PET Scan Results and Surgery Details (by Melissa Baker)

Christy's PET Scan results came back today.  (The PET Scan was the full body scan to identify any cancer anywhere else in her body.)  The scan indicated no cancer anywhere else.  GREAT NEWS!!

This morning's surgery to place the port (for the chemo treatments) went well.  She went back to the operating room just after 8 am and it took about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  The doctor came and talked to Brent around 10am.  They wanted to put the port on her right side, and it went in with no complications.  Basically it was a very smooth surgery.

Brent was able to see her around 11:15 am and they were able to leave pretty soon after--they were home by noon. Christy rested for a bit, then ate some Chicken Noodle Soup and Pudding and a Pain Pill.

Currently she is really tired and in quite a bit of pain.  The meds and ice have helped her shoulder pain.  But she had to be intubated for the surgery, and now her throat is very raw and achy.  Talking is painful and she is very hoarse.

She is, however, very grateful to have it done and to be home and to have such good news about the PET Scan results.

Out of Surgery (by Melissa Baker)

Just heard from Brent that Christy is out of surgery (for placing the port) and in recovery now.  The surgery went great and she's doing well.

March 30th- Fast Sunday

Today being Fast Sunday, Colter decided he wanted to fast. Last month he chose to fast too; he fasted for Dave who was very sick with the flu. Technically he doesn't need to fast as he hasn't been baptized, but his desire to do this amazes me. He is a boy with simple but strong faith. I know I will be blessed and strengthened through his eager desire to do this thing. I thankful to be reminded of how blessed I am to have the children I do.

May you all reflect on your blessings; you'll find that there are many! Our Heavenly Father loves us and desires to bless us! Happy Sunday to you all!

Love you!
Christy

March 27th- Overview of the next week and a plea for help

I’m starting to realize that I carry my big pink Breast Cancer binder everywhere I go. It’s become my new Franklin Day planner.
Met with the team of Doctors on Wednesday morning. The meeting went really good. Of the three Dr.’s I saw I only liked one of them. The one I really liked was the Medical Oncologist. I still have time to find a different Radiation oncologist, and I’m pretty sure the medical oncologist could recommend one to me. My Nurse navigator made an appointment for me to see a surgeon this morning and after meeting with her I think she and I will get along just great; she’s very knowledgeable and highly qualified.
So a brief outline on my next weeks activities…
The cancer is more involved than originally thought. The size of the mass including the fingers going out from it are about ¼ of my whole breast. Because the mass is as big as it is and because there is known cancer in my one lymph node they want more imaging. I have an appointment Friday morning for a PET scan to see if there is any cancer ANYWHERE else in my body. I feel confidant that there isn’t. I also have an appointment tomorrow afternoon for an Echo cardiogram to get a baseline of what’s going on with my heart before we start chemo. I have an appointment on Monday (not sure on a time yet) to get my port surgically placed. This is done as an outpatient procedure;I should take only a couple hours. Tuesday night Dallas comes home from NewYork- Hurray! Wednesday I have a chemo class and Thursday morning I have my first round of chemo.

Friday at 12:30 Colter is getting the Student of the Month award. I would like someone to go for me.
Friday-I need someone to be here at 1pm, so my boys aren’t’ home alone. I would need them to stay with them until I get home from my Dr.’s appointments (about3:00pm)
Friday-Dinner

Saturday-someone to play with my 3 kids while Dave and I go shoot a Bridal. 5-8pm

Monday- Port surgery day.
Monday-I need someone to pick up Colter from Tutoring at 3:30
Drea has the day off and may need a place to hang out while I’m at the hospital.
Monday-Dinner

Thursday- Chemo Day
Thursday-someone to bring Drea home from school.
Thursday-Dinner

March 24th- MRI results

Happy Day! Got the results from the MRI…The cancer has NOT spread! That is great news! They did however find another cancerous lump in the same breast. From what I understood it must be pretty small because the mammogram and the ultra-sound didn’t pick it up. I’ll know more about this Wednesday after meeting with the Dr.’s. The lump in my right breast that I’ve had since my 20’s is not cancer, so that was good news too.
My hormone results came back negative, which means I am not a candidate for hormone therapy after all my chemo and surgery. I was told that can be pretty common for the faster growing cancer. What that means is the chance could be greater to get cancer again. The hormone pills keep the cancer from coming back. (At least that’s my understanding at this point. I’m still learning.)
Wednesday morning we are meeting with a surgeon, medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist. All of these Dr.’s come highly recommended and I’ve heard nothing but good about them. My Dr.’s are part of the Utah Cancer Specialist’s. My treatments will take place there, with the exception of my surgeries- those will take place at St. Marks.
I’ll do my best to keep you posted after our meeting on Wednesday. Watch for an email or a phone calling tree with info.
I continue to be humbled by the love and support. Dave and I talk often about how much it touches us! We feel your love! We feel your strength! Thank YOU!!

