Background

December 2019 – Mammogram showed dense breast tissue with a spot of calcifications

January 2020 – Second mammogram to magnify the calcifications. They told me I may need to stay for an ultrasound but the radiologist told me I did not need one.

March 2020 – Biopsy of the calcifications came back as Multifocal lobular intraepithelial neoplasia. This is NOT CANCER but puts me at a higher risk for cancer. Later (reading internet research) I learned that 12% of patients with this diagnosis have cancer. The OB/GYN referred me to a surgeon for a surgical biopsy.

The surgeon’s office called to say they got my referral but they were not seeing patients at that time because of the coronavirus shut down in Washington State.

May 2020 – Chad and I met with the surgeon and scheduled a surgical biopsy. Two days before surgery I went to have a coronavirus test and was told that the surgical facility had a malfunction with it’s sterilization equipment and they wouldn’t be able to do surgery. They told me to contact my provider. When I called the surgeon and my OB/GYN they said they thought I the surgery would be scheduled for the next week. The surgeon’s office called the next week saying the issue was still not fixed and offered for me to travel to Shelton for surgery or get a referral. I opted to see someone else.

June 1, 2020 – I met with another surgeon, Dr. Lucas, at Centralia General Surgery, for a second opinion. She referred me for an MRI.

In preparation for the MRI I talked to people who had been through the experience and found videos on YouTube. The best videos were made to help kids prepare for the test. There was a small wooden MRI machine and a Ken doll with a kind woman explaining the process. A different 30 minute video was really just a sound track of MRI noises which was extremely helpful. I practiced by laying on the floor on my stomach with my arms extended in front of me and a blanket over me. I would play the MRI sounds on the phone next to me for as long as I could stand to lay still. Mental preparation was so important. I would think about myself as a bunny hiding in a hole (Ted – Sheila’s bunny was nearby) or Superman flying around surveying the world (think – 1978 Christopher Reeve). The different noises would also lead me to thinking about construction sites, jack hammers, etc.

Mental preparation and a winning attitude is critical in so many settings. In the past few years I worked out at the Crossfit gym in Centralia and I would hear the athletes around me talk about how important their thoughts and attitudes were to meeting their goals. Students with a growth mindset learn from their mistakes and tackle ever more challenging problems. When I fly in an airplane I sing (in my head – not out loud) about the how great God is which helps curb my anxiety.

June 11, 2020 – MRI date. I was feeling anxious about going into the big, loud tube. The technician was very kind and friendly making me feel at ease. She got the IV put in and situated me on the table. The worst anxiety was between the time she put me in the tube and when she started the test. She left the room and then the music (headphones) started and the MRI machine noises started. Those noises were oddly comforting. I spent a lot of time counting to pass the time while in the machine #mathteacher. I didn’t have any adverse side effects and was able to drive myself home.

June 14, 2020 – We had a small gathering of people over to celebrate Sheila’s high school graduation. Chad started to feel ill so he went to bed. He didn’t feel better the next day and was able to get an appointment with his doctor for the 16th. I decided to sleep in the boy’s room for the week. My anxiety increased as the week went on. I woke up in the night a lot feeling like my boob hurt, my arm hurt, I had stage IV breast cancer, etc.

June 16, 2020 – I saw Dr. Lucas to follow up and get the MRI results which showed another suspicious spot near the first biopsy spot. She ordered another biopsy. Waiting is the most difficult part of this whole process. It took two days for me to get a call from the facility to schedule the biopsy – another 10 day wait.

June 18, 2020 – Chad got a coronavirus test. He was staying in our bedroom at night and going out the sliding door to the shop to work and use the shower. Fortunately the shop remodel was finished only a few weeks before.

June 22, 2020 – Monday morning the results came back and Chad’s test was negative. What a relief! I put a call in to my doctor to schedule the biopsy follow up and they told me July 6th – more waiting. I started crying, there had been too much anxiety. The receptionist said she’d have the nurse call me back. When I spoke with the nurse I told her about the ache in my breast and my concerns. She scheduled a time for me to see the doctor the next day.

June 23, 2020 – Dr. Lucas spent time talking with me about my concerns. She examined me and said she didn’t notice anything different from the last time I’d been there. She assured me that I do not have stage IV breast cancer. It is SO HARD to wait.

Waiting is terrible. I texted a friend about rafting and we decided to make a plan for a mini vacation. A rafting and zip-line tour was scheduled for the following week. Having something to look forward to provided so much mental relief.

June 26, 2020 – Ultrasound guided biopsy – The technician found the spot right away and we were ready for the radiologist to come in and do the biopsy. Then he asked her to go back and check the nodes. Nothing was evident there (whew!). The radiologist was very friendly and had a calming presence. Once the procedure was done he said it looked as though this was confined to my breast and had not spread to the nodes.

June 29, 2020 – Zip Line Tour

June 30, 2020 – White River Rafting with Zoller’s Outdoor Odyssey (Highly Recommend)

Spent two nights in an AirBnB with my friend Leslie. We had a great time.

July 6, 2020 – Biopsy #2 diagnosis – Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

Surgical options 1) lumpectomy with radiation 2) single mastectomy 3) double mastectomy – with or without reconstruction

Wow, a lot to think about. Of course I talked to everyone I could who had any personal experience with breast cancer, breast surgery, and reconstruction. I read ALL the internet sites and research articles I could find. While it was anxiety producing I also learned SO MUCH! The doctor told me that both surgical options have the same 5 year survival rate but the lumpectomy has an 8% recurrence rate and the mastectomy has a 1% recurrence rate. One article I read said there was a 30% chance I would have cancer in the other breast. I DO NOT LIKE ANY OF THESE OPTIONS!

July 9, 2020 – Chad and I met with Dr. Lucas to schedule a double mastectomy for the following Wednesday. I was planning to go to Sunriver with my family and come home the day before surgery. However, in the COVID era you need to get a coronavirus test two days before surgery. Sunriver was not going to happen 😦

Also, I met with a provider for genetic testing via Zoom. We discussed my family history and I went to the local oncology office for a blood draw. The results will be back in two weeks. It’s amazing what you find out when you start talking to your relatives. I thought the only cancer was my paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather but I discovered that other relatives had experiences with cancer as well.

June 13, 2020 – COVID Testing at Providence Urgent Care Hawks Prairie – They call the next day with your results. It was one swab up one nostril. It burned a little but wasn’t too bad. Fortunately, I am not sick and do not have a stuffed up nose.