“…get your D checked. That’s what you can do for me cuz I know you’re going to ask.”
“Evergreen has a 2% reoccurrence rate. The national average is 16%. “
Family and Friends,
I struggle with how to start a letter that bares bad news. There really isn't any good way. On Weds this week I received a breast cancer diagnosis. I had a mammogram in Dec. They sent me a letter asking me to come back which I did on Jan 9TH for another mammogram and ultrasound. At that appointment they determined I needed a biopsy which was Tues. of this last week. Weds they called with the news. Thurs Jeff and I saw a Radiology Oncologist. Yesterday I had an MRI, EKG, blood work and saw a surgeon. This coming Mon. I will have a CT scan. I have 3 tumors in my left breast. The docs have said "where there are 3 there are more". There are 2 suspicious areas on my right breast, missed by mammogram, picked up on the MRI. Those areas will be biopsied on Weds next week. On Friday we will talk with the surgeon and schedule surgery. Surgeries are on Weds. Because there are more than 2 tumors the docs recommend a mastectomy. If there is cancer in my right breast I will have a double mastectomy. They don't believe my lymph nodes are involved but my left nodes are asymmetrical. They will be biopsied at the time of surgery. Without lymph involvement I won't have to have radiation or chemo which I am VERY HAPPY about. With lymph involvement it is a whole new ball game where treatment is concerned.
The docs and treatment are at Evergreen Hosp in Kirkland. I am in extremely competent hands. Evergreen has a 2% reoccurrence rate. The national average is 16%. They have been unbelievable in every way imaginable. When the Doc (Carlson, Radiologist) called with the diagnosis she had 2 appts sent up for me already. I have not had to make one appt or call one Doc. They have done it ALL for me. They have already checked insurance and all the Docs have spoken to one another. It has been remarkable. I have asked several people that are in the medical field who they would go to if... and the names I have gotten consistently are Carlson, Hunter and or Taylor, Johnson and Cascadia Medical Oncology. The people I saw before I knew who others would see are: Carlson, Hunter, and Johnson with my next stop at Cascadia. Funny how that works isn't it.
We have learned a lot already and are a bit overwhelmed with info at this point. What has been driven home however is the necessity for EVERYONE in the STATE of WA to have their Vit D levels checked. The short version is vit D aids in the 'natural' life process of cells. When you don't have D cells don't die and get eliminated as they should. That allows them to change forms and become cancerous. They are suspecting D is involved in our high rates of MS, Parkinson’s and Heart disease in this area. The Oncologist said "We know it contributes to Seattle and the state having the HIGHEST rates of breast and colon cancer in the country." NOT JUST SEATTLE. Get the message. It has to do with our longitude on the earth’s axis. Don't ask me anymore questions, it’s all I know. But get your D checked. That’s what you can all do for me cuz I know you’re going to ask. Get you D checked.
How am I? Tired and annoyed. Angie laughs or shakes her head when I say that. But it’s true. I am annoyed. I know I am not going to die from this so it just seems a GIANT pain in the ass. I am not afraid of pain and generally have a pretty high tolerance to it. Of course I have no idea what this pain will be like. I hate disrupting my life, my family’s life and my practice. I don't especially like having to tell all of you bad news. I will get over it. Hmmm Maybe. What will happen is I will get well. I will take care of myself. I worry about Jeff, Cole and Angie. They will be the most deeply affected by this as they will have to watch it all. It is hard to watch someone you love suffer. If you can do anything for me it is to make sure the 3 of them are well taken care of through this. And take your D (if I am going to be annoyed I might as well annoy you). Obviously you can pray for the 4 of us, in any way that works for you. I am not picky about prayer type.
Take your D
Mary
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