Sprung a leak

Hello friends,
We had an unexpected bump in the road this morning when I discovered that one of my drains had started leaking.  Basically the blood got too thick and clogged the narrow tube.  So we made a trip down to Dr.Guthrie's office.  Her nurse decided to just remove both drains as the drainage was fairly minimal.  They would have removed them on Thursday if we hadn't needed to go in early.  It was only a little scary and uncomfortable.

We will be watching both sites carefully and going back in if needed. 

Praise
*Rebecca's amazing help... She really was an angel.
*Huge thanks to the Tucker family for taking care of Abby for the first few days I was home.
*Margaret is here to help... What a blessing to have her here.
*Curt is an absolute trooper...I truly am so thankful!
*We were able to get in to Dr. Guthrie's office quickly this morning.

Prayers
*My two drain sites would continue to drain properly and will naturally heal on their own without infection.
*Comfort while sleeping... Sleeping on my back is a real drag.
*Emotional perseverance... Taking each day moment to moment and not getting overwhelmed by the time it takes to heal.  I'm not very patient.

Love you all!

Rachelle

CANCER FREE!!!

Yes...it is true!!  I just got a call from Dr. Guthrie with the great news that there was no cancer in the lymph system.  That means I am officially cancer free and will not have any more treatment. 

It is such an incredible blessing not to have to do chemo or radiation.

My healing has been going very well.  I am down to just taking Tylenol for pain and can get around the house easily. I am taking it easy and relaxing a lot to help with the healing.  

Feeling stronger each day

Hello friends,
We all slept most of the night, which was so GREAT!  I really feel so good. I'm so thankful. I even took a shower!! Rebecca h
helped to wash my hair because I can't lift my arms up that high.

I'm thankful for the sunny days.  It is nice to sit outside and rest.

The boys made a straw invention so I could drink my tea and not have to lean over.

Praise  goodGood for sleep, reduced pain, having Rebecca here to help, and new pajamas.

Please continue to pray for healing and that the boys can stay healthy.

Love,
Rachelle

Healing...day 2

Hello everyone,

I continue to be amazed by your generosity, kind words and prayers.  I am one LUCKY lady!!

Rebecca was my night nurse last night and she did an AMAZING job. It took quite a while to get the correct dosage of pain medication on board.  I sadly did throw up a few times and  pass out once due to the pain.  I truly think that God sent some angels to catch my fall, as I was walking from the bathroom and the next thing I knew I had fallen on the wood floor.  I don't have a single mark from the fall...again God is before me, with me and behind me. 

I have two drain tubes that have to be emptied every hour, and I can't do it myself.  So...Rebecca and Curt to the rescue.  I cannot thank them enough.

I was so touched by all the "stand with you" texts and people wearing both pink clothes or pink socks.  It is these little things that really brighten a difficult day.

Praises
*The surgery is now in the past...no more waiting. 
*Dr. Guthrie and all the amazing nurses were so good to me yesterday.
*Soft socks and ice packs
*Abby(our dog) is playing at our friend Kathleen's house..as she was too hyper to have around
*Rebecca and Curt...I would be lost without the help.

Prayers
*Continued healing and comfort while I rest
*That the lymph nodes would come back clear..they only removed one node on the right side and none of the left.  That is by far the most painful part.
*Rest for all of us..especially for Rebecca and Curt.

Thank you for signing up to bring meals to our family...here is the link if you are interested in signing up.(no pressure) https://mealtrain.com/8y3k28

Much love to you all.

Rachelle

Resting at HOME

Hello sweet family and friends,

I came home about 6.

  Resting on the couch while my amazing husband and sister are helping with everything!  I could not have been more blessed with all the love that was poured out to me today. I will update with pics tomorrow .

I love you all

Successful surgery

Hey everyone, Curt here. 

Just wanted to let everyone know that Rachelle is out of surgery and I am with her in the recovery room.  Surgery went well and she is in good spirits.  My brave girl.

Doctor said everything was as expected.

Thank you all for your amazing support.  I'm sure Rachelle will be updating the blog soon. 

