If you are randomly checking up on the Whaley family…get ready. If you have been anxiously clicking refresh for the past few days, I have finally moved on to the blog.<\/p>\n
This blog began under a different name and for different circumstances. It was started in May of 2005 by my brother, Steve. It was a way to keep all informed of the events surrounding Noah<\/a>. It has been through tough times, fun times, anxious and fearful times as we awaited the birth of 2 more children, and now it has taken another turn.<\/p>\n I have Stage 1 breast cancer. There is a 1cm tumor that mostly consists of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Defined as cancer that starts in cells in the milk passages (ducts) and does not penetrate the duct walls into the surrounding tissue; This is a highly curable form of breast cancer that is treated with surgery or surgery plus radiation therapy. <\/em>However, at the center of this area are cancer cells. The DCIS is a pre-cancerous, non-invasive tissue. But to say I have DCIS is not accurate, because that is considered Stage 0. The fact that there is cancer in the middle moves me to Stage 1.<\/p>\n We have two choices, both recommended by the doctor and both highly successful for treating the cancer. 2. Simple Mastectomy At this point, Ethan and I are doing reading and research about which option is best for us. We have met with a plastic surgeon and will probably meet with a radiation oncologist and my doctor again to gather as much info as possible. Those are the facts, as best as I can understand and put all this medical mumbo jumbo into Julie terms.<\/p>\n So where am I? My desk right here is a mess, papers of all kinds stacked up and really getting in my way right now. The floor needs vacuuming and I am sure my kids would love some interaction from their mother. I have normal activities to resume, but feel stuck in this hole. Someone handed me a card today that said, “You have breast cancer” and I don’t know how to just let that go. It is small. It is early. It is highly curable. But right now there is cancer in my body. I have been strong. Believe me, I am trying my best not to get emotional about this, there is enough of you out there for that. But how does one take this news? So, I guess for now it is sinking in. The idea is creeping in, usually about 5 am in the morning. I wake up, see the sun begin to rise and think “Ahhh, another day…. oh, shit, I have cancer.”<\/p>\n What I want you to know: I am okay. God has tested me before, I know what it feels like. I also believe and like the words of Paul that my brother, Brad sent me:<\/p>\n 1 Corinthians 12:9-10 I am not sure about the delight part yet, but I will have strength through this that comes from him and not from me. And, I have the best support group here in Spring Hill, TN that I could ever wish for. I have friends who talk with me, ask me how I am, ask how they can help, take my children at a moments notice. Friends who have prayed over me and prayed for me. Friends who know exactly how I feel and friends who want to just walk beside me. I know many of you want to be here by my side. Want to give me a hug. But know that those needs are being met by the people that God purposely brought into my life just for this time.<\/p>\n Ethan and I would appreciate continued prayers for our strength, upcoming conversations with Alyssa, decisions about surgery and prayers that it has not spread into the lymph nodes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you are randomly checking up on the Whaley family…get ready. If you have been anxiously clicking refresh for the past few days, I have finally moved on to the blog. This blog began under a different name and for … Continue reading
\n1. Breast conservation therapy
\nSurgery to remove a breast cancer and a small amount of normal tissue around the cancer without removing any other part of the breast.<\/em> I would have sentinel node biopsy (SNB) done during the surgery. They would inject a dye into the tumor site at surgery and the first (sentinel) node that picks up the dye is removed and biopsied. If the node is cancer-free, few nodes are removed. If the first few removed are cancerous, I would move into a different stage of cancer based on where it has spread. Following the surgery, radiation therapy would be necessary for 5-6 weeks.<\/p>\n
\nSurgery to remove all or part of the breast and sometimes other tissue.<\/em> Radiation would not be necessary, and I have the option of breast reconstruction at the time of the mastectomy. The SNB would still be done to determine the number of lymph nodes effected.<\/p>\n
\nBut he [God] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.<\/strong><\/p>\n