What's up with Katie!

Radiation stinks but I'm on the home stretch!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 05:50:00 +0000

Dear family and friends,

I can hardly believe that it has been two months since I last updated my blog. I have had such a busy schedule that I barely have had time to think. I guess going to radiation every day at 2:30pm except Saturday and Sunday for the last month would explain how I spend a good part of my day! Not being one to let that slow me down there has been some fun along the way to break up the last six months.

Mike and I celebrated the end of my chemo with a Backroads bike trip riding from South Carolina to North Carolina. I crunched and used an electric-assist bike for the trip, as I knew I would not be able to ride the Blue Ridge Mountains. But, I did still get a great workout on the flats and rolling hills, riding a total of almost 200 miles in 5 days. Not bad, righttttt????

October was a wonderful celebration month. I once again chaired ‘Key to the Cure’ with my very good friend, Jacquie Dorrance. We had a great turnout at the event, bringing together 230 women raising money for TGEN. The money is used to help fight women’s cancers. Jacquie and I were both honored to have many family members fly in for the day (all my sisters, my Mom and the girls made the trip to be there). It was a very special time for all!

Brigid & Summer Rye, Elyse & Amanda Mueller, Ruth (Mom), Mike, Me, Monica Mueller, Megan O'Toole, Barb Basalone, Ellen Dewan

My medical oncologist, Dr. Karen Anderson, was our guest speaker at this year’s ‘Key to the Cure’. She is a wonderful doctor and scientist. Dr. Anderson spoke about current studies and progress related to women’s cancers. She did an amazing job!

Dr. Karen Anderson

Speaking of progress, I am now one of 3,000 people in the world who have had their DNA and RNA genetically sequenced. The scientists and doctors at TGEN and Mayo have looked at the sequencing of my ‘healthy body’ and my ‘sick body’. In their comparative studies, they have found a ‘target gene’ known to tie to cancer. At this time there isn't anything on the market that works with that gene. But, my sequencing information is in a database, and should something come available my doctors would be alerted.

Sequencing is very cutting edge and is really the future of medicine. I feel very fortunate to have this information available to my doctors. Because of the DNA information, I will have a bone scan and blood test every four months to assure that I stay healthy. This is really good news and proactive progress.

So, on Monday, December 1^st, I will finish 6 ½ weeks of radiation! Radiation is not for babies! I thought it would be easy, and although it is quick and basically painless, it is not easy. My skin is in awful shape, red, blistered, tight, itchy and painful. Have I complained enough! Let me just say, I will be glad to have it over.

Once again, I am struck with gratitude to all of you as well as to those I have never met. The Key to the Cure event is humbling, as I know that so many women continue to need our help in finding a cure, I am just one of them. Love to all. xox

The kindness of strangers...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 04:50:00 +0000

Dear Family and Friends,

It is so hard to believe that September has arrived and that fall is almost here. We made it thru another summer, and I have made it thru my chemo treatments. I finished the last treatment on Tuesday, August 26th. After a tough couple of days Mike and I celebrated the finish with a last minute quick trip for some cooler weather and early leaf viewing with the Dorrance's and Bella.

I am so glad to have this part of the process behind me. I am still doing some recovery; tired, low blood pressure and general fatigue. But, the thrill of completion out-weighs any negative effects.

I want to thank you all for your prayers, cards, emails, calls, texts, and time, these past few months. The support that you have offered me is over whelming. I also got support from complete strangers. Although I would rather have not had to have cancer return, there was again a wonderful reminder of how kind people can be.

One of my favorite moments happened one day in a grocery store parking lot. I was walking to my car when a mentally challenged employee who was collecting carts stopped and said, ‘God Bless You’. She was such a sweet lady and together in the parking lot we hugged. I had never met or seen her before, but she reached out to me with just a few caring words. I went to my car and cried.

Today, I met with my radiologist, Dr. Vershalee Shukla, we have set-up a time to start radiation on Monday, October 13th. Prior to receiving radiation I will have CT (computerized tomography) Simulation.

The CT Sim will help the Doctor set things in place so that each time I am treated the radiation beam will hit the exact same spot. They may make a mold to hold my body in place for each treatment.

Dr. Shukla wants to be somewhat aggressive with the radiation – hitting my lymph nodes, breast and a small upper portion of my lungs. The goal will be to completely eradicate any potential cancer cells that might remain in these areas.

The radiation will last 6 weeks and will be every day. The radiation only takes about 30 minutes and I will meet each week with Dr. Shukla to track progress. The side effects are fatigue and perhaps some skin irritation.