Standing TOGETHER

OH my GOODNESS...I just LOVE all the messages of hope and encouragement.  I am trying not to cry with each one I get. 

The idea of all of you STANDING with me gives me so much strength.  The image that comes to mind is God in the middle holding my hand and all of you holding hands beside me on both sides.  We are a POWERFUL team...cancer doesn't stand a chance with this team.  I have been on so many teams in my life, but this team is full of my MVP's.  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Curt and Rebecca will update the blog as they are able...we will check in at 9:30...surgery at 11:30...if all is on time.  I think the surgery will be 2-3 hours.

I even took a picture of sweet Sophia's feet last night in her new birthday shoes without any knowledge of STANDING TOGETHER.(God is good..all the time)

Getting ready for Wednesday

Hello friends,
It is hard to believe that surgery is just around the corner.  I will check in at 9:30 AM on Wednesday morning and surgery will start at 11:30.  Dr. Guthrie explained that most of these surgeries are day surgeries, but we will be prepared to spend the night since we have a bit of a late start.

Curt and Rebecca will be at the hospital and will try and update the blog once I am out of surgery.  I would prefer not to have any visitors at the hospital, as I imagine I will be pretty out of it.  But I will look forward to seeing you all in the weeks to come, especially after the 1st week. (I think that will be the toughest)

We had a very nice weekend.  I was able to go on a walk with a friend, visit with a dear friend who has been through breast cancer and has been such a support to me, get pedicures with Kari and went kayaking down the Little Spokane River with Curt.  Today we went to church and got some stuff done around the house.  The highlight of our weekend was our visit with sweet Sophia.

Many of you have asked about practical ways to help our family.  I have attached a link to a "meal train" that you are welcome to sign up to bring a meal.  No pressure at all...if you don't like to cook...I will have other "opportunities" to help...I am sure.

https://mealtrain.com/8y3k28

While Curt was reading the paper this morning he found this article about my surgeon..the amazing Dr. Guthrie. It was a little reminder from God that I am in good hands.  I feel so blessed to have the "SPOKANE WOMAN OF THE YEAR" as my surgeon. 
Link to this article:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/sep/22/women-of-the-year-for-two-decades-dr-carol-guthrie/

Here are a few pictures of the peaceful weekend.  A huge thank you to all of you for your cards, texts, visits, offers to help, and prayers. 

Prayers--
*Praise for a wonderful long term sub...Katie is an amazing teacher and my students are in good hands
*Praise for a peaceful weekend...couldn't be more blessed
*Praise for wonderful family and friends

*Please pray Rebecca as she travels to be with us.
*Please pray for Dr. Guthrie and all the other nurses and staff who will be taking care of me on Wednesday
*Please pray for a smooth surgery and an infection free recovery

Much love to you all.

Surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday

I'm so thankful to have reached a decision about what surgical decision is the best for me.  It is a decision that I have wrestled with, talked about, prayed about and thought about some more.  I have never given a decision so many waking and sleeping hours.  This is a very personal decision and one that is directed by doctors, but also by my wishes and comfort level with risk.   I wish I was choosing between a trip to Disneyland or Disneyworld.

I will have a complete mastectomy and have opted not to do reconstruction at this time.  I can change my mind at a future time, but will not have that done now.  Throughout this past month, it is the only decision that I keep coming back to with a peaceful feeling.  It will cut my cancer recurrence rate down to 2%...the least risk I could have.  Both the Spokane and Seattle surgeon support this decision.

Both doctors have recommended waiting on the decision of the ovaries.  The genetic test really just showed a "variance" which doesn't mean a lot and they don't advise making medical decisions based on that test alone.  About 15% of genetic tests come back in this range and the vast majority turn out to be nothing.  I will go through genetic counseling and meet with a OB/Gyn in the months following surgery.  Again...a decision I feel a lot of peace about...I don't want to make a quick decision that is very impactful in my life.

 I was hoping to have surgery next Friday, but Dr. Guthrie's schedule was booked, so Wednesday it is.   I will have two days at school to hand the baton to my amazing long term sub, Katie.  I couldn't be more blessed to have her stepping in for me.  Without the support on my amazing para, Dody and teaching partner, Wende....I really could not leave with such confidence that all will go well in my absence.  I will likely be out 4-6 weeks.

