Feb 20, 2006 – Monday: The Verdict is in: DCIS

Feb 20, 2006 – Monday: The Verdict is in: DCIS

Today is President’s Day and so there was the possibility that neither the doctor’s (HMO) or St. Alphonsus’ Breast Care Center lab would not be open. I called early in the morning and both were open. When they heard what my query was, they both said that someone would get back to me. It was 10 AM when my primary doctor called. He sounded hesitant to deliver the answer. He finally said, “I guess you want to know the results.” I said with a firm voice, “Yes.” Then he said that the results of the biopsy showed that it was cancer.

This was really no surprise; I’d suspected as much. “The good news is,” continued Dr. R…, “that it is DCIS or Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, one of the more common forms and that it is in a mild state at present.” The name didn’t sound very mild; in fact, it sounded threatening. We talked about what the next steps would be: removal of the lump would tell us how far advanced it may be and radiation. May get away without chemotherapy. Some hormone treatment afterwards.” Because I already had gathered recommendations from a friend (who'd gone through this previously) regarding the selection of specialists, I could give that info to Dr. Rich and, as primary physician, he would call my choices of an oncologist and a surgeon, thus getting things into motion.

Well, at least now I had the facts. Before we hung up, Dr. R… said that he had hoped that it wasn’t cancer; that it was an anomaly resulting from the volleyball injury. He said that he’d be praying for me. Dr. R… is a member of our church. He advised me to seek a blessing after hearing this news.

No way around it: the emotions at such news just devastated me. Fortunately, another member from the church, Bill M…, was helping Rex with the clean up and final maintenance of our machines after their weekend snowmobile outing with the young men. Rex alerted Bill as to what was going on and the two of them gave me a blessing.

The blessing was beautiful. It calmed me a lot. It gave me great comfort in some of the unique things Heavenly Father said through his priesthood holders. Specifically:
I had many years of life ahead of me
Bless the doctors who attend me
Procedures would be minimally intrusive
Results would be the best possible outcome
Family and friends would be both a support and a resource in gathering info
to research, study and pray about.
This will be a blessing to our children and to our relationship

It was a day of calling family and friends with the news. First was our daughter, Lisa. When she heard what the blessing said, she was comforted. She later told me that at that moment, she and Greg called the children together, explained the situation, and counseled them to remember me in their prayers.

Next, I called my sister, Roberta. She did break down a bit but rallied as she expressed confidence that “if anyone could come through this, it would be me because of my attitude and spirit.”

Third, I called Maureen. She warned me that everyone and his cousin would have a cancer story to tell me. Trouble is, most are not positive and so it can get you down. Just gently tell them that perhaps now was not the best time to hear that story….

Fourth, began to call some friends.

Fifth, this evening Rex and I called and told most of the rest of our family, Robert, Ellen, Steve & Bree. They were all just blown away. Robert immediately emailed me some homeopathic remedies such as ‘massive amounts of Vitamin C.’ (In the future, both Wendy and Bree called often to check up on me and see how I’ve been doing. Their ongoing concern was much appreciated!)

Pat, Wendy’s mother, emailed the Reliv formula for fighting cancer. The formula is one taken by the founder of the company, Bob Montgomery, when he successfully fought his cancer. I have a lot of faith in Pat’s information. My faith is also based on my previous very positive experience in beating osteoporosis by drinking Reliv's basic nutritional formula plus its Reverse Age product.

It was a surreal day. I don’t feel bad. I don’t look sick. But I am. How then am I supposed to act? Should I go and lie down?