So, until October 13^th, I plan on staying BUSY! I have lots to be excited about and also looking forward to just hanging out. Thank you all. God Bless YOU~ xoxoxo

Three chemos down, one to go...hold the fries!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 01:10:00 +0000

Dear Family and Friends,

Hi all. The last time I updated you was July 4^th weekend. We had a great time in Forest Highlands. The following weekend we headed to San Diego, where we spent time with Amanda and her FIANCE! Eric Hough. We had a wonderful time getting to know more about Eric and hearing of their plans to move to Santa Rosa, CA.

I wasn’t off the plane but a few hours and headed to Amanda and Eric’s backyard where Mike and Amanda shaved my head (see the video below with my hairdresser Pierre). My hair was held on with just hairspray and was falling out in clumps, but I wanted Amanda to be part of the ‘clean up’ process. Honestly, by that time you really just want the hair gone. I was asked if it hurts, it feels like when you have had your hair in a ponytail and take it out – that bent hair feeling.

Back to Amanda and Eric. They got engaged on July 31^st. Eric made it a very special event and we were thrilled to get their phone call that evening announcing their news. We all feel very lucky to have such a wonderful addition to our family. Life is GOOD!

Eric & Amanda

The proposal!

Yesterday was my 3^rd chemo treatment. The last treatment, July 15th did take a little longer to recover from so as I am told this one might take even a little bit longer. It feels like you have the flu, body aches and just over-all crummy feeling. I control it with the doctor’s recommendation of Aleve and Claritin, which is so helpful. My sisters will come to AZ again to help out. It is so great to have them here with me. After this treatment there will be just one more on August 26th followed by a 5-week break and then six weeks of radiation.

In between treatments, Mike and I look at the dates and try to figure out when I will start to feel well and make fun plans. We just returned from a week in Okoboji, Iowa where we spent time biking, fishing, doing yoga and lots of dinners on our patio watching the sunset. We had a wonderful visit with Mike’s high school buddies and their wives. Then, finished the week in Omaha with Mike’s family at the beautiful wedding of niece, Chelsea to her now husband Eric.

I want to tell you all thank you so much for your love and support. Sometimes all of this feels so surreal to me. But I want you all to know how very thankful I am for all you are doing and all of the love and prayers you have offered.

Love to you all. Katie

Chemotherapy has started - let the fun begin!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 14:30:00 +0000

Happy post Fourth of July! I’m thrilled to report that almost two weeks into treatment I am feeling great except for the few days right after chemo. I now feel better about making some summer plans but we are taking each day as it comes and working around treatment schedules.

No wig! My new hairstyle for a few weeks

My first chemo treatment was Tuesday, June 24^th. Mike and I were at the Mayo Clinic almost all day. My chemotherapy is called TC chemo which stands for Decotaxel (T) and Cyclophosphamide (C ). It actually takes about 3 hours to intravenously inject but there seems to be many steps before it actually starts. It was surreal to sit there with Mike and look around and see people of all ages who have to do this week after week; some without anyone at their side. I am again reminded how lucky I am to have Mike, my family and all of you.

Monday, prior to chemo, I had my blood drawn to check my white and red cell count. This will give doctors as my baseline throughout treatment. The chemo, as you probably know, kills the cells as they are dividing, both good and bad. So, there is about a one-week period where I am more susceptible to infection than other times. The Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of chemo treatments, I actually feel AWESOME. They give you a steroid; which made me want to organize my house – my idea of FUN! After, this first treatment, Thursday and Friday were pretty tough, but I rebounded Saturday and Mike and I joined friends at Steak44 for dinner. So, it is basically and up-and-down, day-by-day, process.

My next three treatments will be July 15^th, August 5 and the last one will be August 26^th. I will take a break after chemo before beginning radiation. I think lots of progress has been made in regards to chemotherapy. The doctors really try to help control the side effects as best they can with other drugs and suggestions on how to take care of yourself and your body at this time. The day after each chemo treatment I will be given an injection called Pegfilgrastim, which helps my body make more white blood cells to fight infections. YOU will not believe it, but this little shot alone costs $10,000! It is crazy! But, we are committed to following the doctor’s recommendations.

Okay, well I hope I answered some questions and also hope that you feel a little bit more educated about breast cancer and my treatment. Thanks for reading! xoxoxo

Lionel was awesome but the test results...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 04:48:00 +0000

Dear family and friends,

In the last blog I told you that Mike and I were heading to the Lionel Richie concert. It was awesome, and Lionel and I made a connection – he pointed and smiled at me and I gave it right back. He keep coming back and all the band members looked down at me wondering who he kept pointing to! It was a BIG DEAL! …. At least to me it was and that's really "me" in the foreground of the photo!