I will think over the weekend about practical ways to help me and my family while I am recovering.

Thank you for your continued support, prayers, cards, meals, text messages, hugs and phone calls.  I couldn't do this without the help of so many...I am humbled by your care.

Love, Rachelle

Genetic test

Hello again...two updates within a few hours.  It seems whenever I am writing a post I get an important call soon after. 

This whole process has been lots of decisions that aren't super clear...rather the amount of risk I am willing to live with.  The BRCA 1 gene came back with some abnormality.  It literally falls in the middle of the range of totally benign and pathogenic.  This is a 5 point scale and I am a 3!!  Are you kidding me??? 

So, I have reached out to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance again to get a 2nd opinion from Dr. Flanagan and will talk with Dr. Guthrie this evening.  The main question is..."Do we remove the ovaries during the double mastectomy?"  I am leaning towards YES...but I want to make sure that is a wise decision,   as it will throw me into menopause...ready or not.

Of course, we had hoped the genetic tests came back clear, but I honestly want to know all my risks so I am not surprised later.  And finding this out so early is really a blessing in disguise.

Please, please continue to pray for clear direction and surgery scheduling.  Thank you dear friends.

Informative appointment

Hello friends,
I hope that you are having a great week...it sure feels like Fall around here.

We had a very informative meeting with the plastic surgeon yesterday.  The doctor was very kind and supportive.  He was in no way trying to "sell" his services...rather inform us of all the pros and cons of various reconstructive options.

After much thinking and praying...I think we are still leaning towards not doing reconstruction for many reasons.  I am trying to trust my gut feeling that I keep returning to..while giving each option lots of thinking.

We are still awaiting the genetic test results...which will hopefully be soon.  That will be the final step for scheduling the double mastectomy. 

I had a very peaceful weekend and was able to not think about cancer very much.  What a gift!!

Please continue to pray for surgery scheduling and the genetic test.  I hope that it moves along quickly so we can move towards healing and being CANCER FREE!!

Thanks for respecting my decision and knowing that lots of lots of thought have gone into the process.  This is the right decision for me...but everyone is different.

Love, Rachelle

Home from Seattle safe and sound

We had very informative visit to Seattle Cancer Care today.  We are so thankful for the expertise of Dr. Flanagan and the wonderful nurses, volunteers and people in Seattle.  It really is a well oiled machine.  There were many musicians playing soft music in various waiting rooms, volunteers coming around with water and snacks and beautiful views of the city.  However, it was very sad to see so many people in one place affected by cancer...it takes your breath away and brings tears to your eyes. 

We had a very quick trip over this morning and plenty of time for a walk along the waterfront before checking in.  My roomate, Margaret met us up there and it was an incredible blessing to have her there.  She added so much joy and great perspective to a very stressful day.  I realized that I met Margaret at PLU over 27 years ago...no wonder she knows me so well.  THANK YOU!!

Dr. Flanagan confirmed many of the details of my case that Dr. Guthrie had shared with us.  This was an answer to prayer...as having a whole new set of eyes on your case if very helpful.  She, with the help of their radiologist, also think that there is only 1 duct with cancer, the spot they originally biopsied.  She felt that the other suspicious areas/shading were just from trauma to the tissue after the biopsy.  She also agreed that it was stage 0 DCIS...an excellent long term prognosis.  Now we will just weigh the pros and cons of each treatment option and decide on next steps.  One new decision today was to wait for surgery until we get the genetic testing back...this will influence our final decision.  Only about 5-10% of breast cancer has a genetic link.  We will not get those results back for about 2 weeks.

Curt and I had a lot of time to talk on the way home.  I cannot tell you how much his unending support and encouragement have meant to me....I couldn't do this alone. 

We are looking forward to a good night's sleep...as last night was kind of short and choppy. 

I so appreciated all your texts today...checking in..sending verses or songs of encouragement and kind words of hope.  I am blessed!!

Love, Rachelle

ALL IS CLEAR!!! The liver looks normal..praise GOD!!

