Darci met with her operating surgeon this morning and we learned some positive things, particularly after getting the rather alarming news that there were six tumors on her left breast. According to the surgeon's preliminary post-operative observations, she believes that she got all of the cancer out, and that Darci is at stage 2. This of course is subject to further laboratory analysis of Darci's removed lymph nodes. Once all of the lab work has been evaluated, we will know what needs to be done next, and just how far the cancer has spread. Apart from these clinical observations, Darci is doing very well. Her nurses are commenting on how quickly she has bounced back from the operation. She is staying positive, and the effects of all of the sedative drugs have completely worn off. We are expecting to check out of the hospital tomorrow (Thursday). Please keep Darci in your prayers, and thank you to everybody who has helped us during this difficult time.
James
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
You know it's the night before your surgery when:
it's 12:30 am and you are wide awake. And you know you are me because you are already talking recipes with the night staff (at the Renucci house) and just printed off a copy of your favorite Butternut Squash Bisque for her.
We had a good dinner at Olive's in EGR, and I was asleep by 9pm (didn't sleep last night either).
I saw my surgeon today and learned something new. She was very nice, showing me all of my MRI reports, and then proceded to do an ultrasound of my left breast. She was measuring the tumors, and repeating the lengths to a nurse who was typing them into a computer. She got to the third, and I said "are you re-measuring the 1rst tumor?" She said no, this is the third." I said "how many are there?" She said "SIX". (I thought there were 2!) Then i said "do most ppl have this many tumors?" and she said "no, but this makes you UNIQUE." So now I'm unique, but I don't really think that's a good thing in this case?!?!
I'm going to go and find some more recipes for my new 3rd shift friend - I'll have plenty of time to sleep tomorrow!! James will post after my surgery. Peace and love, Darci
NEW POST: it's 3 am, and you know you are me when you (still) can't sleep so what do you do? COOK! I made chicken noodle soup and have blueberry struesel muffins in the oven. I've already started organizing the pantry too! One of the other ppl staying here has already called me a saint (a saint with 6 tumors in her left breast, but that's only for 7 more hours!) D
We had a good dinner at Olive's in EGR, and I was asleep by 9pm (didn't sleep last night either).
I saw my surgeon today and learned something new. She was very nice, showing me all of my MRI reports, and then proceded to do an ultrasound of my left breast. She was measuring the tumors, and repeating the lengths to a nurse who was typing them into a computer. She got to the third, and I said "are you re-measuring the 1rst tumor?" She said no, this is the third." I said "how many are there?" She said "SIX". (I thought there were 2!) Then i said "do most ppl have this many tumors?" and she said "no, but this makes you UNIQUE." So now I'm unique, but I don't really think that's a good thing in this case?!?!
I'm going to go and find some more recipes for my new 3rd shift friend - I'll have plenty of time to sleep tomorrow!! James will post after my surgery. Peace and love, Darci
NEW POST: it's 3 am, and you know you are me when you (still) can't sleep so what do you do? COOK! I made chicken noodle soup and have blueberry struesel muffins in the oven. I've already started organizing the pantry too! One of the other ppl staying here has already called me a saint (a saint with 6 tumors in her left breast, but that's only for 7 more hours!) D
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Two days and counting.....................
But at least we got a beach day today! (I think it will be the last). This morning my friend Tami and I took the kids to "Pancakes with Pirates". There was a maritime boat expo thingy dwtn, and this was part of it. The kids really enjoyed themselves. Gama and Papa are on their way here now, and my friend Laura H. is taking me out to dinner tonight (Thanks ahead of time!!). We are off to GR tomorrow. James will post here on Tuesday as to the results of my surgery - everyone just pray for NO CANCER IN THE LYMPH NODES!! I will be home Wed. or Thurs.
I have three people to thank this time -1) Amy, my nurse navigator in GR found me a (post-op.) camisole (not the pretty kind, it has 2 bags for drain bulbs on the inside) FOR FREE! 2) My friend Tami did not want me to get stinky wearing one camisole day after day so she bought me another one! and 3) My friend Jarka brought over a lemon meringue pie (for the in-laws, but it's 1/2 gone already) and some cool, kinetic go green type of tupperware. Just in time for me to put all of my RAW food in! Peace! Darci
I have three people to thank this time -1) Amy, my nurse navigator in GR found me a (post-op.) camisole (not the pretty kind, it has 2 bags for drain bulbs on the inside) FOR FREE! 2) My friend Tami did not want me to get stinky wearing one camisole day after day so she bought me another one! and 3) My friend Jarka brought over a lemon meringue pie (for the in-laws, but it's 1/2 gone already) and some cool, kinetic go green type of tupperware. Just in time for me to put all of my RAW food in! Peace! Darci
Thursday, September 9, 2010
And the kids are back in school........
