The most essential factor is persistence - the determination never to allow your energy or enthusiasm to be dampened by the discouragement that must inevitably come. James Whitcomb Riley

Heading into 5 weeks after surgery.... Things are getting better day by day. Thankfully pain is minimal and I'm starting to move around more easily. It's taking a while to get my left arm moving as well as I'd like. I'm going to physio twice a week which is helping. I'm not completely healed yet so my exercises are not pushing a full range yet. I need to be able to raise my arm over my head for radiation so I really have to get at it. Unfortunately I got an infection this past week which delayed me at pushing my exercises. But hopefully this will be the only infection an I can get at it!

I've met my new radiation oncologist, Dr.McClennan. He will start my treatment as soon as I can raise my arm above my head and the infection is gone. I'm hoping within 2 weeks we can get treatment started so I can complete another part of the "to do" list. I'm frustrated that there will be a delay but not much I can do about it. 

Pathology has shown that the chemo did a very good job. I only had a very small mass left and a tiny spot in one lymph node. The surgeon feels very confident she got everything. Now radiation will hopefully get any cells that may be leftover hiding out. I am very anxious to get phase III into action! Disappointed its cutting into summer fun, but the terrible weather is making it easier to take!;)

When a goal matters enough to a person, that person will find a way to accomplish what at first seemed impossible. - Nido Qubein

Well, it took 18 days to be rid of the majority of the pain- but I made it! I'm almost Tylenol free since Monday, so I'd say things are looking up. The first ten days after surgery may have been the worst of my life. I never left my bedroom for 8 days. I was so sore and so tired. But that is all behind me now. 

I've seen my plastic surgeon, who did immediate reconstruction and he says everything looks really good. It's hard knowing if I made the right decision with reconstruction. It's causing a lot of discomfort with the stretching of my skin and its difficult knowing I brought some of this on myself by choosing to do reconstruction. But, I've got to stick with my decision and grin an bare it. 

Two-stage reconstruction or two-stage delayed reconstruction is the type most often done if implants are used. An implanted tissue expander, which is like a balloon, is put under the skin and chest muscle. Through a tiny valve under the skin, the surgeon injects a salt-water solution at regular intervals to fill the expander over a period of about 4 to 6 months. After the skin over the breast area has stretched enough, a second surgery will remove the expander and put in the permanent implant. Some expanders are left in place as the final implant.

The two-stage reconstruction is sometimes called delayed-immediate reconstruction because it allows time for other treatment options. If radiation is needed, the next steps may be delayed until after radiation treatment is complete. If radiation is not needed, the surgeon can start right away with the tissue expander and second surgery. (www.cancer.org)

I meet with my oncologist today to find out my plan for radiation and to hear the particulars on the pathology of my mastectomy. Radiation will be daily for six weeks. I'm told its not painful but quite draining of my energy. That doesn't worry me, I can bounce back. 

Last week I started physical therapy at the hospital. I'm working with a lovely lady named Tracey who has lots of experience working with breast cancer patients. I am pretty alarmed at my inability to use my left arm because the lymph nodes were removed. Out of all the things I read and researched, it wasn't info I sought out. So although I knew physio was necessary, I was caught off guard by how much physio it is going to take to get back in use. Although I can't do as much therapy yet because of the reconstruction, we've started with Tracey massaging the scar tissue in my arm pit. Wow. That is toe curling pain. But I'm told I will feel better as it loosens up. She needs to do enough so I am able to raise my arm over my head and hold it there to complete radiation. I am quite aways from being able to do that yet so we're meeting twice a week to get things loosened up. 

I am happy to have my last week before daily radiation at the cabin with my boys. Loni is taking his first full week off in 2 years and the first week off in the summer since I married him!! He so deserves it. Our cabin has become our sanctuary and Loni might even like it more than me. I'm not able to do as much as I'd like with the boys, my energy and discomfort doesn't allow me to yet. But every day is a little better. I have my friends and family to thank for my recovery and my positive outlook. I have had so much support from everyone. They motivate me everyday to put a smile on my face and take it a day at a time. 

Thanks to friends who filled my freezer and dropped off meals. So thoughtful and generous of you. 

“Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.” - Unknown

Well it's been one week since my surgery. Every day is a bit better than the previous. My energy and strength is definitely at an all time low but I'm told everything went perfectly. I am so thankful for hearing those words. 

Within a few days, Dr.Meiers, the surgeon who did the mastectomy, will call with the pathology of the cancer. It will tell them what stage the cancer was at, after the chemo, and information about the cells so if there is ever a reoccurrence they will know more about with what they are dealing. Dr.Meiers said the chemo did a really great job. She could not see anything and the lymph nodes were hardly enlarged. 

A one week post surgery check up was very positive as well. 

As I get my energy back, Ill share more thoughts and words of wisdom but for now, I have to just sit, takes some deep breaths, and take a few more days to recuperate. 

Thanks so much to my family and friends for the flowers, gifts, meals, and get well wishes. I cannot believe the generosity of so many close and extended family and friends. Thanks for allowing me time to focus on myself so I can get well for my family and give back to all of you who have given so much to me. 

Home...

Loni here again. Just a quick update for everyone:

The "Short Stay Unit" lived up to its name, and Chantel was discharged at around 10:00 this morning. The discharge process was a little disjointed, with Chantel getting caught in the middle of the shift change, and it felt a little like a bird being pushed out of the nest, but I suppose there wasn't much more they could do for her at the hospital anymore.