"Say you, say me".....

"Stuck on you..."

The last few days have been quit busy with doctor appointments trying to get things in order so that I can head out of AZ to Portland for a few days to visit with my sister, Megan and her family. I will then fly from OR to Park City to meet up with Mike and friends to spend a very fun weekend doing lots of activities and one big outdoor dinner on Main Street This may be the last really fun week for a bit. Why?

I found out that I will have to go thru chemotherapy and then radiation. The Oncotype DX test, which was conducted on my tumor, came back on the higher side. So, although it means I have to have chemo, it also means that the cancer will react positively to chemo reducing the chance of reoccurrence in combination with drugs for the next five years.

The treatment that will be used is called TC Chemotherapy which is a very common for breast cancer patients. Although I think I am prepared for the side effects – I bought two wigs this weekend and one is red HOT - I am sure that I will feel some bumps along the way.

The chemotherapy will begin on Tuesday, June 24^th and will be a total of four treatments, three-weeks apart. I need to be cautious about being around people and traveling due to infection caused by a low immune system. But, I do know that I am very fit and healthy which should help with the process.

The last chemo treatment will be August 26^th, and then I will take a few weeks to recover before starting the radiation, called external beam radiation. The radiation is every day M-F for six weeks. So, by the holidays I will be done and feeling much better.

I appreciate all your prayers and kind words. I am so disappointed to miss some very important occasions and celebrations this summer.

Love to all. Katie

Good news, more tests and Lionel Ritchie!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 18:58:00 +0000

Hi family and friends,

Yesterday, Mike and I met with Dr. Karen Anderson, medical oncologist, at Mayo. She is a neat lady, very bright, very patient, and is good friends with Dr. Jeff Trent (TGEN).

Dee and Dr. Jeff Trent at the Cycle for the Cure Fundraiser

Dr. Anderson did NOT say that I had to have chemo, although I was prepared for that conversation. She would rather have a test called: Oncotype DX done on my tumor first in order to get a better sense of any re-occurrence of the cancer and any benefit chemo would really offer.

IF this test falls 'low' on the scale for re-occurrence than we may very likely not use chemo and follow a plan of weeks of radiation, followed by 5-10 years of hormone therapy to completely suppress any estrogen.

The Oncotype DX test results take about 2 weeks, so our follow-up with Dr. Anderson will be Tuesday, June 17th where she will give us her final recommendation. She plans to include the other doctors on my case in making her recommendation. I will follow whatever plan they suggest.

In the meantime, there are a few more appointments with the radiation, plastic and oncological surgeon docs. I have two more tests this Thursday; a bone scan and bone density test. Because radiation can weaken bones, we want to know my bone density prior to radiation. And the scan will locate any potential 'hot spots' for cancer. Both tests are good precautions.

So, that is the update. I feel GREAT! I am anxious to get to do some workouts before everything just drops to the ground! Mike and I are going to hear Lionel Richie on Sunday – can’t wait. He is playing with CeeLo Green. I am thankful everyday for all of you.

xoxoxoxokatie

Ugh, more surgery....

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 31 May 2014 18:24:00 +0000

Well, if you ask me, I will tell you that I feel great. And, I look okay, although my workouts are a little behind, as is a mani and pedi! But, according to the doctor, I am not yet at 100%.

Tuesday, while Mike and I were on our way to my niece’s high school graduation in California, from my oncological surgeon, Dr. Barbara Pockaj, called. It is never good news when the doctor calls you.

Dr. Pockaj explained that she had pathology run two tests on my samples to be sure of the results. First, the good news is that the lymph nodes are clear. The not great news is that they need to get clearer margins.

The cancer that I had in 2009 was called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). There is now something called invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC). IMPC cancer cells are small are and arranged like nests. IMPC accounts for about 3% of all breast cancers and typically has a good prognosis.

Invasive MPC, means that the cancer has broken out of the milk ducts and has spread to the lymphatic vascular system, but again NOT into the nodes. Dr. Pockaj is had me come back Friday, May 30^th and do a re-excision of the area. All went well with the surgery. They pulled out a very small piece of tissue and checked for clear margins.

We are working with TGEN and hoping that there will be enough of a tumor sample that TGEN can use to do some testing. This may sound frightening, but we really have such a wonderful support team that we have great confidence that we will get this behind us.