Hello family and friends,

Your comments are not showing up on the blog..so feel free to just text me.

I literally was in the process of writing this and got a all from Dr. Guthrie...my liver looks totally normal.  I am crying tears of joy.  Thank you for your prayers...they mean the world to me.

Our appointment with Dr. Guthrie went very well this morning.  She was very supportive and we discussed many treatment options.  We are almost 100% sure that I will have a double mastectomy..to get rid of the DCIS in the right breast and to prevent any future problems.  This is a fairly aggressive surgery to treat DCIS, but it requires NO radiation or estrogen blocking medication, if the lymph nodes are clear.(they appear to be on the MRI) There are many potential side effects from both radiation and estrogen blocking medication. 

The tumor board that Dr. Guthrie reviewed our case with this morning were in agreement about my diagnosis and treatment options.

We are still weighing the options for reconstruction and will probably consult with a plastic surgeon on Tuesday.  I am leaning towards not doing reconstruction, but will consider all the options.  My biggest goal is to feel comfortable in my own skin, and I know it is a really personal decision for everyone who has had a mastectomy.  I have talked to dear friends who have been through this journey and tried to feel out what feels best for me.  A big thank you to my friend, Janis, her insight and inspiration have helped so much...knowing she went through breast cancer several years ago and is doing AMAZING.

I had the liver ultrasound this morning.  It was very quick...maybe like 10 minutes.  It was really unnerving because the tech said nothing the entire time besides..."Take a deep breath and hold it...OK..breathe."  I just wanted her to smile or give me some encouraging words.  I know this is not her job, but it would have been nice.  But...like I said above...the liver is CLEAR!!

Bright and early tomorrow morning we will drive to Seattle.  We are scheduled to check in at 12:30.  One of my best friends from college, Margaret, is going to meet us at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.  I am so thankful for the distraction this will provide...and who doesn't want to spend the afternoon with our of their favorite people.(but I have to say that meeting at the beach would be a LOT better)

Again...I cannot thank you all enough for your sweet texts, cards, cookies, frozen lasagna, and even a special journal from my friend Stacy.  It is so comforting to know that we are supported, prayed for,  and loved by you all.  I will try and update on Thursday about our appointment...as I don't think we will be back until later tomorrow evening. 

Prayers:
-liver results would show nothing unusual(THEY ARE NORMAL...just got the call)
-appointment tomorrow in Seattle...we hope that they are in agreement with the Spokane team and have a clear direction for treatment.
-safe travel and energy for a long day ahead
-peace in the waiting

Praise:
-The liver is CLEAR and normal....just having breast cancer seems like a breeze.  It is funny how God works in our lives
-encouraging appointment with Dr. Guthrie...we really love her

I cannot tell you the weight off my shoulders...a week ago we were crushed to have the news of breast cancer...today we are praising God that is was caught early and is staged at 0!!

Love, Rachelle

Two appointments tomorrow

Hello friends,

Just an FYI...the comments that you are leaving at not visible...so feel free to text me.

I have an appointment with Dr. Guthrie tomorrow morning at 9:30 to talk more about the MRI, and next steps for scheduling surgery.

Then at 11:15 I have a liver ultrasound in the Valley at Inland Imaging.  I was very thankful to get it before our trip to Seattle on Wednesday.

Thankfully....Curt will be able to come to both my appointments..an answer to prayer.

Please be praying for both these appointments...it seems like there is never an end to all these appointments..but I am so thankful they have been scheduled quickly.  I pray that the surgery options are very clear and that the liver has nothing but cysts...which they saw on the MRI.

Love you guys,
Rachelle

MRI is back and looks very favorable!!

Hello friends,
Thank you for your continued prayers...I really had a great day today in Grand Coulee with my teacher friends at Lake Roosevelt.  I felt like such a "normal" person for the whole day...it was a nice break from thinking about cancer.  I am so thankful for my dear friends, Kim and Lisa, their hugs and words of encouragement were just what I needed today.

