Are you in favor of a mid level dental provider?

Monday, December 22, 2008

Good News

I feel like the luckiest person in the world. My doctor called me this afternoon with the pathology results of my biopsy. The findings are benign and all the calcifications were removed. I could hardly squeak out thank you due to my tears of relief. The biopsy site is pretty darn sore but it’s nothing that I cannot handle.

Count your blessings, I certainly am.

Welcome to my life.
Lisa

Need Your Prayers

Things have been a little unsettled with my life. We are almost put back together from the fire. The final step—carpet installation—is today.

We have been in the midst of a blizzard for the past two days. I kept praying for snow and now we have it, lots of it. We woke up this morning to 56° in the house. Our furnace went out sometime in the night and we haven't had our gas fireplace hooked up yet as we were waiting for the carpet to be done. I am so glad that the local furnace dealer takes calls on Sundays. They should be here within the hour. I had wanted Chad to remove the wall mount electric heaters for years and thank heavens, he didn't.

As you may know, my doctor found two small lumps on my left breast during a routine physical. I had a regular mammogram, diagnostic mammogram and a breast ultrasound this past Friday. The lumps in question turned out to be just dense fibrous tissue. I thought I was in the clear until the radiologist called me in his office and told me that there is a problem with the right side. He advised me that I have a cluster of calcifications and that I will need a biopsy to determine whether benign or malignant.

He also suggested that I don't go home and begin researching breast cancer online. How foolish of him to suggest such a thing. From the information I have found, cluster micro calcifications (the kind I have), are more of a concern than macro calcifications. I am a little freaked out, but am ready to do whatever I need to do. I am scheduled for a vacuum assisted, needle biopsy this next Wednesday, December 17th at 10:00 am. It will take a couple days for results. My doctor and the radiologist encouraged me with the positive odds that most micro calcifications (about 75%) are benign. They can become malignant so it is best to get rid of them. I am planning to take just Wednesday off work but that remains to be decided depending on my pain level. Chad and my girlfriends will be with me on Wednesday along with your prayers.

Oh, my cocker spaniel is in congestive heart failure and is really old. She has forgotten that she is house trained. If she pees one more time on my new carpet, I am looking for a new home for her. Her name is Snickers and she loves to kiss. Watch out for her perio breath!!

Welcome to my life.
Lisa

Ashlen Update

Yesterday, a yard sale was held as a fundraiser for Ashlen and her family to cover mounting medical bills. I was amazed at the outpouring of donated items. People were bringing furniture, tools, clothes and everything in between.

When the sale began, there were hundreds of shoppers and many were paying more that the asking price. They raised $5000 at this event. People are so generous and kind.

Ashlen has begun chemotherapy and is doing as well as expected. She is even sporting a cute wig. What a brave little angel.

Welcome to my life.
Lisa

Would you sleep in a cardboard box?

Every one is gearing up for the holidays. Shopping is underway and the decorating has begun. Every year, our community invites its members to sleep in a cardboard box in the city park. Now, I know this may sound weird, but it truly serves a purpose.

It is easy to take for granted that we have warm houses to come home to. Could you imagine not having any home at all? The night in the box gives us a little glimpse of what it would be like to be homeless. My son’s Boy Scout troop makes and serves homemade soup for three hours in the evening for anyone that wants or needs it before snuggling in for the night. It was a very brisk night and we haven’t even had snow yet.

Please remember the homeless, homebound and lonely. Go through your closets and find clothes you no longer wear or blankets you no longer use. Donate to shelters and food banks. It will make you feel warm…inside…where it counts.

Welcome to my life.
Lisa

Get some holiday perspective

The Christmas season is upon us. Chad and I went out shopping the morning after Thanksgiving. This is definitely not a task for the weak. I always love a good deal but let’s get real… Just when I’d thought I’d heard it all—welcome to Wal-Mart!

A Wal-Mart greeter out east was actually trampled to death by shoppers. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they stepped over him and continued to shop. At our local store, two men got in a fist fight over some toy and the police had to be called to break it up. I’m sorry, but nothing is worth that much. Please, for everyone’s sake, step back, take a breath and remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. I am so thankful I have my health, a loving family and a great job/profession. Patients are already bringing in plates full of goodies and gifts for our office, thanking us for taking care of them.

Welcome to my wonderful life.
Lisa