This new development may likely change my after care program to include additional forms of treatment. We are prepared for anything that we need to do. Mike and I agree, that we just want to get this completely eradicated so that we don’t have to continue to deal with cancer. We will meet with the medical oncologist this Tuesday, June 3rd and learn more about the treatment plan.

At the graduation yesterday, my niece Sophia, as class valedictorian, spoke about how we make plans in our lives, and then there is God’s plan. Right now, I am not real crazy about God’s plan. But Sophie’s words keep pulling on me to try to understand His plan, so I am going to do just that.

Recently, my friend, Amy, sent me a very cool prayer. I want to share it with all of you:

In the name of the father, son and Holy Spirit.

Be thankful you don’t already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,

because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,

because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good times.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,

and they can become your blessings.

Amen.

In the name of the father, son, and Holy Spirit

*Thanks Amy for sending! Xoxoxox

I'd rather be bike riding! Surgery is tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 May 2014 18:16:00 +0000

Mike and I had a ball last week riding bikes in Napa with some friends, then spending the weekend in San Francisco with Monica and Elyse. We had beautiful weather and wonderful food. Over the past few weeks we have spent some great times with all three girls!

I have had a wonderful day today, yoga this morning, lunch with some friends, followed by a facial and dinner at the ‘Greenhouse’ with my husband.

Tomorrow, Mike and I will arrive at 5:30am at Mayo on 57^th Street. There will be some prep work and then the surgery will most likely begin about 7:30am and last about 4 hours.

The doctors have made some changes to our original plan. The oncologist, Dr. Barbara Pockaj, will remove the tumor in the right breast and any necessary tissue in order to get clear margins. Then, plastic surgeon, Dr. William Casey, will remove the right implant from the 2009 reconstruction and replace it with a tissue expander. The expander is a thicker and more durable material. It will be filled with saline thru out the next few weeks as I go thru radiation, in an effort to secure a good pocket for a future implant.

Radiation will begin in June and last 6 weeks, is our best guess. The final reconstruction – removal of the expander, replaced with an implant will most likely happen in November. I am actually really glad to get to start the reconstruction process tomorrow; it should make it easier going forward.

I have had lots of tests and they have all come back very positive, so in most likely hood, after November I will be on medicine and have clear sailing.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I do appreciate it. I am glad to get this behind me. Xoxoxox

Love to all,

Katie

Here we go again....

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 18:02:00 +0000

I am so sorry to be so impersonal and use this blog, especially with family and friends. On April 18^th I found out that my breast cancer has returned, I was just two month from my five-year anniversary.

Needless to say, Mike and I are disappointed to have to deal with this again. In 2009, I had a mastectomy with a latissimus dorsi flap procedure, and some of the cancer cell(s) were missed, which can happen. A small .8cm tumor has developed in the same breast and very close to where it was located last time. The tumor was discovered on a mammogram.

I have since had blood tests to determine the cancer’s characteristics. At this point, we know that it is estrogen and progesterone positive – which is good and means it can be suppressed via drugs. This week there will be an MRI and CAT scan for further diagnosis.

We have already met with two top oncological surgeons here in Arizona to get information and opinions on how to proceed. Thank you to Dr. Jeff Trent, President and Scientific director of TGen for helping direct me to the top doctors in the Phoenix area. I guess TGen is part of my “key to the cure”!

It looks like I will have surgery mid-May to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue, followed by 6 weeks of radiation. Of course, I am timing this so that I don’t miss a bike ride in Napa, my niece’s graduation, or our trip to Okoboji.

I am not going to fool you and say I am not bummed out. I have done absolutely everything possible these last five years to be sure that this would not happen – six-month check ups, mammograms and everything else recommended. I guess it is ‘the luck of the draw’.

But, we will get thru this again. As Mike has said more than once – he really is a ‘leg man’. Of course, I am teasing. I honestly am so thankful to have Mike by my side; he is calm, helpful, loving and supportive. I am thankful for all of you as well. We will keep you posted.

Lots of love,

Katie

All Is Good!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:11:00 +0000

Hi Friends and Family,

I have wanted to update my blog, but I have actually been pretty darn busy. I realized a lot has happened since the last updated on 9/11.

It has now been 3 1/2 months since my surgery and things are going well. In mid-September, I had a slight set back with a bad reaction to a bone strengthening drug which is given via IV. The drug is called Reclast and generally there are not side effects. I was given this drug because I am now on Tamaxifen which can potentially weaken bones. So, I was down and out for a few days.