Now time for some humor…
Did you know that driving while you have a lot on your mind is considered distracted driving? I learned this the hard way today. I was pulled over on Redwood Road by Taylorsville High. Speeding…Who knew I had a lead foot?

I love you all,
Christy

March 20th- Update on the Ward front

Dave and I went and met with the radiologist today and it was confirmed that in all 3 area’s from my biopsy I have cancer. I have what’s called invasive ductal carcinoma. This is the most common type of breast cancer and is curable. What we know so far and what’s up next… The cancer is classified as grade 3, which means its fast growing. This type of cancer reacts well to chemotherapy.  We know that cancer is in the breast and the lymph node in my armpit. Tomorrow I will have an MRI to see if it has spread to any of the other lymphatic system, by Monday we will know. We will be meet with the group of Dr’s that will be taking care of me during this process on Wednesday morning next week.  Things will be moving fast, a lot will be going on, please be patient if I don’t respond to your texts/ calls or whatever, I need time to process this and reflect on my strength. I know I can beat this, I do however have fears about certain things that will happen. This is normal. At some point in the near future I will find someone to help disseminate information out so I can focus on my healing and my family.
I know you will want to know what you can do for me, the best answer I have right now is to pray and fast for me. I will need help down the road and I’ll do my best to ask for what I need.
Heavenly Father loves me. I know this. This is something that will help me grow spiritually but I will rely on your faith at times.
Once chemo starts I will have 1 treatment every other week for 8 treatments (about 4 months). I was told I will have a few rough days but that I will also have really good days. I will loose my hair, but lets face it,I can really rock this short hair thing, and hopefully the no hair look too.

In case I don’t say it later, I just want to thank you in advance for your love, support and prayer on my and my families behalf.

I love you all,
Christy (and Dave, but mostly Christy)

March 14th, 2014- Fun at the Wards

There are times in our lives when things happen and we think they only happen to 'other' people...

Today I became one of those 'other' people.

In advance I just gotta say sorry  if this makes you uncomfortable!

Last year around November I found a lump in one of my breasts. I did not think much of it as I've had a lump before that ended up being nothing. It started out pretty small and I figured I would wait to go because I needed to find a new Dr. and that was a pretty big headache. Fast forward to February...I notice that lump is quite a bit larger. For the last several weeks it has become uncomfortable and painful. At this point I was thinking it might be a clogged milk duct, or maybe that's what I was hoping for. I found a new Dr. and saw him this morning. The lump has been qualified as a mass, and measures about 7cmx3cm, and has a nodule at one end. I was sent in for a diagnostic mammogram which also took place today at St. Marks hospital. This proved that there was a mass and needed further imaging to see things more clearly. An ultra-sound was done and determined that it's not a boy or a girl. :) Through this it was determined that the lump was not liquid filled but is a solid mass. It may be one mass, or it could be two that are bridged together, they were a little unclear about that. The mass does not have a smooth outer edge, it is jagged. This was concerning to the radiologist. I also have a couple lymph nodes in my armpit that are enlarged and darkened. This could be because of the irritation from the lump or it could be that whatever is going on in my breast is also happening in my lymph node. Again, they weren't sure.
So what now? I will go back on Tuesday for a biopsy. There are going to do 3 incisions, one at each end of the large mass and one in my armpit. They will remove a piece of tissue from the lump(s) and my lymph node and send it to pathology for testing. 
This process takes about 2 hours and will leave me a little sore. Dave and I go back next Thursday for the results. And I should say at this point that the results could still come back non-cancerous, but they will still have to determine what to do with the mass and how to remove it.

Please keep me in your prayers. I know prayer works! I'd really just like the strength to handle whatever the outcome may be.

Now, on to a much brighter note!

Dave and Bradley are off in Goblin Valley at scout camp! I hope they have fun and don't freeze! They'll be home tomorrow night.

Dallas is on a date tonight and has another one scheduled for tomorrow. She leaves for New York in less that 2 weeks and is looking to borrow a suitcase; so if you have one she can borrow let her know. And, any tips you have on New York if you've been there before would be great. (Janelle, that means you)

Drea and Colter and I have enjoyed the house all to ourselves tonight. Colter was still pretty eager to go to bed on time as he will be sleeping under his bed for the 2nd night in a row.

I Love you all!