Dr. Guthrie, my Spokane doctor, called a little while ago.  The MRI showed no suspicious spots in my left breast...which I was so thankful to hear.  The right breast still shows an area of suspicion where they did the biopsy...which is to be expected.  There are a couple of small areas in other milk ducts that may or may not have any cancer.(I still have a lot of bruising and inflammation)  But there was NO INVASIVE cancer and NO LYMPH NODE involvement on either side....which is a huge blessing.  Dr. Guthrie will have my scans reviewed at a "tumor board' meeting on Tuesday morning...just to make sure that they are all in agreement with her perceptions and treatment plan.  I did have many cysts in both breasts and a few on my liver.  They will do an ultrasound of the liver to make sure it is all clear.  She said that the liver is often flagged in MRI's and not to worry about it at all.

We will see Dr. Guthrie on Tuesday to discuss next steps and likely to schedule surgery.  On Wednesday we will go to Seattle for a 2nd opinion at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.  I am thankful that they will have access to all my mammograms and MRI scans.

Here is to a weekend that will be filled with fun and a visit from sweet Sophia, the  foster baby we help with.  Putting cancer on the back burner for now and celebrating the favorable report from the MRI.

Prayer requests:
1) Quick scheduling of the liver ultrasound and that it would be healthy and free from cancer.
2) Tumor board meeting on Tuesday...may each doctor have wisdom and expertise to help us make the best decisions.
3) Safety in travel on Wednesday to Seattle and for an informative and confirming visit with our doctor there.   We pray that they are in full agreement with the Spokane team.
4) Surgery scheduling would be in God's timing.

Praise:
1) Wonderful day in Grand Coulee
2) Beautiful flowers from my Mom and Dick
3) Encouraging texts from friends
4) Restful nights sleep and high energy today

MRI is in "the books"

Thank you for your overwhelming support from my first post...the text messages warmed my heart.  I will try and respond when I can...but know that they each meant so much to me.

The MRI went very smoothly this afternoon and I even got a compliment for the "fastest" person getting out of the MRI machine once the scans were done.  I know that probably doesn't surprise many of you.

Thankfully, at the last minute, I decided to have the headphones with Christian music.  Truly each and every song was sent straight from God through the Pandora station.  The first being, "thank you for the scars...."  It kept my mind at peace and my body still and comfortable.  It always amazes me that God cares about all the little and big things in our life. 

A big thanks to my Mom for taking me to my appointment and even squeezing in lunch before my massage at 2:20.  I tried to imagine the MRI machine was like a massage, as I was laying on my stomach...but the real massage was WAY BETTER.  I am pretty sure I took a nap during part of it...which was perfect.

Upcoming prayer requests:
1) We should hear back from Dr. Guthrie with the radiologist's report from the MRI late tomorrow or Monday.(most likely on Monday)   We continue to pray that there is nothing else of concern on the MRI scans and that the pictures were clear and easy to read.
2) Peaceful weekend before we head to Seattle on Wednesday to meet with the doctors at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Praise:
1) Peaceful night sleep last night for Curt and I
2) Calm heart during the MRI
3) Inland Imaging has the MRI and Mammograms results burned on a thumb drive for me to take to Seattle...we are thankful they got it done quickly.
4) ALL OF YOU and your love and support.

We love you all and will update when we hear back about the MRI results.

Love, Rachelle

How to break the news?

Hello friends,
I hope that this blog will help keep you...my friends and family updated about my journey to wholeness and health.

There is no easy way to tell people that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I have really struggled with who to tell, when, and how much.  It has been hard to share information, when it seems that we don't have a lot to tell yet.  And I have been very uncomfortable about the amount of "attention" this brings...I don't like being in the spotlight...unless I am crushing a volleyball...haha!

My dear friend, Kelly, sent a card and signed it from your "care crew."  I loved it...it inspired me to start the blog and share with those closest to me how they can pray for me and if there are care needs that arise.

The big question you are likely asking yourself is...WHAT?? WHEN?  HOW??  These are lots of the questions I have been wrestling with.  A quick back history.  I had a routine mammogram at the end of July.  I was asked to come back in and reimage the right breast for some unusual "calcifications."  They were little white specks on the mammogram, but they seemed to be gathering in an unusual pattern.  After the 2nd mammogram they asked me to have that spot biopsied.  I still was not overly concerned...but went in for the biopsy after returning from San Diego in mid August.  The biopsy itself was very painful and a traumatic experience, as it is all mammogram guided...which is not a comfortable way to spend an hour...let alone having them "drill" into your breast and vacuum out specimens at various spots. 

