Love and Support

My parents, George and Ruth Smith have sacrificed so much to help my family out during my fight with breast cancer. My mom flew out with just a weeks notice in May and stayed two weeks to help my family for my mastectomy surgery. They were both able to fly out and spend two weeks with us in August to help with my 2nd chemotherapy treatment. 

My Aunt Mary flew out for a week after my 2nd treatment and was here with my parents and sisters. She spoiled me and loved on the kids. 

My sweet Aunt Betty flew out to help us with my 3rd treatment. She was so much fun to have around! She even took Mark and the kids to Disney!

My special friend, Joan, flew in to help with my 4th treatment. She is such an encourager and had calming way with the kids.

 My wonderful Mother-In-Law, Pam, came for my 5th treatment. My kids enjoyed the special time with grandma and I enjoyed the deep cleaning she did!

My dad, flew out for the week of my 6th and final treatment and at the last minute my mom was able to come out for the following week. She flew in the night before he left. The love, prayers and support from my family has sustained me through these difficult months.

I am so thankful for my family and friends who have sacrificed their time and money to make sure someone was here to take care of me and my family during each treatment.

Breast Cancer

Wednesday May 9th - Was the day I was to find our my biopsy results. I kept my phone attached to me all day...I was waiting for the phone call from the surgeon. By 10 am I called the office to see if the results were in so I could make my appointment to meet with the surgeon later that day. Maureen, his MA, called me back and told me that the results were in and normally Dr. Sherman prefers to discuss results in person but he understood how anxious I was and in need to get the ball rolling so she told me that the results were positive for breast cancer. She continued talking about sending the biopsy out to another lab for further testing to determine the type but all I heard was "positive for cancer...we will call the hospital and schedule your mastectomy for next week".

I hung up the phone and felt my throat tighten up...my good friend Denise and partner with Beyond Organic texted me to see if I had heard any news. I immediately called her and attempted to tell her what I knew through sobs and tears. It was true. I had breast cancer. My gut feeling was right again...

That afternoon I took the kids to the pool. They needed something fun to do and I need a distraction. While at the pool Dr. Sherman called me. He took his time discussing the type of cancer and his treatment plan...basically he wanted to do a full mastectomy asap. Again he answered all the questions that he didn't have to answer. Most of my questions should have been saved for the Oncologist but Dr. Sherman was wonderful and never made it seem like I was taking up too much of his time discussing things he couldn't really answer.

After I finished talking to him I immediately felt relieved. I had a plan. I had a kind, caring doctor who I truly felt cared for me and had my best interest in mind.

My mastectomy surgery was scheduled for May 17th 2012.

Biopsy

May 4th, I went by myself to meet with Dr. Sherman, the surgeon. My in-laws were in town and Mark took them and the kids to the zoo so I drove up to Rockledge by myself. I sat in the room alone waiting for him to review my mammogram and ultra sound reports.

Dr. Sherman came into the room dressed in brown dress slacks and a white doctor jacket complete with a bow tie. He kindly looked at me and asked how I was doing. I said "fine". He smiled nicely and asked me if I knew what was going on. I briefly told him "I found a lump, went to OBGYN, she sent me to get a mammo and now I'm here". He said did anyone talk to you? Do you KNOW anything? I said "No, should I be concerned?".

He sat down next to me and said "this looks like cancer...are you ok? are you going to fall off the chair?". I remember that moment so clearly. I replied "No, I am STRONG, I will be fine. I will have a melt down later". Then I proceeded to ask him a million questions. He was kind, caring and patient with me and attempted to answer all my questions and help me make a plan.

After I finished drilling him with questions (that he graciously answered as best as he could even though they were questions more suited for the oncologist).  He went ahead and performed the biopsy. After the biopsy he talked about scheduling surgery for a complete mastectomy the very next week! He talked about finding a plastic surgeon who could begin reconstruction during the mastectomy surgery. He suggested me taking the BRACA 1&2 tests to see genetic findings. He talked about starting chemotherapy, reconstruction... My mind was whirling when I left. I was in so much shock and there was so much to process.

I drove straight to the zoo to meet up with my family I didn't call anyone. I couldn't talk. I just wanted to see my family. I smiled when I saw my kids laughing and playing and having a great time with their grandparents. Mark came straight over to me and looked into my eyes and asked how it went. I burst into tears and told him "he thinks it's cancer!". Mark hugged and hugged me and kept saying "it will be ok, you will be fine. He will cut it out and and life will go on".