It was a lot easier than I thought, they just said "bye!". Elena did cry on and off through the morning, so we'll see how she does today. What did I do while they were in school - you say? I fall cleaned and moved my bedroom around. Today I'm doing the windows and all baseboards. It seems to have gone from a 92 degree summer to a 60 degree fall overnight (at least over a week!), so I have lots of time to be inside cleaning! (vs outside watching the kids).
One other thing is I had an appt. with a naturopathic doctor yesterday. For those of you (which will be most of you, including me until 3 days ago), who don't know what this is:
I have to fill out a 2 week diary of what I eat, a 14 page questionnaire, and he has to read all of my medical stuff. Then he figures out what millions of herbs and supplements I have to take. What joy! He will also help me be (rhetorical, I know) be drug free during chemo. I'm excited to take this new healthy journey!
Everyone is still asking what they can do. Well, do what you do best! If you like to cook, so be it. If you like to watch my kids, then do so! If you like to buy me new flannel sheets, then go for it! I have taken most of the medical items off of my wish list - most of them are covered by my insurance (thanks to Kristin, who pointed that out!)
Last but not least, my thank you's. To Aunt Jo -Jo, who sent me a large bag of Essiac Tea (anti-cancer fighting tea) and to Amy, my nurse navigator in GR, who got me a post surgery camisole (it has special pockets and such) for free!! Thank you both!!
5 days and counting until surgery. Then I'll be one boob less. D
An update - my long lost friend Sonya, whom I found again living in TC, just paid for my visit to the Natruropathist! YOU ROCK, SONYA!! Thank you!!
One other thing is I had an appt. with a naturopathic doctor yesterday. For those of you (which will be most of you, including me until 3 days ago), who don't know what this is:
I have to fill out a 2 week diary of what I eat, a 14 page questionnaire, and he has to read all of my medical stuff. Then he figures out what millions of herbs and supplements I have to take. What joy! He will also help me be (rhetorical, I know) be drug free during chemo. I'm excited to take this new healthy journey!
Everyone is still asking what they can do. Well, do what you do best! If you like to cook, so be it. If you like to watch my kids, then do so! If you like to buy me new flannel sheets, then go for it! I have taken most of the medical items off of my wish list - most of them are covered by my insurance (thanks to Kristin, who pointed that out!)
Last but not least, my thank you's. To Aunt Jo -Jo, who sent me a large bag of Essiac Tea (anti-cancer fighting tea) and to Amy, my nurse navigator in GR, who got me a post surgery camisole (it has special pockets and such) for free!! Thank you both!!
5 days and counting until surgery. Then I'll be one boob less. D
An update - my long lost friend Sonya, whom I found again living in TC, just paid for my visit to the Natruropathist! YOU ROCK, SONYA!! Thank you!!
Naturopathic Doctors are general medical practitioners trained in family practice with a specialty in natural medicine who treat disease and restore health. In practice, the licensed Naturopathic Doctor has the ability to perform physiological examinations, laboratory testing, nutritional and dietary assessment, blood based allergy testing, and other clinical and physical diagnostic testing.
Naturopathic treatments may include:
Saturday, September 4, 2010
An amazing person (who happens to be a Chef in this city)................
whose name is Eric Patterson, was kind enough to give me a gift certificate to his restaurant, The Cooks' House. Here is his (and co-chef Jennifer's) bio's:
Biographies of the Authors:
Eric Patterson is current co-owner of The Cooks’ House in Traverse City. Patterson spent much of the past fifteen years at Andre's, Las Vegas' Michelin-starred French restaurant, including a three-year apprenticeship under the legendary Andre Rochat. At the end of his Vegas tenure, Patterson was Andre's head chef. He currently lives in Traverse City with his wife Theresa and their three sons. Eric is a sub-deacon in the Greek Archdiocese.
Jennifer Blakeslee is current co-owner of The Cooks’ House in Traverse City. She is a Traverse City native and culinary school graduate from the prestigious Johnson & Wales University. Blakeslee addressed her travel itch by taking chef positions in Italy and Mexico earlier in her career. She spent three years working at the Michelin-starred Las Vegas restaurant, Andre's, with Eric Patterson, her current business partner. She lives in Traverse City with her daughter Abbie.
I emailed him asking about putting a gift certificate to his restaurant on my "wish list" (on this blog), explaining why, and he was so nice to respond with a dinner for two (a seven course dinner, that is!) Eric, YOU ROCK!! Their book is shown to the right, and by clicking on it you will be taken to their website.
That reminds me, (because so many ppl have been asking what they can do to help), I now have a wish list for those who want to do something for me but live far away. (Those of you that live close are cooking for me and watching my kids - HA!). It's located on the right side of the blog. That's all for now - surgery is 10 days and counting. Peace, Darci
Biographies of the Authors:Eric Patterson is current co-owner of The Cooks’ House in Traverse City. Patterson spent much of the past fifteen years at Andre's, Las Vegas' Michelin-starred French restaurant, including a three-year apprenticeship under the legendary Andre Rochat. At the end of his Vegas tenure, Patterson was Andre's head chef. He currently lives in Traverse City with his wife Theresa and their three sons. Eric is a sub-deacon in the Greek Archdiocese.