I finally made contact with my doctor several days later on August 26th to get the pathology results.  The area they biopsied came back with a very small(6 millimeters) of unhealthy cells and it is considered Stage 0 breast cancer, known more specifically as DCIS in situ...meaning it is all contained in a milk duct.  These are all very encouraging results and very treatable by surgery and possible radiation or chemo...depending on lymph node involvement.

I met with a breast surgeon in Spokane on Tuesday, Sept 3rd. (Dr. Guthrie) It was an emotional day..sending Jordan off to his Senior year of high school and the twins to their first day of high school and then going to this important appointment.  She answered a ton of our questions and gave us some great information about my diagnosis.  We are thankful for her caring spirit and expertise.

Last night my friend Kari and I attended an informational meeting about reconstruction options,  if I choose to have a mastectomy.  It was very hard to imagine any of the options they discussed...but will continue to think and pray about what is best for me.  You know you have a wonderful friend if they are willing to sit through that with you...thanks Kari!

 Tomorrow(9/5), I will have a breast MRI.  This is to get a different view of both the suspicious spot and any other spots that may have been missed.  We are praying that nothing more is found.  That appointment is at 12:45 tomorrow, please be praying for accurate results and peace as I lay still for the scan.

We will also be getting a 2nd opinion at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance/UW Medical center on Wednesday, Sept. 11th.  We are so thankful that my mom's husband, Dick, was able to connect us with this "Center of Excellence."  We want to make sure that we are getting the very best care, even if it means going on a few road trips.

I can honestly say that this whole experience has been pretty exhausting...mostly just emotionally...trying to navigate this journey on a road that we didn't want to be on.  But through it all we know that God has been with us each step of the way.  We cling to the fact that He goes before us, with us and after us.  I could not get through this without my faith that God has a plan and is in control.  In my devotional today the author said it so clearly, "I am never----in anything, anywhere, at any time--by myself.  I never arrive on the scene first.  I never step into a situation that exists outside of His control."  WOW...I want to rest in that truth when my thoughts run wild.

I will try and update this blog as new information is learned or new prayer requests surface.  I am not comfortable with this being out on social media or in the wider Spokane community.  But I want to ask those closest to me to pray,  knowing that there is power in that support.  So, I ask that you not share this information with anyone else, as I am just inviting friends and family to use the site at this time.  I know that circle will widen as we have surgery set and a definite treatment plan in place.

A few prayer requests:
1)Wisdom as we make decisions along this journey.
2) A clear MRI tomorrow that is easy for everyone to read and that it does not show any additional spots of concern.
3) Strength for our family...we have shared some details with our boys..but want to keep this as trauma sparing as possible.  Cancer has been a very hard thing in our family, as we have lost both grandpas' to cancer.  We ask that you not talk to your children about this or our boys.
4) Direction on whether to seek treatment in Spokane or Seattle...we hope this is very obvious after our visit next week.
5) Quick scheduling of surgery so we can begin the road towards healing...the waiting is very difficult.
6) Peaceful rest at night for Curt and I.

Several people have asked how they can support us at this time...here are a few ideas.
1) Send a quick text to check in...knowing we may or may not have time to respond...but it brightens our day.  Rachelle (509) 863-2893, Curt (509) 951-4344
2) Send a note or card in the mail...again...makes the day a little better.  9824 N. Jesse Ct., Spokane WA 99208
3) After surgery we would love help with meals...you guys know how much I hate to cook...I will let you know when that need arises.

4) Sharing words of encouragement, not advice...as these decisions are very personal and we have given each of them much thought and are trying to make the best choices for US.

It seems I could go on and on...but I want you to know how much we feel your love and support.  We can't do this alone...so we are so thankful for each of you.  You are now officially part of the Care(and Prayer) Crew!!

Love, Rachelle(and the rest of the Mulder crew)