On 9/21 I met with both my oncologist and oncological surgeon, both doctors were pleased and glad that I was working well with the Tamoxifen, which I will take daily for the next 5 years. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen to the breast, but not to the rest of the body. The type of cancer I was diagnosed with thrived on estrogen, which is why we want to block it.

I am still seeing my plastic surgeon monthly, although I keep telling him we really need to break up! I have had a few very minor healing issues so he still wants to see me. Or maybe it's all the interns that show up for each visit?!?

On the 9/22 I drove back to AZ, with Miss Kitty and Romeo (the bird) in tow. We were back for two quick days then Mike and I along with a group of friends were off to Hawaii for a week. We followed that trip with parent's weekend in Colorado Springs to visit Monica and see how her freshman year was going, followed by a trip to CA to check on the house, see a doc, and dinner with Amanda and Elyse - not to mention pick up my finished wedding dress!

So, things are good. Most of you already knew that I was doing well. Even though I I haven't been real good about updating the blog, it has been a joy connecting with each of you and feeling such huge support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart - which is located just behind my new boob. :O Love, Katie

More Good News!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:42:00 +0000

Well, I had some great news yesterday, I will positively NOT have to go thru chemo! I thought I already knew the answer to this (being an amateur doctor), but in fact I was mistaken and told that my new hematologist/oncologist, Dr. Rita Mehta, would be deciding on my treatment.

Yesterday she gave me the results of the tumor biopsy and it was found to be a colloid carcinoma type, which is good news because it's pretty rare (3-4%) and low grade which means it's very treatable and low likelihood of recurrence. It sounds like I will become a "regular" based on the follow up care. At the clinic it's interesting to hear the other stories of breast cancer survivors; a club I am now officially a member of and plan on being for a long time!

After meeting Dr. Mehta with Mike I left the appointment with a prescription for the drug Tamoxifen - which a friend calls it 'her cancer pill'. I will take this pill daily for the next few years. I had not realized just how stressed I was about this appointment until it was over, and now..........I FEEL GREAT. All is well. Thanks for the continued prayers and well wishes.

xoxoxokd

Three Weeks Post Surgery Update

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:15:00 +0000

It's Tuesday morning and I'm feeling great! I've been delayed in updating the blog, so thought I would do that first thing today.

Last Thursday, I met with Dr. Kobayashi and he removed the last drain - you can not believe the sense of freedom by having that thing gone (it's a bag attached to your body to collect fluids from the surgery that has to be drained daily, ugh).

Friday morning I woke up and washed my own hair (in a sink, but who cares) and got cleaned up, put on a dress and make up and waited for my sister, Barbara, to arrive with my mother for lunch. Monica Mueller, Mike's daughter joined us, and the four of us had a wonderful time. Great to see my mother and I know she felt a huge relief seeing her daughter up and doing so well. We had lots of fun hearing about Monica's plans for her first year of college this fall at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. We all felt like it would be soooooo fun to be 18 again and off to college.

Sunday was a great day, with a visit from Becky and Kevin Day who drove from their summer house in Carlsbad to Laguna to see us. The four of us, Kevin, Becky, Mike and I, had lunch at the St. Regis. Yes, that's the Pacific ocean behind Becky and me! Mike and I should have asked them the secret to marriage, since it has been 28 years ago that I was in their wedding! I have known Becky since high school and Kevin since grade school, lots of great history between us.

I met with Dr. K again yesterday, and his reassurance was a huge relief, so today I feel like a new person. His positive attitude is absolutely infectious! It is definitely contagious. Am I starting to sound like a doctor yet? I had not updated the blog because I was concerned about the pain in my right arm because I could not raise it past my hip. This lack of movement happens because the lymph nodes (7) were removed and nerves were cut. Nobody tells you much about the arm thing.

Yesterday Dr. K explained my fears away. What has happened is that when the nerves are cut, the signal in your brain indicates pain, but what's happening with your arm is not really pain, but kind of like when your arm falls to sleep. My current therapy is to retrain my arm and brain by moving it and doing exercises to get the nerves to send the right message to my brain. So, now I am moving it like crazy and although it feels strange, I am just simply waking up my arm.

Mike could have told me the same thing since he went thru this with his hip, but you know it seems more real to hear it from the doc. Plus, there is a threat, if I don't get this arm moving by this Thursday, then they will put me in physical therapy which I do NOT want...those guys are mean. Since Mike is experimenting with blogs he wanted to include his hip video. No, I won't be uploading my exercise video anytime soon!

