“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. 

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. ~Ovid

While waiting to hear the date for my surgery, I've been resting at home and enjoying the feeling of being on my way to completely cancer free. 

As scared as I am about the surgery, I'm very much looking forward to it being done. The surgeon has agreed to do a double mastectomy and a plastic surgeon will be doing immediate reconstruction. They both seem very confident and feel everything should go very smoothly. I'm hoping they're right. 

As each day goes by, I'm feeling more like myself. I feel so much better when I wake up. My head is clearer and I don't feel like I've been hit by a truck. This good feeling fools me into thinking I have more energy than I do. It's caught me a couple days when I tried to make it without a rest. Then the feeling of being hit by a truck returns. But as long as I take it easy, I'm feeling quite well. I'm getting to my level 10 classes with a cancer rehab group and really enjoy their company and the giggles we share in between hot flashes and huffing and puffing. I've enjoyed getting out to visit with my friends and my coworkers and have some laughs as well. 

Spring is a good time for renewal and implementing healthy habits. This has become my new focus while enjoying my active boys and playing in every puddle and every dirt pile we see along our bike rides and walks. Every challenge and rough day this winter has been worth it to be able to enjoy these fun spring days with them. So much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to!

How do you thank the team of people who worked together to save your life?

You take them macaroons from Le Macaron!! 

When you receive the good news I got this week AND it's "Nurse Appreciation Week", you can't help but want to somehow say thank you to the team of people who helped you beat cancer. 

It's difficult to find the right gift and words that express the gratitude you feel. 

"Thanks for saving my life." seems hardly enough to the team of people who gave you the chance to watch your boys grow up, enjoy many more happy years with your husband, and partake in laughs and good times with your friends and family for years to come.  

So 3 dozen macaroons and a note of thanks had to suffice....

A special thank you to all of you…

I’ve been doing chemotherapy for 24 weeks and have finally completed my last one!  This week all of my tests showed that the 9cm tumour in my breast is completely gone, my lymph nodes shrunk and no cancer has spread to my organs.  We can now carry on to surgery and the steps that will wrap this experience up.

My family and I can never thank you enough for your expertise, your knowledge, your care, and your sense of humour.  Walking into that treatment area was one of the scariest experiences of our lives.  But each of you, at some point - smiled, patted me on the back, cared for me, laughed with me, checked on me, verified my name and birthdate, poked me, untangled my pole, reclined my chair, got me a juice, covered me with a blanket, answered my questions…the list goes on.  

You are a wonderful team that shows kindness, courtesy, and respect to patients and to each other.  Although we wouldn’t wish cancer on anyone, we wish they could feel the quality of care we received in our 16 treatments.  

Thank you very, very much.

Chantel and Loni Kaufmann

Dr. Kakamanu,

As I complete my chemotherapy and move onto the next phase of this breast cancer journey, a quick note of thanks.  A few cookies hardly seem enough for your knowledge, expertise and care in saving my life but what really would be enough?  Although there is a bit for us to conquer yet, we wanted to say thank you very very much for all that you have done for me and my family.  We would never wish cancer on anyone, but we wish everyone could feel as confident in their doctor as we do with you.  Thanks for answering our questions, being confident and knowledgeable in my treatment, and listening to our concerns.  

Enjoy the macaroons on a coffee break!

Chantel and Loni Kaufmann