ALL THESE APPOINTMENTS....IT IS A PART-TIME JOB!

I think I finally have everything scheduled...you would not believe how many appointments I have to go to prior to surgery!  A physical from my family doctor...a pre-op appointment with the plastic surgeon...pre-admission testing at the hospital...lymph node biopsy...AAAH!  It is a part time job just getting these arranged!  Things are going well...I feel like God has put people in my path the last couple weeks that have been such an encouragement to me...I love this saying by Marilyn Meberg..."I love the fact that God is a God who encourages relationships not just with Himself, but with each other.  I am thoroughly convinced that God loves us, encourages us, nurtures us and supports us through other human beings."  I am finding that to be so true!

MY SURGERY DATE...FINALLY!

My surgery date just got finalized today. I will be having a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction on February 22nd in the afternoon. I will be called later to confirm the actual time. I was given a date in late March on Friday afternoon and both Wayne and I were a little disappointed that it wasn't sooner. The doctor has reassured me that with my diagnosis it would be OK to wait that long...but for my peace of mind they would try to do it earlier. The plastic surgeon's schedule is super busy since it is winter and that is when everyone wants their plastic surgery done...I asked about using a different plastic surgeon but the nurse assured me that he is the top plastic surgeon in Northern Ky. He is a perfectionist and would be worth the wait ...so I just began to pray for an earlier date to open up and asked the nurse to please call me back if that happened...

They called me back with an earlier date this morning...Thank God for answer to prayer! Why do I always seem surprised when that happens?

HOW TO HELP IN HAITI

This is a mission our church supports in HAITI. Please click on the title of the post to help out and see what life is like in Haiti right now. My heart breaks to hear the stories of the estimated 380,000 orphans as a result of the earthquake...the children hurt beyond repair...families torn apart... This is one of the ways to help here at home as well as pray!

About Me

Hi--My name is Jennifer Clause and it has been a process just deciding to create this blog. I am 43 years old and I was diagnosed with High grade DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) in my right breast on November 6, 2009. This was found after a routine mammogram on October 30, 2009. I was called back for another mammogram to magnify the area on November 3rd and then returned the next day for a CORE NEEDLE BIOPSY on the 4th. I have had a MRI after the diagnosis just to make sure they didn't miss anything. It was all clear--thank God. The past two months have been a process of getting 2nd opinions, going to the plastic surgeon and praying for wisdom and guidance in making some decisions that will affect the rest of my life. Our holidays were filled with love and a real focus on HOPE for me. I really felt the reason behind the HOPE is Jesus and the fact that He did humble himself and come to earth as a baby just so we could have eternal life and life here on earth is just a small part of our journey--I have always known that but I really felt it this Christmas with my aunt going to be with the Lord, my dad's last Christmas season being pastor of our church and my diagnosis. I have felt so humbled by everyone's love, prayers and support during this time. I have had a hard time responding to it all and that has prompted me to write this blog. The cards, flowers and phone calls--I almost feel as though I should be sicker than I am. I feel great! I continue to exercise and work and do all the things I am used to doing....It is hard to believe there is cancer inside my body. I have no lumps--the doctor calls it STAGE 0 cancer and there will be no chemotherapy needed since it is non-invasive. Another big positive! The doctor has given me options on how I would like to treat it. He says "I am the driver and he is the car!" HAHA He recommends a lumpectomy with radiation and tamoxifen for 5 years. There is a recurrence rate of 5% with this option. I asked about a bilateral masectomy with reconstruction...and he said that was another option but he really wanted me to research it and do whatever I need to do to make my decision...."pray on it, drink on it or talk to other people". There is no recurrence rate with this option. The cancer cannot return! That is the end result that I want! It has taken me two months to come to a point where I am ready to make this decision. I am going ahead with a bilateral masectomy with breast reconstruction using tissue expanders. The date is not certain yet as the two surgeons have to coordinate their schedules. It is hard to describe the emotions I have felt to come to this decision and usually I don't have a problem defining how I feel! I am grateful that my cancer is one that is very slow growing and I have the privilege of having the time to make a decision. That is another positive! Despite all the negative, there are alot of positives! I am choosing to focus on that as I go forward in this journey. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog-- I know at times people aren't comfortable bringing the topic of my cancer up to me but they really want to know what is going on and at times I am not comfortable bringing it up as I am doing the normal things of life-being a wife, mom, daughter, physical therapist and a friend. At times, it is a little bit of a phobia...just being afraid of people's reactions and not knowing how they are going to react and is it a good time?...again, I wouldn't even have the words to describe the mixed emotions I feel at times. Thank you for letting me share my heart with you! I posted my birthday picture that was taken on December 15th because my wish for the next year would be to not just "get through" this but come through this in a way that makes me a better person and allow God to use this however He wants to...don't think I am truly there yet but I am working on it!