The Day After

What is there to say except "Holy Crap!"? As you can imagine we've had a long weekend. And when I say "We" I really mean Desi, I've just been a spectator sleeping on an uncomfortable couch.

We arrived at the Huntsman Cancer Institute on Friday at 1:45PM where Desi was promptly escorted to her own waiting room. We were able to meet with the Surgeon Dr. Neumayer (I'm still fuzzy on the actual spelling) who explained again in detail what Desi was about to go through. Perhaps the scariest part (for me that is) was when she pulled out a Sharpie and began to draw the incision lines on Desi. It was an event that added a sense of the macabre. Fortunately Desi was a bit overwhelmed and didn't stress out too much. Desi was then injected with radioactive isotopes which were part of the sentinel biopsy which would be performed at the beginning of her mastectomy. The purpose being to locate which lymph nodes drained the breast tissue and to check for more cancerous cells. After this she was visited by the anesthesiologists who were both great and made her feel very comfortable. Of course her comfort could have been due to the drugs they gave her, but I digress.

With little fan-fair she was carted away and I was left alone in the waiting room. It is difficult to write the emotions I felt at that time. Throughout this entire ordeal we have had a sense of peace and special spirit has been in our home as we coped with this cancer. At this moment however, I was terrified. Terrified that I might never see her again. I'm not afraid to say it, I wept.

Six hours later Desi was finally in the recovery room. They weren't very busy and I was able to go back there and sit with her as the effects of the anesthesia wore off. Eventually she became a bit more lucid and was finally assigned a room. Apparently the housecleaning staff was on a long lunch break and hadn't gotten around to getting the rooms cleaned. I did offer to help, but they didn't accept. Eventually we were able to be moved upstairs to her room, which was beautiful. It felt like we were staying at a nice hotel, of course nice hotels don't have I.V. trees and oxygen tanks bolted to the walls. During this time we did receive the first bit of good news. The sentinel biopsy showed no signs of cancer in her lymph nodes! This is great! This isn't a 100% certain, but there's not much more we can do to see if it's spread any further into her body. They did find some atypical cells in the tumor and are waiting for the final pathology report to see if they'll need to perform another surgery to remove more tissue. Radiation therapy is now a possibility, but we won't know for sure for another week or two.

We then spent most the evening trying to keep Desi comfortable. Some of her friends and family were able to visit and that really put her in good spirits. After a long night and an uneventful morning she was able to go for walks and eat good food. Her strength built back up and she was able to be released around 5:00pm Saturday evening.

Now we're here at Grandma McGee's where Mikey is having the time of his life and Desi is able to get some much needed rest and relaxation.

More to come...

Surgical Consultation

Yesterday we spent a little over six hours at the hospital meeting with my surgeon and plastic surgeon.  The first consultation was with the surgeon who'll be performing the mastectomy, Dr. Leigh Neumayer.  We really liked her and her team.  They seemed very confident and capable.  It's also been nice having female doctors because it seems that I can joke with them more so than if they were men.  I don't mean to be sexist but I just can't see myself laughing about boobs with a guy doctor.  Dr. Neumayer gave us more information about the operation and I got to see pictures of the results.  I didn't let Geoff see them though, but I should have because they weren't that great anyway.  I did learn that it is going to be a 10+ week  healing process involving multiple operations.  I won't be able to lift anything heavy, meaning Mikey especially, but I will have exercises and therapy to help me recover.

We then met with a genetic counselor who was worthless yet still managed to take up almost an hour and a half of our time.  We felt like she was a salesman trying to sell us a used car.  We want the test, we just don't want to pay the thousands of dollars it costs because insurance won't cover.  It won't really help me make any decisions, but it will help my family and my kids figure out their chances of developing cancer.

Lastly we met with Dr. Agarwal, which was weird because he is a man and there was no joking about anything.  It was the most stressful of them all because he was so serious but I was able to find out a lot of good information.  He was very frank when he said that I needed to understand that breast reconstruction is much different from a "boob-job".  That I will not look the same as some woman who's only had augmentation done, I will be scarred and there will be difficulty in obtaining symmetry.  He was very reassuring when he said that because of my age and physical condition I should have a very successful operation and quick recovery and great results.  In a rare moment of emotion he promised me that he would do everything in his power to make sure that I was satisfied with the end result.

It was a long day but it was nice to come back to Mom McGee's home to find that Mikey had been spoiled and that a delicious dinner had been prepared for us.  Our hearts are full because of all the love and support we have felt.  We pray that all of you will be blessed for the kindness you have shown us.

FYI, as a reminder June 6th has been confirmed as my surgery date.

Also, if you're related to me you need to go get yourself checked.

Angels At Work

This is a bit out of sequence but I felt that it was important to include.

Two Saturdays ago we were visited by a host of heavenly angels. The effort was spearheaded by Desi's sister Toni who really got the proverbial ball rolling. Desi's brothers (that's you too Justin) and the Logan 1st ward Elders Quorum came to our home and built us a fence. Mom McGee donated the materials & the brethren put it up. We had over 35 holes to dig, 300 feet of wire to put up and a wild yard to tame, but with their help we did it all in one day. It was so amazing to witness.

