Every year I go, like a clock, for a mammogram. My mother had it, so did my first cousin.  Mother is 80 this year but my sweet cousin Kathy died when she was 56. I got the ominous call that I needed to go back again.  My gyncologist didn't seem worried...the orders from the radiologist didn't indicate anything "highly suspicious".  My husband and I breathed a sigh of relief.  The day of the biopsy, I was nervous.  I had both a static biopsy and a sonogram biopsy.  Once the doctor finished with sonogram biopsy, there was a different atmosphere in the room that I could feel.  No one was saying anything...I didn't take that as a good sign.  That was Friday.  The Monday after Easter, that's when I got the call.  I didn't take it as a good sign when she asked me if I was driving.  " You have invasive ductal carcinoma."  Carcinoma?  Me?  I've already had enough heartache in my life; why was God giving me more?  So, the ups and downs start.  The doubts and anguish of not knowing.  Explaining to friends and family that it's not a death sentence and wondering if I really believe that and wondering if they do too.

I'm fortunate that I live in an area with many health care options and even more fortunate to have Dr. Allison Laidley as my breast surgeon...a woman.  On May 23, 2007 I had a single masectomy with a breast reconstruction.  I was in surgery six hours.  Dr. Jeffrey Krueger did a latissimus flap...moving tissue from my back to the breast.  Right now, I have 3 drains which I have to empty and measure 3 times a day.  Once they go below 30 ml each, I can get them out; about 2 weeks.  A home health care worker comes daily to change my dressing and helps me shower.  I have to say...my breast looks good.  I'll find out next week about chemo.  Right now, I have an expander in my breast but if I need chemo, that will be replaced with an implant and my other breast will augmented to be symmetrical with

my new breast.

I had two small lumps, one 2.5 cm and the other .6 cm. My cancer had spread to 3 sentinel lymph nodes but my axillary nodes are clear.  I called this "Right as Rain" because my radiologist, Dr. McCoy told me that in one year "you'll be right as rain."  I haven't forgotten and I hope to call her in one year and tell her she was right.

I'm journaling this mostly for myself so that I won't forget things but if it helps you or I can help you by answering any questions, please e-mail me.  I'll do everything I can to help you.