It was a quick removal of the catheter and testing of the system, one last peck at the morphine machine, unhook the IV, learn how to empty the JP drains, here's your prescription, go grab a wheelchair, and off you go!

Overall, we both have to give kudos to the entire health care system on this one. I know it is often-maligned, but in Chantel's case its gone about as smoothly as it could...at every point in this entire process. And believe me, we are more than thankful and realize how blessed we truly are in that regard.

Chantel is home now, and resting. And we're quickly beginning to realize that although everything we have (house, vehicles, beds, chairs, etc) is built for comfort...its not exactly rehab-friendly. An iComfort memory foam bed is the opposite end of the "plush spectrum" from a Stryker hospital bed, and not quite as easy to adjust within. She'll take a day or so to get settled in, and then the visitors can start to come by.

Thanks again to everyone for your texts, emails, messages, cards, flowers and tokens of support. The love has been overwhelming. Keep putting out the positive vibes, and maybe mix in a few thoughts for those in Calgary, Canmore, High River, etc who are dealing with the unimagineable.

I've been beaten and broken but I healed though ... We've all got problems but we deal though - Inner Ninja, Classified

Loni here...reporting in for Chantel. I feel like I've texted, facebook messaged and emailed most everyone, but for those following along on the blog, here is a more detailed update:

Procedure-wise, everything went absolutely according to plan. The whole admitting and pre-op process went like clockwork, and every single professional involved was comforting and empathetic. Both surgeons performed their surgeries precisely as planned and reported back they went perfectly. Post-op recovery took a little longer than planned however, with Chantel being a little nauseous and needing some extra time to come out of it.

She has now been moved to the new "Short Stay Ward", where she will recover for the next couple of days. It got off to a shaky start, but once the pain and nausea meds set in and she found a reasonably comfortable position on the hospital bed and thermostat, she was able to get some sleep. I hated like hell to leave, but if I was to stay in that solitary chair another hour I'd be in a hospital bed beside her.

For those of you wanting to visit or send some sort thoughtful get well item, it'll likely have to wait. The short stay ward is a pretty no-frills place, and its one visitor at a time with some fairly restricted hours. Thank you all for your offers. Its the thought that counts.

Its been a long day. Other than that one fateful day we both absorbed the news that Chantel truly had cancer, today was the toughest of this entire ordeal. Its been a whirlwind the past 6 months, thankfully one that Chantel has been fortunate enough to come out on the positive side of every single time. But I think today was when this all truly hit home. Surgery is a positive thing...the cancer is officially gone...but surgery is real, and its gonna hurt, and there's no way of getting around it. I've taken my cues from Channy every step of the way so far. And in case you haven't noticed, she's been a rock, so we've been better than okay. But today's sendoff into the OR was heart-wrenching, terrifying and helpless for the both of us.

Thankfully there has been a host of encouragement and support from friends, family, coworkers and alumni. To say Chantel and I were "feeling the love" would be a gigantic understatement. Thank you one and all.

Tomorrow is another day. The first day of being cancer free. Let the healing process begin.

Until tomorrow,
LK

PS. before you think I've changed my musical ways to sugar-coated radio pop, I chose the lyrics in this title because they're the ones that stood out to me as I listened that song yet again tonight. I haven't been a big fan, but I'm starting to think there is some sort of cosmic connection because that song (and every other kind of ninja reference) is now eerily following us around everywhere it would seem. It even popped up on Sirius Hits One as soon as I turned on my truck tonight. Despite being spawned by a 3 year old who quotes every YouTube video like scripture all...day...long, this Ninja reference has gained a lot of traction and has become a rallying cry as we head through the darkest part of this whole ordeal.... If you've been wondering what all the ninja references are on the social media profiles, now you know. To those who know...keep up the good work. Hiiii-yuh!

I learned there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead, others come from behind. But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready, you see. Now my troubles are going to have trouble with me. – Dr. Seuss

Well the day has finally come. Almost 8 months ago- to the day- I went to my doctor thinking something wasn't quite right. After many appointments, tests, treatments, discussions, and readings, I'm going to have surgery and know with pretty good confidence, I've beaten cancer. After hearing many times, "your life can change in an instant" I've now lived it. It really can change in an instant. 

Tomorrow will be a last step to see this challenge through to the end and come out a better, stronger person on top.  

Loni will put an update on here for me for the next few days. Thanks everyone for all the messages, phone calls, emails, gifts and cards expressing your admiration and good wishes. You have all been an immense support to myself and my family. 

"A Ninja never quits." - Kane Kaufmann

When we were out on a bike ride last week we came across a little hill. I was  encouraging Lukas to keep going up the hill, to keep pedalling as hard as he could, and suddenly Kane yelled out, "A ninja never quits!"  How can a 3 year old already know the importance of never giving up?! This was such a simple but profound moment for me. My little three year old is will hopefully know one day that this ninja never quit either.  We now remind each other everyday to never quit. 

Surgery date had been set for June 19. I'm excited and terrified all at the same time. I feel I'm in very good hands with both surgeons. All I can hope for is that my body handles everything well and there's as little issues as possible. I'm told there should be very little pain which is what I'm hoping for. The mastectomy will be about 3 hours and and the reconstruction will be about an hour. I'm told one night, maybe two at the hospital and then home to recover. 

I won't lie, I can't wait to have this finished. I'm thankful to have had some choice for my surgeons, time to research my options, and time to talk with others who've been through this before. But its been long enough. Time to get 'er done. 

Radiation will start four weeks after and go for six weeks.