I have an appointment this coming Monday August 10th with a new doctor, Dr. Rita Mehta who is a hematologist/oncologist, where she will determine the follow-up cancer treatment. Like my favorite soap opera, All My Children, stay tuned for the next update! Not sure what that will bring, but whatever....I feel so happy to have come this far and doing so well.

Love to all. xoxoxokd

There's No Place Like Home!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:18:00 +0000

Hi All,

First let me just say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your calls, cards, emails, and blog postings. I have really loved hearing from each of you. Your love is felt.

Mike has been a rock. He put together the blog and I think/hope that it has been a good outlet for him. There is a lot of stress when you get sick and I am thankful again for Mike's calm way, strength and endless love and support.

I got home yesterday afternoon, Monday and it was nice to get back to my own place where people are not coming in every few hours to wake me up and ask me how I am doing! Miss Kitty, in the picture to the right with me in the back patio, did not even ask me where I had been. Does she not know who feeds her and cleans her litter box?!?

Mike told me that when he did the blog it should be a place where I really shared, so I want to share my thoughts with all of you. I want you all to know how thankful I am to God. I may not say this as much as I should or as publicly as I could, but I am very thankful for all that I have been given in life, thankful for each opportunity and for each challenge. My nurse, Sharon, and I had an interesting conversation about why perhaps God sometimes throws someone a certain challenge - not to punish, but to remind them that they need to remember to turn to God more often.

So, I just want to say that I am thankful in a way for this bump in the road - really I am. This has really been a time when I have slowed down and been reminded that life is really good. That I have many more good things than bad in my life. I have more people who love me than most. And, when I think of the small boy in the elevator in his pj's with a drain tube down his front, or the young bride who is just trying to walk down the hallway as she recovers from stomach cancer - I am thankful.

So, we move through the next few weeks each day making progress. And yes, many of you girls noticed - I really did have the best looking docs in the hospital - just keeping MIKEY on his toes.

Much love to all. xoxox-kd

A Birthday Celebration!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:25:00 +0000

It's hard to believe looking at this picture this is a woman who just underwent a five hour surgery three days earlier! Simply amazing how fast she has recovered. Last night we all met in her hospital room for a pizza dinner to celebrate the anniversary of my 29th birthday, as my mother used to say. Well the best present I received that day is word Katie would be able to go home Monday cancer free! She is now comfortably resting at home (Dana Point).

I'd like to thank everyone for their emails, blog posts, calls and most importantly prayers. I know Katie will be reaching out to you soon too. The surgery team did an outstanding job. The photo to the left is the lead plastic surgeon Dr. Koybayashi in the middle paying a visit and his residents in training that assisted (nurse Monica on far left!) When even the doctors are high five'g each other you know it was a success!

Katie will pretty much be immobile for the next month while everything gets reconnected. It didn't stop her from watering her plants in the backyard today and brushing Miss Kitty. I guess its the small things that make you feel at home. Like falling asleep watching her favorite soap opera All My Children. Go figure!

As we were leaving the hospital a young boy in the elevator was attached to some type of portable device which reminded us both that cancer knows no boundaries. It does not discriminate. Yesterday, for my birthday, I road my bicycle from Angel Stadium (next to UCI hospital) to Del Mar with good friends Bennett Dorrance and Rick Kuhle. Rick "earned" a Livestrong bracelet for completing his first century (100 miles). Just like Sara and Terry Lee in this photo wearing the Livestrong bracelet in support, it's a constant reminder of what Katie and other cancer patients have gone through. Go Lance! Go Katie! Go little boy in the elevator! - Mike

What a ride!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:58:00 +0000

The roller coaster therapy from last week worked for both of us! After gritting our teeth and shutting our eyes, just like a roller coaster ride, we opened them up to find out the worst was over. Hearing Julie's voice saying Katie's lymph nodes were cancer free was a wave of relief. The ride was over, but the anticipation was gut wrenching.

I guess part of my therapy is being able to write and read on the Internet what Katie is going through and keeping "Katie's support group" informed. It's really hard to sit on the sidelines knowing there isn't much you can do. Tough for a control freak not to be able flip a switch and make everything better! You just keep a positive attitude, trust you have the best doctors, and let God take over. It's hard not to think about Carol Waldrop, our friend, who was diagnosed with lung cancer the same week as Katie and accept the fact Carol passed away last week. It doesn't seem fair.

