" by Suzanne Zaccone a story of her journey through breast cancer 3 years ago. That evening I talked with the author, Suzanne. She was going for a visit to her doctors at the University of Chicago Medical Center the very next day. Suzanne had collaborated with Dr. Song on her book and would talk to him about me at her appt. The next day I got a call from Dr. Song's nurse saying she could fit me in on Friday to see Dr. Song, Plastic Surgeon.

Ron and I made that appointment and were so impressed with his knowledge and understanding and his order of procedures to take place prior to any surgery. Dr. Song said that in his opinion he would want to do a DIEP flap for the reconstructive portion of the surgery. (Nothing like what the Naperville doctors had recommended). Dr. Song is one of 5 surgeons in the midwest to perform this micro-vascular surgery. We were on board but still had a lot of research to complete. Dr. Song stepped out of the room and made a call to Dr. Jaskowiak, General Surgeon, to get me in to see her at her office on this coming Tuesday. These doctors did everything they can to help me through this process. I was IMPRESSED and felt at ease.

Met with Dr. Nora Jaskowiak. Loved her. She suggested doing a sentinel node biopsy prior to surgery to see if the cancer has spread into my lymph nodes. We scheduled that surgery on Friday, November 4th of the same week. I felt like everything was falling into place. Called Naperville doctors to cancel the November 9th surgery. I was definitely going to go to University of Chicago Medical Center. And I also cancelled Northwestern appointment.

On Wednesday of that week, the nurse called me and said that the doctor reviewed my films and they saw a suspicious abnormality on my left breast and that I should plan on being at the hospital longer as they will take more views and an ultrasound of the left breast.

Friday. November 4th came and I had more views and ultrasound on my left breast. They come back into the room and decided they wanted to biopsy the left breast. I was getting terrified at this point.The biopsy was performed  and the tech thought it was nothing to be concerned with. Onto my sentinel node biopsy...pain, pain and more pain. Ron and I left for the hospital at 6:30 am and got home at 9:00pm. Long long day. Now the waiting game. Results should be in by Thursday.

On November 8th, I received a call from Dr. Song's nurse saying that they scheduled the mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. I was like we don't even know what our procedure is going to be. She said that they got the results and she forwarded me to Dr. Jaskowiak's nurse who gave my EXCELLENT NEWS. The cancer did not spread into my lymph nodes and the left breast biopsy was benign. That is the best news a cancer patient could get. I jumped up and down and screamed as loud as I could. Yeah for me and all my caregivers!!!! Now the surgery was set for November 18th, Friday. Delight and relieved!!!!

Ron came home early just as I finished the phone call. It was wonderful to share the great news with him. I called the kids and we cried with joy. Then I sent out a massive email. The responses were unbelievable. Thanks to all my wonderful and blessed family and friends, and friends of friends that have been praying for me. I was humbled....