Tuesday, May 17, 2011
June 3, 2011- date set! Let's do this!
So the date is set- June 3rd, 2011- I am scheduled for Bilateral Mastectomy surgery. That is a sentence I never thought I would write. Or feel like I do about writing it. The date is one we had on our calendar to leave for our annual Family (extended family, grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc.) vacation. My favorite vacation, it consists of beach, sun, relaxing, laughing and basically enjoying the most important things in life- family. I told the doctor's office this was a good date. It made sense. We already had schedules cleared, vacation off work, etc. For everyone in the family, not just Ben. It was a perfect date. She said "perfect? really? instead of vacation" And I then I told her I want MANY, MANY more years at 'our beach' so I think this is the perfect date. And so it is.
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Bilateral Mastectomy is the best way to go. My aunt, whose husband is also a dentist, went with the Bilateral Mastectomy and said it was the best decision. Good Luck and I will be thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteBrett, i have no words. I just love you. you are so brave and so strong. love you.
ReplyDeleteBrett, You are an inspiration! Others will follow your story and gain strength from you...we are sending our strength and prayers!
ReplyDeleteYou are so positive and amazing!!! You truly are an inspiration :-) This experience will make those future, family beach vacations all the more special!!
ReplyDeleteDear Brett, I came to know your story through Liz Smith. I am a family Nurse Practitioner at a Duke affiliated Cancer Center in Beaufort, SC for the last 8 years. May God bless this journey for you and your family. A couple of thing if I may be so bold....Kuddos on the bilat. mast. My patients who have bilat. mast. do not regret it but many of the ones who had unilateral surgery do express remorse down the line. Because of your young age and multifocal disease you should really consider genetic testing. Even without a family history you are appropriate for testing. Many oncologists and surgeons do not think of this up front because of all of the work up involved in a new diagnosis but it is important for assessing your personal risk and obviously impactful information for other(even extended) family members. The reason that we do this up front is that if you do have a genetic mutation, then you would be at increased risk of other cancers(mainly ovarian) and could consider preventative surgery at the time of your mastectomy. I know this will be an awful lot of info but it could save you more surgery in the future and you would have the complete picture going into treatment. I am the one who does the counseling for this at my practice and I train other providers to do it at their offices as well so it is kinda near and dear to the heart..... If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me @ katymitchelljones@gmail.com. I cannot explain why I feel a connection to your situation when I do this day in and day out but I will follow the Lord's leading and see where He takes this:)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Katy
Thinking of you and your family, Brett. How special you are to allow us all into your life. The prayers will be many!! Mary Lee
ReplyDeleteBrett, you may not know me personally, but I am "Susan, the White-Haired Lady" at Dr. Crock's office. I had my mastectomy at age 35 in June of 1983. My sons were 1 and 2 years old at the time. I think we must be soul sisters.
ReplyDeleteIt had metastasized to my lymph nodes, therefore it was Stage 2 >>> chemotherapy for 5 months. I am VERY happy to report that next month is the 28th anniversary of my mastectomy!!! If I can do it, you can do it!
I'm sure you are making the right decisions for yourself with the knowledge you have. Believe it or not, I have fond memories of my family vacation to the beach during chemo ... me wearing a wig and playing with my boys in the ocean. I even almost lost my wig in the ocean.
Keep smiling and laughing and you'll do just fine. Susan Kamps