TIMELINE

April 18, 2008: Visit great obgyn doctor, Shelly Mixsis, at Northwest Women's Health, after experiencing pain in my left breast. She thought it was likely a cyst, so I was sent to the Women's Diagnostic Center at Swedish Medical Center to see what they said.
April 25, 2008: Get first mammogram, ultrasound, fine needle-biopsy (failed, because lump is "like cement"), so had a stereotactic core biopsy (just think table with hole in middle + the autobody shop), and finally another mammogram.
April 29, 2008: Diagnosis of high grade intraductal breast cancer. This type of cancer is graded on level 3-9. I have an 8. (Correction: After getting final pathology report, my grade is updated to a 9.)
May 5, 2008: Right breast mammogram = clean! plus visit to surgeon Dr. Kristine Lee at Swedish Medical Center. 
May 7, 2008: My first MRI plus an appointment with Genetic Counselor Dr. Resta. Blood work taken at Dr. Resta's to test and see if I have the breast cancer gene.
May 8, 2008: First Hill Diagnostic Imaging Center calls and shares that the MRI has revealed suspicious activity on the lymph nodes. Next week I need to get a lymph node ultrasound and biopsy. 
May 13, 2008: Appointment with surgeon Dr. Claire Buchanan for a second opinion.  
May 14, 2008: Lymph Node ultrasound (no biopsy necessary because of clean ultrasound) & PET-CT Scan.
May 15, 2008: Bone Scan; Get results that the PET-CT scan is clean.
May 16, 2008: Follow up appointment with Dr. Christine Lee & appointment with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
May 20, 2008: SURGERY
May 21, 2008: Find out that I do NOT have the breast cancer gene, BRCA1 or BRCA2.
May 23, 2008: Pathology is back on the tumor: NO Lymph Node involvement & confirmed clean margins.
May 28, 2008: Follow-up appointment with Dr. Christine Lee.
May 29, 2008: Meet with Dr.Dudley at Seattle Reproductive Medicine.
May 30, 2008: Meeting with Oncologist, Dr. Rinn, to start making plans for phase 2: Chemo mop-up. 
June 9, 2008: Physical Therapy Appointment
June 25, 2008: Nutritionist Appointment, Follow-up with Christine Lee, 1st Chemotherapy treatment
June 28, 2008: Physical Therapy Appointment
July 2, 2008: White Blood Cell Draw and visit to Dr. Rinn
July 12, 2008: Physical Therapy Appointment
July 16, 2008: Round 2 Chemotherapy & free wig fitting
July 23, 2008: Appointment with Dr. Lee 
July 25, 2008: Physical Therapy Appt. 
August 5, 2008: First appointment with Dr. Karwal, my new oncologist in Iowa City
August 6, 2008: Round 3 Chemo, Iowa style
August 25: Physical Therapy Appointment
August 26: Consultation with Dr. Karwal
August 27: LAST CHEMO infusion
September 16: Meet Dr. Jacobsen, Radiation Oncologist
September 23: Radiation walk through appointment
September 24: First Radiation Treatment & start of The 33 Days Project
October 30: Dermatology Apt, recommended by Oncologist
November 5th: Onc Apt regarding next steps
November 10: Final day of Radiation
November 12: Dr. Nisley apt 

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Day 6 of 33

Pink Ribbons. 
Some survivors love them. Some survivors hate them. 
If you start seeing an increase of the (in)famous ribbons around, it probably has something to do with the fact that it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You'll notice the ribbons in unlikely places: M&M bags, Yogurt Tops, Garden Hoses, and cereal boxes. And, while I wish I could say that every pink ribbon product gave major proceeds to cancer research, it just isn't true. There are some pinkwasher companies out there who purport to care about breast cancer, but don't give to the cause, or even worse, the company manufactures products that are linked to the disease! Of course, there are some companies that donate lots of $ to legitimate organizations, like Komen. For more information about how to be an informed pink consumer, read this excellent article!

While you question every pink item you have ever purchased, let me entertain you with some stories of my day. 

I met with the new oncologist. And i t w a s a w e s o m e! Carwash, out. Dr. Thomas, in. We clicked right away and could talk about lots of the hard issues with ease and humor. She is a gentle woman and I think she will make going to the hospital feel much better. I can't tell you how happy I am to have taken steps toward more satisfying care. 

I felt so good after meeting with Dr. Thomas, that I almost forgot I had to go to radiation. I was a half hour late. oops. 

After getting zapped, I picked up Rumpus and we met John for a delicious Oasis (falafel shop)  lunch outside. With a full belly, John went off to Collaboration class and I took Rumpus to Petco. I know Petco is the Walmart of pet stores, but Iowa City does not have the upscale, organic pet stores that Seattle does. Shocking, I know. One dog bed, one dog tag, and one dog toy later, we were ready to roll. 

When we arrived home, Rumpus immediately (and adorably) went to sleep in his new bed. The over stimulation at Petco tuckered the little guy out. Luckily I still had energy to plan curriculum, because I had the first day of a 3-5th grade acting class this evening. The kids are sweet, although the class is small. 

After a little left over Thai food and watching some Sarah Palin videos (on my god. Hope you are all tuning in tomorrow) on YouTube, it's time to get to it. I have papers to grade for tomorrow. 

Peace out people.

-Hambly

4 comments:

Bachman said...

I just bought pink ribbon tic-tacks!!!

lanikeller said...
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doulamegan said...

hey Brynn
So my 33 day challenge is to read the three blogs written by the people I know. It's nice to read yours because you're updating daily. Congrats on adopting Rumpus. He's one lucky dog. All my love. Megan

Vicky said...

I got my hair done today and on the counter was a tall pink can of hairspray with a pink ribbon on it. Undoubtedly carcinogenic! And, I now have 7 clean and neat drawers, one for each day of Brynn's radiation. Vicky