March update!

March is here.  It seems that February came and went so fast; of course it is a short month.  My unbirthday was nice.  I received the Thomas S. Monson Biography and a new electric can opener!  I enjoyed spending the time with my family.   Neal gave me some nice long birthday kisses, Camilla made me a few cards which were very colorful, Spencer helped with whatever I needed.  Eric brought home dinner and chocolate cake!!

Yesterday I went to Dr. Rich (For some reason I keep typing Rick..ha, ha. DON'T I WISH!).  He had the results of the oncotype Dx test.  I don't understand all the graphs and numbers, but basically from what I understand and with help from Lisa and Eric.  I am in the category of low risk for reoccurence of cancer.  9%.  Since I am in that group, the test shows that I would not really benefit from chemotherapy.  GOOD NEWS FOR ME!!!  So we made the decision all together, with MINE being the BIG SWING VOTE,  that I will not receive chemotherapy.  Tamoxifin does show it will be of benefit to me in keeping the risk of reoccurence down low.  Tamoxifin is an estrogen blocker and estrogen is a fuel for my kind of cancer.  So Dr. Rich started me on it last night.  I will be on one pill a day for five years. 

Next I took a blood test ,which if my insurance will cover the test,  I will find out more about my genes and cancer.  Which will help me as well as my kids; relatives.  My lungs are free of cancer.  Still checking on my liver; he didn't have the results yet.  I will return to see Dr. Rich every three months for two years and then I believe it's twice a year for three years.  The pharmacists told me not to take soy products or any herbal products because they help produce estrogen.

So now I will be going to see Dr. Bishop, the plastic surgeon, on Tuesday and find out more about continuing the reconstruction of my breast.  We'll be able to move forward faster now that I don't have to go through chemotherapy treatments. 

Spencer, Neal and Camilla are all sick.  Some kind of virus, running fevers and a bit of a runny nose.  I am hoping it doesn't spread to all of us.

My mom and dad are at a doctor's appointment.  I'm thankful they are here with us.  Hard to see them go through trials, but I am blessed to have them so close during this time.

I continue to feel greatly blessed with a wonderful family, great friends, good neighbors, great doctors and lots of support.  I feel the Lord's hand in my life daily.