I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength

Today's doctor appointments were exhausting, educational and entertaining.  Here is what we learned: 

• I will have a bi-lateral mastectomy on May 10th. 
• The doctors found an additional cancer spots (1) one my left breast and (2) one on my right breast. 
• I will have an additional biopsy on my right breast soon. 
• My doctors presented by case to their oncology review board and it is their consensus that a bi-lateral mastectomy be performed due to my age, the known cancer grade, family history, etc. 
• In-between doctor consultations, my loving husband informed me that my "stripping career"will probably need to end soon...What goes through that man's mind? (Please don't answer that...) 
• My surgery will last 4-5 hours, with 2 surgeons operating at the same time.  They will begin reconstructive surgery after the mastectomy using a product called AlloDerm.  I encourage you to read about it!
• When I asked the surgeons about my recovery time,
• The male surgeon said I should be up and about in 2 weeks. 
• The female surgeon said it should take 6-8 weeks. 
• Whom do you believe? 

Chemotherapy will begin as soon as I feel well enough after the bi-lateral mastectomy.  I will meet with the oncologist again on May 5th to chart my course.  

God is good! Wanna' know why? My family took me out to eat at Mapleworks Cafe' tonight and I met so many community members who gave us love and encouragement! I also met 2 of my students from school (I have been their substitute teacher many times this year).  I was able to introduce them and their family to Dan.  Guess what guys - they want to visit our church this Sunday! So, I'm starting to see how God is using my breast cancer to positively impact our community. Yahooo! 

Oh, I'm cutting my hair short next week! Look out world! Short-haired sassy Courtney is comin' at ya! I'm hoping this will help the kids transition to seeing me bald once I start chemotherapy.  

We will probably have a head shaving party (in the back yard) in a few weeks.  You can come on over, have a drink with me and help me shave my hair! Let's rock this!  

Remember friends, you can do ALL things through Christ, who gives YOU strength! 

I am Not My Cancer

Trusting in Lord .... it's often said

Here we go again, another way to trust in the Lord and His plans....On April 20, 2016 I was given the diagnosis of invasive and non-invasive ductal carcinoma (breast cancer).

I'm starting this blog to keep everyone updated about my life as a Hip Lutheran Lady because I'm not my cancer diagnosis. I hope that this blog evolves to keeping everyone updated on how I am God's ambassador on a daily basis.  As you can see - there are links on different things for you to go read more about breast cancer. 

As of today this is what we know about my cancer:

• It's aggressive - I'm an overachiever ...what can I say 
• We know that my cancer is:
• Estrogen - positive
• HER2 - positive 
• We are waiting on genetic testing to make surgical decisions. 
• The process of genetic testing could take 2-3 weeks. 
• Please pray that we receive information sooner rather than later and that it provides decisive information.
• I will have surgery right after we know about the results from the genetic testing. 
• Either be a double mastectomy or a lumpectomy with a breast reduction.
• I might also need my ovaries removed. 
• Chemotherapy will then be scheduled - I'm not sure for how long this will last but I do know I will go bald (just think - I won't have to shave my legs!) 
• 6 weeks of radiation will be scheduled after my chemotherapy is complete.
• Once a day for 6 weeks
• HER2 therapy will last for 52 weeks 

This coming week, here is the run down:

• The Marshfield Clinic Oncology team will review my case in a team approach.
• My medical records will be sent to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX for a second opinion. 
• I will meet with:
• A Plastic Surgeon 
• A Radiation Doctor and
• My Oncology Surgeon 

A big shout out to the Heiting's and Eibergen families for the flowers; the Steinbach family for Monday's dinner and Shelly Schmitz for the painting! Many thanks to everyone who has put me on their prayer-lists.  

God is our refuge and our strength.