Jennifer Blakeslee is current co-owner of The Cooks’ House in Traverse City. She is a Traverse City native and culinary school graduate from the prestigious Johnson & Wales University. Blakeslee addressed her travel itch by taking chef positions in Italy and Mexico earlier in her career. She spent three years working at the Michelin-starred Las Vegas restaurant, Andre's, with Eric Patterson, her current business partner. She lives in Traverse City with her daughter Abbie.
I emailed him asking about putting a gift certificate to his restaurant on my "wish list" (on this blog), explaining why, and he was so nice to respond with a dinner for two (a seven course dinner, that is!) Eric, YOU ROCK!! Their book is shown to the right, and by clicking on it you will be taken to their website.
That reminds me, (because so many ppl have been asking what they can do to help), I now have a wish list for those who want to do something for me but live far away. (Those of you that live close are cooking for me and watching my kids - HA!). It's located on the right side of the blog. That's all for now - surgery is 10 days and counting. Peace, Darci
Friday, September 3, 2010
Surgery date
But first I have to start with this:
<You know you live in northern Michigan when: on August 31 it's 92 degree's, and 4 days later it's 62 degree's>
<You know your Grandmother is old (94, actually) when: you call to let her know when you are having surgery and she say's "why are you having surgery?". I say to remove my breast (due to cancer) and she say's "You have cancer?! Oh no!" And I've already told her (two weeks prior).>
OK, enough of that. I have to next go to my thank-you's (lest I forget). Due to Laura W. and Laura H. I was able to go to Meijers yesterday W/O CHILDREN!, and had a pumpkin spiced coffee from Starbucks! Cudos to you two! " Laura W. also sent me meditation (relaxing) CD's and 2 movies. Thanks! And last night "Miss" Kelly invited me out for one last hurrah before the s---t hits the fan, so thanks to you for initiating it, and thanks to my friend and fellow MOPS mom Nicki for buying my dinner (actually 80% wine, 20% dinner)!
Now on to the important stuff. It's pretty simple, really. Surgery will be at Spectrum Blodgett (EGR) on Sept. 14. I will be getting into GR on the 13th for a couple of things that need to be done before the surgery. I will be in the hospital overnight, but possibly 2 nights. We will stay at The Renucci house (kind of like the Ronald McDonald house but for adults!) James' cell is: 616-550-7076 if you want info during that time. My MIL and FIL will be staying in TC with the kids. I will be giving them all you local ppl's phone #'s in case they have any questions on the area, etc.
I have had a lot of ppl ask what they can do to help. In the next couple of days I'm going to be adding sidebars to the blog. One will be for local ppl who can sign up for dinners, watching the kids, etc. The other one will be an Amazon "wish list", for things I will need/want after surgery and during chemo. Everyone (neighbors included!) has been so nice and helpful already - I just feel grateful to ALL OF YOU for your love and support!
If anyone has any questions about any of this just comment or email/call me.
Peace, Darci
<You know you live in northern Michigan when: on August 31 it's 92 degree's, and 4 days later it's 62 degree's>
<You know your Grandmother is old (94, actually) when: you call to let her know when you are having surgery and she say's "why are you having surgery?". I say to remove my breast (due to cancer) and she say's "You have cancer?! Oh no!" And I've already told her (two weeks prior).>
OK, enough of that. I have to next go to my thank-you's (lest I forget). Due to Laura W. and Laura H. I was able to go to Meijers yesterday W/O CHILDREN!, and had a pumpkin spiced coffee from Starbucks! Cudos to you two! " Laura W. also sent me meditation (relaxing) CD's and 2 movies. Thanks! And last night "Miss" Kelly invited me out for one last hurrah before the s---t hits the fan, so thanks to you for initiating it, and thanks to my friend and fellow MOPS mom Nicki for buying my dinner (actually 80% wine, 20% dinner)!
Now on to the important stuff. It's pretty simple, really. Surgery will be at Spectrum Blodgett (EGR) on Sept. 14. I will be getting into GR on the 13th for a couple of things that need to be done before the surgery. I will be in the hospital overnight, but possibly 2 nights. We will stay at The Renucci house (kind of like the Ronald McDonald house but for adults!) James' cell is: 616-550-7076 if you want info during that time. My MIL and FIL will be staying in TC with the kids. I will be giving them all you local ppl's phone #'s in case they have any questions on the area, etc.
I have had a lot of ppl ask what they can do to help. In the next couple of days I'm going to be adding sidebars to the blog. One will be for local ppl who can sign up for dinners, watching the kids, etc. The other one will be an Amazon "wish list", for things I will need/want after surgery and during chemo. Everyone (neighbors included!) has been so nice and helpful already - I just feel grateful to ALL OF YOU for your love and support!
If anyone has any questions about any of this just comment or email/call me.
Peace, Darci
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