Our lives have not been the same since. Now we spend our evenings in relative peace. Mikey is free to roam the backyard and be a content little boy, while our dogs can run and bark their furry heads off and we don't have to worry about them biting anyone or getting hit by a car. The best part is that when Desi is recuperating from her surgery she'll be able to manage better knowing that everyone has a place to play and is safe. She'll be able to sit back, read a book and relax while mother nature babysits.

I cannot express enough how indebted we are to everyone that has helped us so much. It really is amazing.

Thank you, thank you for your prayers, your kindness and your generosity.

Geoff

The Huntsman Center

5/14/08

So we've seen 3 different doctors and not really had anything definitive said to us.  Sure, we know that I have cancer, we know that I will need a mastectomy and we know that we want to go to Salt Lake City for the procedure.  What we haven't known is how to go about setting everything up.  The surgeon says that we need to schedule surgery and have my breast removed right away while our Oncologist friend states that we need a local Oncologist to set things up for us and really help lay down a game plan.  We tend to agree that we want someone running the show.  Geoff's dad went to Dr. Sandra Buys at the Huntsman Institute, so we thought that'd be a good place to start.  After speaking with Dr. Buys' assistant we were able to schedule an appointment for today, hooray!

The Huntsman Center is amazing, an absolutely gorgeous building.  At least I know they're doing well right?  So we spoke with our Oncologist Dr. Buys today.  She confirmed that I have Ductal Carcinoma In Situ or DCIS.  She asked a lot about my family history and whether or not people related to me have had to deal with any sort of cancer.  She even checked me for irregular moles.

One of the best parts was that she explained the mastectomy process.  We had no idea what a mastectomy entailed, we had no idea what I'd be left with and how I would look.  What we were told was very heartening.  She strongly recommended that I keep my left breast, I had been considering having it removed also, just in case.  She made constant references to my future children which was exactly what I wanted to hear!  I will need to visit with a gene counselor to see if I have any gene mutations.  If I do I may then elect to have a radial mastectomy, or in other words, I'll have them remove my left breast too.  My doctor agrees with that  and would recommend it.  Because of the nature of my cancer if I keep my left breast I will also need to go and have a mammogram once per year and an MRI once per year as well.  To all of you out there make sure you're going to your doctor regularly. 

The next step is to meet with both the Surgeon and Plastic Surgeon and discuss my pending operation.  Dr. Buys was kind enough to schedule them for me.  So I'll meet with them on May 22nd for the consultation and I'll actually go in for the operation on June 6th.  It's so soon but I'm certain that it has to be done.  So many great people have helped us reach this decision.

I want to express my love for each and every one of you.  I have never felt as so special.  I am sad because I know that I can never repay your kindness and only hope that you can understand how grateful Geoff and I are for your support and love.  

Thanks again!

Desi

5/8/08 

We got the results back on the left side yesterday, they said there was no cancer. We are grateful for this good news. Although I may still have it taken out.  Just because my chances are so high for it coming back.  I don't know, will see. I am so grateful for  all of you prayers and support. I have felt so loved. Thanks,
 
Desi

A Trip to MacKay-Dee Hospital

5/5/08

Hi all,
 
Today was another big day, Geoff, Mikey and I had to spend the day in Ogden at MacKay Dee hospital.  After my mammogram last Friday they decided that I needed to get an MRI.  My appointment was for 6:30AM so we spent the night at Toni & Justin's' home.  Mom came down with us and helped Toni watch little Mikey, believe me, he needs two sitters.  The MRI was really hard, thanks to my claustrophobia, but I am very thankful for Geoff and the power of the priesthood.  After the appointment and as soon as we got back to Toni's, the hospital called and wanted me to come back for another biopsy on my left breast.  The MRI showed that my right breast is full of tumors and that there is something suspicious in my left breast.  It took over three hours and a lot of pain, I'm ok now.  Geoff had to wait outside, thankfully Mom McGee was there for added support. After all is said and done we still don't know anything.  We should hopefully find out more in a few days.  As for now we have to wait.

Thank you all for your love and prayers.  I feel very strengthened by all the support that has been shown to us.
 
Thanks again,
 
I love you all
 
Desi

More Tests

Hey again, 
 
    Thank you all so much for your love and support! I am so grateful for all of you. I am just letting you know what we know. I am going in for a mammogram tomorrow morning. They are hoping to see if the cancer has spread and what needs to be taken out. We will also have a visit with the surgeon to find out more information. As of now we are scheduled for surgery on Monday. We love you all so much.

Desi 

Not So Good News

Hey Everyone,
  
Geoff and I went and got a biopsy done yesterday just so we could feel better about the odd lump in my breast. I got a phone call today with some not so good news. They said they found a form of cancer that is called DCIS.(you can look it up on line) It's a controlled cancer of the milk duct. If you are going to have cancer this is the best to have, I guess. They say it is not deadly as long as it is in the early stages and hasn't spread to to any other part of the Breast. I don't have any more info. at this time. I will find out more tomorrow or Friday. I would appreciate if you have any questions you call Morgan, Geoff, or Mom. I hope you will understand. I will keep you all informed as I get the info. If you could keep us in your prayers. I know all will be ok. I am very blessed to know how much my Heavenly Father loves me. I know I am in his hands. 
Love,

Desi