Addendum to 'Pathology Results'

Thanks Lori for keeping up with the blog!

First, let me start by saying pathology reports are tricky. :) Yes, good news to have minimal cancer cells found, but, great news would have been zero cancer cells! Obviously, there would be greater concern for cancer spread elsewhere if the several lymph nodes had numerous cancer cells. I can not speak for the Oncologist/Radiation Doc as far as what the pathology report means for Mana/Barb and her chemo/radiation treatments.

In the end, we are thankful for the physicians/nurses that God as provided for Mana to work with. They are dedicated to her as a patient and as a thriving 79year old. We have found great comfort in knowing they will do everything they can for her health and well being.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support for Mana. She has leaped over the first giant hurdle, but the journey has just begun.

Pathology Report

We just heard from Pete, who had heard the pathology report. Of the 14 lymph nodes that they removed during surgery, only 1 had a small amount of cancerous cells. I think that is great news - - I hope that Marla will post later to confirm that that, indeed, is good news! They will know more when they return to the doctor. The appointment is either Friday or Monday.

Monday, August 24

I really don't have any "news" to report. Thanks to Marla for keeping everyone updated on the day-to-day progress. We are kind of in a "holding" pattern until the pathology reports are returned, which might be today, but most likely, tomorrow (Tuesday).

I stopped by the hospital room on Thursday night after the surgery, and Aunt Barb was in good spirits. She said she was having minimal pain and discomfort. The main source of discomfort was that they would not let her drink coffee.

We also stopped by the house on Saturday afternoon and she was napping, which is GOOD! Grand-daughter Leah had driven down from Minnesota, so I'm sure that made Barbara happy to have more of her family around her.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support.

Day 2 post-op

Mana came home yesterday 8/21 around 2 in the afternoon. She has been a trooper dealing with her family hovering over her 24/7. I'm sure most of you know Mana/Barb doesn't like to be bossed! She has been up and moving around with minimal pain. Last night she even insisted on joining us for a wild rice soup family dinner and game of golf (card game)! We are thankful to have our grandmother, mom and beloved home with us recovering with ease. Thank you for your prayers and support. Please keep Mana in your prayers, as we still do not know the results of the pathology report of the lymph nodes that were removed.

Thanks for your time, God bless.

Pete McConkey Family

2 hours post-op

We are finally in Mana's room! She has begun her journey to recovery and to no one's surprise already joking around giving Pata a hard time and asking how the cubs did. So far she has asked for ice chips and a pillow adjustment... no other complaints.

The nurse did not expect Mana to have to much pain, for whatever reason usually women recovering from a mastectomy do not complain of a lot of pain. Woo Hoo! Mana will be in the hospital until tomorrow morning. Instructions for home... rest rest rest. More to come.

30min Post-surgery

Hello! My name is Marla Ellen I am Barbara Ellen's (Mana's) granddaughter. Mana made it through the 90min surgery with flying colors!!! We spoke with the surgeon just a few minutes ago. Mana's left breast was removed without difficulty. The tumor was confined to the breast tissue and DID NOT invade the muscle tissue or underlying bone structure. PRAISE GOD! The surgeon aslo elected to remove the lymph nodes (the drainage ducts of the breast) from her left underarm to remove any unseen cancer. The surgeon had the lymph nodes sent to the pathology lab to be examined for cancer cells. We are expecting to hear the news of the pathology report on Tuesday of next week.

Mana also had a port-a-cath placed. With this port-a-cath the providers will be able to draw blood as well as administer chemotherapy drugs through this device. (No more needle sticks or IVs!)

Our family is relieved to have the surgery behind us and ready to see our Mana in the recovery room. We are so thankful for the love a support surrounding us. The battle has only begun. Keep Barbara and her family in your prayers!

Thank you! Pete, Barb, Joe, MB, Juli, Neely, Marla, Seth & Leah McConkey

Pre-Surgery Report

We were at the hospital about 12:15, and they had already taken Barbara back to prep for the surgery. The surgery was scheduled for 1:00 and they estimate it to take about an hour and a half, so she should be coming out of it about now. She had a rough morning with some of the preliminary procedures they had to do - one involving some injections they do before the surgery so that they can see the lymph nodes, and I guess it was very painful and uncomfortable.

I am planning to stop by again when she's (hopefully) out of recovery in a couple hours. So, one of us will update again when we know something further. Keep those prayers coming, everyone!

Surgery Tomorrow

If you followed this blog 2 1/2 years ago, you will remember me as Barbara's niece, Lori (Wallace) Wray. I updated the blog to let friends and family know of her progress when she suffered a brain anuerysm in April of 2007. She pulled through that ordeal with a complete recovery and returned to a normal life, with the help of the prayers of so many of you.

In July of 2009, Barbara discovered a lump in her breast and underwent a biopsy. The results showed that she had breast cancer. The past several weeks have been filled with consultations with doctors, nurses, surgeons and oncologists. In meeting with her surgeon 2 weeks ago, she was told that it was possible that a total mastectomy might not be needed, but that 1 lymph node looked "suspicious". When she met with her oncologist last week, the news was much more sober: a mastectomy was required, and probable removal of at least two lymph nodes. He said that she had a very aggressive form, and that her radiation and chemo requirements would be extensive.

She will be undergoing surgery tomorrow, Thursday, August 20, shortly after noon, we think. She will be at Delnor Hospital in Geneva. She has been told that she can be released to go home the same day, but she has opted to stay overnight in the hospital for one night. She has been told that the recovery from the mastectomy does not involve alot of pain, as they will not be cutting through muscle during the procedure. The removal of the lymph nodes, however, does involve cutting of muscles, so she can expect some pain associated with that.

Joe and Mary Beth, her son and daughter in law, are in town for the surgery, as well as their daughter, Marla, who just finished her schooling to be a physician's assistant. I know that Barbara is very pleased to have Marla here to assist in her post-op recovery and to help her understand the procedures.

I will try to post updates as we have them, and also give other family members the opportunity to post. Please keep Barbara, Pete and the rest of the family in your prayers as they head into another difficult time.