So here is a quick recap if you want to read on. Blogs, just like Facebook and all that other social media stuff can get boring quickly. We woke up today, Wednesday, at 5am and headed to the University of California Irvine Center to check in at 6:15am (no pets allowed so Miss Kitty didn't make the road trip). It's a pretty amazing facility and rated one of the best hospitals in the US. It even has valet parking and they serve Dr. Pepper! A special thanks goes out to Lynette and Mike Hayde. He has been a friend and business associate for over 25+ years who pointed us to UCI, the great doctors and Julie Boyle who has helped coordinate everything. Lynette has gone through a similar challenge and within 30 minutes of reaching out to Mike I heard back from him. Within hours a plan was already being formulated!

Much to our surprise we were greeted by Barb Basalone, Katie's sister. After checking in and waiting her turn, Katie was greeted by all the doctors and "marked" up. Around 8:30 she was given a sedative and wheeled in for surgery. I occupied my time figuring out how to get wireless access, putting on my headphones, tuning into Pandora, and basically ignoring everything around me to pass the time. At about 10:15 I got the call from Julie Boyle telling me everything went well and the lymph nodes were cancer free! Then around 11am Dr. Butler, the oncologist, came out and gave me the rest of the details.He operated for about two hours with a team of at least seven and removed all her breast tissue and four lymph nodes. They tested the nodes while still in surgery and they were negative or free of cancer. They are doing additional testing on the surrounding tissue and will have the pathology report sometime next week.

The lymph nodes are the biggest indicators if the cancer has spread, so he didn’t expect any different results once we get the pathology report back. Unfortunately, he won’t know what additional treatment will be necessary until after he gets that report back. He indicated that based on her earlier tests she will probably have to undergo some type of hormonal therapy, but that wasn’t conclusive. If so, it might be as simple as just a pill. There is still an outside chance she might have to have chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Just keep your fingers crossed.

If the cancer should ever re-appear he said it would be close to the skin and easy to spot. I took that as a positive. Right now she is getting “repaired” by Dr. Koboyashi. Katie probably won’t be out of surgery until 2-4 o’clock this afternoon. The reconstruction could take as long as 6 hours. Dr. Butler was able to save all of the breast but we won’t know for sure until after Dr. Koboyashi finishes. I know when she wakes up she will be glad to be cancer free! - Mike

Cancer Free!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:21:00 +0000

Just a few moments ago I just got the call from Julie Boyle, the nurse helping Katie through the whole process, that Dr. Butler removed four sentinel lymph nodes and they were tested to be cancer free. Yahoo! The prayers and well wishes have been answered. She is still in surgery for another 4-6 hours while they do the reconstruction. Will keep you posted. - Mike

Surgery Date is Set - Roller Coaster Therapy!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:07:00 +0000

I thought I would pass on an update. On Wednesday, July 15th I will have a very quick procedure called a lymphoscintigraphy. This procedure is performed before surgery and used to follow the flow of the lymph fluid to the lymph nodes. It will identify the first lymph node to get fluid, that node is called the sentinel node. The test helps assess the stage of cancer and treatment. AT LEAST - this is what I understand. I thought I would share with you, since this is all new information. It is an important test, one I want to come thru with an A+.

Thursday, July 16th will be my surgery day. It will start at 8:15am, although we will have to be at UCI at 6:15am to prepare. The surgery lasts about 4-5 hours and then I will stay in the hospital for 4-6 nights.

On the advise of a friend who had very extensive surgery at UCI 3 years ago, I met with a hypnotherapist, Marilyn. She has recorded three CDs for me. One I will listen to prior surgery, one just before and one post. These CDs are to help keep me calm, focused on success and recovery. She has helped many patients with surgery, so I am glad to have this as part of my overall plan.

Mike will be on duty the week of surgery and days immediately after, and then the Devney Visiting Nurse Team will take turns babysitting. I have pushed Mike and the girls to at least join in with his family reunion for the second part at La ke Okoboji, and he reluctantly agreed. I know that by the time I get home, I will probably welcome the quiet and comforts of home - plus Miss Kitty will be here as my 24 hour care giver. Isn't she just adorable?!?

Yesterday we did a family (minus Amanda) day at Knotts Berry Farm - I really never thought I could do so many roller coasters and actually enjoy them. I keep thinking, if I can go thru this surgery, then I can at least do this roller coaster for 30 seconds! We had a ball, and as Monica and Elyse said - we did not get sick of each other in the 12 hours together. :) The girls are all three so very dear, you can not even imagine.

