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February 7, 2012, 2:19 am

Surgery

July 1, 2009

Dear family and friends,

Since the surgery date kept changing, there wasn’t any reason to send an email, but at last I have a surgery date. This morning at 8:00 AM, I found out I need to back at the hospital tomorrow, July 2, at 7:00 AM for a 2:00 PM surgery.

I was at the hospital for most of the day for tests. Since I sent a text message out to many of you, I had the pleasure of reading your responses between procedures, which was nice — thank you. I never felt alone. The mammogram at MGH showed a tumor 1.2 cm, more than twice the size found at the other hospital. Now we are in a whole new category.

Depending on what they find in the lymph nodes, I will either be home or in the hospital tomorrow night. If there is cancer in the lymph nodes, they will remove them all, I will stay the night and eventually need chemo. If there isn’t any cancer, I get to go home. All the tissue removed is carefully tested after surgery to make sure all the cancer was removed, then, if needed, they repeat the procedure.

Thanks for all your support,

Christine
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July 2, 2009

Dear family and friends,

The surgery is over and there wasn’t any cancer in the lymph nodes! At least this is what today’s tests indicated. More testing will done to make sure they removed enough tissue.

So for right now, I am home with my family and friends, some are present and many are here in spirit.

Thanks for everything,

Christine

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I’ll keep my fingers, toes and everything else crossed that the nodes are clear.

The chickens (all 150 of them) and I will send out good vibes.

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July 8, 2009

Dear family and friends,

I didn’t quite understand the post-op instructions.  It said no aerobic activity for 5 days.  I thought they meant I would be ready for aerobics class and such in 5 days, so I have been taking walks “training” for being active on day 5 –  not what they meant.  The exhausting trip to the grocery store yesterday was a BAD idea.  I slept for hours afterward.  I have a bit of swelling from over doing it, which I will have checked.

Christine

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That’s great! I’m so glad to hear it, and I hope you’re feeling better post-surgery.  Congratulations! You’ll be hiking along in no time!

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July 9, 2009

Dear family and friends,

I went for a quick check up today.  I am healing well.  Another week or so and I should find out the results of the post surgery tests.

I would like to thank everyone for their support.  The emails, flowers, cards, txt messages, phone calls and prayers have helped me through out.  I don’t think I could have done this without all of you!

Christine

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Trying to enjoy a Boston Harbor cruise, but very tired post surgery.

July 10, 2009

Dear family and friends,

The doctor just called and my first set of pathology tests are clean, NO MORE SURGERY!!  Next the lymph nodes are being sent off for another kind of testing off site..  The Oncotype DX tests the cancer tissue to see how well it will respond to chemotherapy.  It costs about $5,000.  However, I have very good, expensive insurance and this is covered.

In one to two weeks, the results will be in and I will sit down with my team of doctors to plan the rest of my treatment.

Christine

Follow the link below to read the next chapter in my personal journey…


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