Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving friends and family!!

I have so much to be thankful for this year...the 1st on my list is being a cancer SURVIVOR!! I truly could not have done it without all your love and support.

Curt's surgery on his little toe went well yesterday.  I will have my ovaries removed next Thursday, Dec. 5th.  It is a very short 30 minute procedure.  I will hopefully only be out a school for 1 1/2 weeks.

I love you all and am so thankful for each of you. 

Love, Rachelle

Surgery is a go for Dec. 5th

Hello friends,
WHEW...nothing like hitting the running...back to work and all 3 boys started high school basketball.  Plus we had a weekend full of family fun with Rebecca, Makayla and Kyle.  Such a blessing to be together.(but I am not sure my head is above or below water...bobbing I think) 

Curt is having toe surgery on Wednesday...please keep him in your prayers.  The Mulders just can't get enough medical care this year!!

I met a new Ob/Gyn this week.  I really loved her and will have her as my continuing care doctor. She is my age and super sweet.  Dr. Z will do my surgery on Dec 5th, but I will not doing continued care with him, as I would rather have a woman.

Another big appointment this week was getting fitted for new bras and silicone inserts.  It has been a very comfortable transition and I feel very "normal."  I am so thankful that God has given me such peace about my decision not to do reconstruction...I could not be happier with that decision...it feels right for me.

I also started doing some running/walking this week...I really have loved it.  I am considering a crazy idea for the Spring..I will keep you posted.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving...we have so much to be thankful for.  I am thankful for each of you.

Much love my friends,
Rachelle

First day of school blessings

What a treat to start my day back at school with these lovely flowers on my desk.  They are from the wonderful 1st grade team at school. 

I was a little nervous to go back to school, being that I was a total wreck when I left there in mid September, the day before my surgery. 

But I should have known that God would send just the right people to greet me with hugs, smiles and good wishes. 

My favorite moment of the day was when one of my older students appeared in my doorway for our reading group and couldn't wait to greet me, so she ran across the room to give me a big hug.  I really have the best job and work with such sweet kids.

Another wonderful thing I found today was the staff picture in my mailbox.  It was taken the day of my surgery.  It is hard to tell, but many of my dear colleagues are wearing pink to support me, even on picture day. 

Physical therapy is going really well...I started strength exercises today with 1 lb weights...hilarious!  I didn't even know they made weights that small.  But my PT and I were so proud of these small victories.(literally)

I hope that you all had a restful Veterans Day weekend and remembered the Veterans near and dear to your hearts.

Love, Rachelle

2nd opinion with the genetic counselor

Thank you for your continued prayers and for checking on my progress.

Today was an answered prayer for sure...just getting in to see the ONE genetic counselor in Spokane was such a blessing...she literally said that she has over 1,000 referrals waiting to make appointments.  There are 3 job openings for every genetic counseling graduate.

We have found getting a 2nd opinion to be extremely helpful for a few reasons.
1) Confirms what another doctor already said...they are in agreement
2) Adds new information to what you had previously learned
3) Just getting another perspective and opinion is so great

We met with the genetic counselor for over an hour.  Here were our big takeaways.
*I will have further genetic tests run for colon cancer risks and a few other less common breast cancer genes
*I have been referred to a GYN Oncologist in Spokane.  This woman is a surgeon and the most specialized doctor for cases like mine.(Praying for an appointment soon)
*My genetic variance truly falls in the "gray" area in so many ways.  What it really boils down to is how comfortable am I will the risk of doing surgery or not doing surgery.  Both have pros and cons.
*She advised us to keep our tentative date of surgery for Dec. 5 with Dr. Z, knowing that if we learn anything that changes our mind in the next month, we will cancel it.

I also met with my wonderful sub Katie who got me up to speed on my reading groups at school.  I head back on Tuesday.

Praise:
*Informative appointment today with the geneticist
*Wonderfully organized and wonderful sub
*Feeling good about my energy levels each day...seem to be back to relatively normal stamina

Prayers:
*Appointment scheduling with the GYN/Oncologist
*Clarity about whether to move forward with Dec. 5 surgery
*Transition back to school.

Love, Rachelle

Cancer free trip to Coronado

Hello friends,


If you have never been to Coronado Island, off of San Diego....YOU NEED TO GO.  It is the most glorious place...perfect sunny weather, beautiful beaches, tons of bike paths around the island, great places to eat and the cutest little Inn.(Crown City Inn)

Curt and I had the best little getaway this past weekend celebrating being cancer free.  What a perfect celebration it was!

PT has been going great...my physical therapist is such a supportive and encouraging person.  My flexibility and range of motion are improving and we will start working on some strength exercises next week.

Tomorrow we will meet with the Spokane genetic counselor...we pray that it will give clear direction.  There is only 1 genetic counselor in Spokane, so we feel very fortunate to get a 2nd opinion so close to home.

I head back to work next Tuesday...I am looking forward to seeing friends and meeting my new reading group students.  I have had the most amazing guest teacher while I have been gone...thank you Katie...you have given me so much peace of mind during a stressful time.

Praise:
*Perfect trip to Coronado
*The time to heal and recover that I have had the past 6 weeks.
*Beautiful flowers from my friend Becky

Prayers:
*Genetic counseling appointment tomorrow
*Peaceful transition back to work

I am blessed!!