I am in Arizona tonight with my mother Ruth, Brigid, Dan and my niece, Summer - they come for dinner here at the house in about 30 minutes! I can not wait to see them. (picture above just added from the BBQ tonight) We will do a lot of wedding talk!

All is well. Moving forward. Thank you all for the emails, calls and comments on the blog which get emailed to me as soon as you post them. If you signed up to get the email notifications about new blog posts make sure you check your inbox and confirm your request.

Lots of love. xoxoxokd

The plan is in place!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:35:00 +0000

Hi All,

I just thought that I would send you guys a quick update on my doctors and what we have planned. I met with Dr. John Butler (picture on the left) last week, along with Mike. Dr. Butler is the head of the Breast Cancer hospital at UCI and is wonderful. You can check out a video of him here. He went to Sloan, and is conservative. He is ranked as one of the best doctors in America! I liked him a lot and we got an appointment quickly with him due to a good friend of Mike's. The diagnosis was the same as as Dr. Silverstein's at Hoag. You can click here to learn more about Dr. Butler and his philosophy. Make sure you click on Dr. John Butler's name.

Dr. Butler, just like Dr. Silverstein, recommended the plastic surgeon, Dr. Mark Kobayashi. who's picture is to the right. Julie Boyle, the nurse coordinator at UCI, then made the calls and Dr. Mark saw me on Thursday night at 7pm ! Dr. Kobayashi is an amazing surgeon and he will do the reconstruction which is a little bit involved as he will take some skin/muscle/tissue from my back and put it in my breast. This is called a TRAM flap. May take a few more days in the hospital, but UCI has a brand new hospital with suites.

It has all really fallen quickly into place. The docs are the best, and Julie Boyle the coordinator, has been wonderful. They have worked together for years and have a great team. Mike's contact has put me into a VIP status - really, so they all just really work to make this easy and quick. Looks like we are shooting for surgery in mid-July, so hoping to have it confirmed soon.

Mike will do the blog, but I had a couple questions from all of you and wanted you to know that we are getting things all set. We have the best and I really feel so confident. I have a small amount of fear, but who wouldn't? It is MINOR to the great way I feel about life ahead.

Bright note??? Megan and I confirmed the bridal dress on Thursday - Shelley and I found it earlier in the week and Megan loved it too. YEAH. (the photo is just one of the many dresses I tried on) I also looked at invites and flowers ideas so the wedding is starting to take shape.

Love you all. Thanks for the emails, calls etc. Your comments below also get sent to me immediately too! It's great to know I have such a strong support group.

xoxoxokd - Katie

Katie Breaks the News

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:55:00 +0000

Dear friends and family,

I am sending out a group email which I know may seem very impersonal, but I want each of you to directly hear from me this news.

Last week on Friday, June 19th, I was told that I have breast cancer. The cancer is in my right breast and is a .6cm tumor with 7cm of invasive cancer. I went in for a mammogram and they discovered the tumor, which was followed by ultrasound biopsy, resulting in the final diagnosis on Friday. The incredible part of the story, I was at Hoag Hospital in Newport, CA where there is a wonderful 'Breast Pavilion'. So, not only did I hear my news from the biopsy on Friday, but after 6 hours I went home having had an MRI done and having met with an incredible surgeon, Dr. Melvin Silverstein, who is the director of the Hoag Breast Center and has 30 years of experience along with having written text books on this subject.

In addition, I have an appointment on Wednesday morning with the head of the UCI Breast Center, Dr. John Butler. I will then make a decision between these two doctors, along with determining the plastic surgeon. The diagnosis is that I have stage 1, but because the cancer has metastasized to 7cm, I will have to have a mastectomy, along with immediate reconstructive surgery. While I am in surgery, the doctor will shoot blue dye into my gland which will perhaps travel to lymph nodes and then those nodes will be removed and biopsied.

I know you are probably hearing this for the first time, and could be in shock, sad, angry, confused etc. I know that I felt all of these feelings on Friday. BUT, I also left with huge hope, a game plan, and lots of support. I am not scared. The plan is to have the surgery performed in the next few weeks. We will not know until after surgery if I will need further treatment or what treatment.

Mike has been awesome, helpful and loving; as has my family and the girls. Mike will be helping me start a blog to keep you informed if you are interested. I guess my lesson is the importance of annual mammograms along with self-exam.....but don't worry I won't turn crazy on you and get on a soap box and preach. :)

What do I need?.....just a positive and happy outlook from my friends and family which is exactly what you will see from me. I love you all and thank you for your prayers for good health and quick healing.

xoxoxokd - Katie