2 Down, 6 to go

Sorry for being late with this posting, but the holidays kept me busy with family. Chemo #2 went well, I found myself more tired the 3rd, 4th, and 5th day after than with chemo#1. Other than the tiredness, I have felt rather well. Sure glad I did the Christmas shopping after Thanksgiving instead of waiting, the energy for shopping was about 1 1/2 hrs maybe twice a week.
Carrie, Jeremy, and Madison arrived on Christmas Eve around 3 pm and off we went to Church for the 5 pm service. I was asked to carry the Christ child with Carrie and Madison joining me during the "Silent Night" portion of the service. It was a very uplifting moment for us as Pastor Dave said a personal prayer for me and my family and then we returned to our seats. I have truly been blessed by God and by all of the wonderful prayers said for me across the nation and our wonderful friends and dance families. Thank you, thank you, Thank you. I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and will continue to have a Happy and Safe New Year.

Curtis, Sulein, and our new granddaughter Jia, will arrive on Monday the 29th and Carrie, Jeremy, and Madison will be back on the 30th for New Years .

Chemo Has Begun

One down, seven to go. Treatment today has gone very well. I feel normal so far and have eaten dinner and just resting this evening. I go for a white blood cell booster shot tomorrow and then next Tuesday (9th) for Lab work, if good, we proceed to 12/16/08 for chemo treatment #2 and we follow this regiment for 8 weeks. I will keep everyone informed as I go along.

Thanks for your continous prayers and well wishes. Jim and I are looking forward to the holidays with our daughter, Carrie, Jeremy, and Madison along with our son, Curtis, Sulein, and our new granddaughter Jia.

November 12,2008

Finally all 4 drains came out today. It makes me feel like a different person. Dr. Leonard released me today until May 13, 2009. I am free to do what I feel I can do without lifting, pulling or pushing. I am free to move my arms as to how I feel and the exercise is good for me, she even said I could do crunches.

We will know more on Tuesday the 18th, our meeting with the oncologist.

Thanks for keeping me and my family in your thoughts and prayers. I am a believer, the prayers have eased the worry and have been wonderful support.

Jim and I have truly been blessed with wonderful friends.Thank you ALL!!!!!!!

Update on Surgery results

The tumor removed was 8cm X 9cm X 6cm. This is about twice the size originally thought. The pathology report indicated 4 different types of cancer in the left breast. The tissue showed invasive mammary carcinoma, Lobular carcinoma, focal tubular carcinoma and ductal carcinoma. The right breast only showed pre-cancerous cells, there is no way of knowing if the breast would ever have been affected, but Jim and Bettie are still glad they made the decision for the double Mastectomy.

Dr. Leonard took 24 lymph nodes,14 of the 24 were cancerous. She advised us that Bettie would have 6 to 12 sessions of Chemotherapy and definitely some radiation to the chest wall, left underarm and clavicle area. The frequency and duration will be determined with her oncologist.

Bettie is hoping to have the drains removed on Monday. Time will tell. Keep us in your prayers.

Bettie Jane Update

Everyone has provided a lot of support to Bettie. She is very grateful to everyone. On Thursday she and the family went to the doctors for her followup. She will be meeting with the Doctor who will handle the Chemotherapy next week.

Bettie has been up and about since her surgery. She is feeling good. This time with her family seems to be working wonders for her. Hopefully we can get Carrie to update us in the near future.

Reminder, I know everyone wants to visit with Bettie. This is fine, but please remember that short visits are better. The more we let her recover now the longer visits we can have in 15 years :). Positive love is the best medicine.

On the love note, Donna Dorsey dropped off 17 Happy Pink Bears from different people. The Bears are to help BJ through the process. The basket of love came with a poem written by Donna.

When the days seem long and hard to bear
Isn’t it nice to be reminded, somebody cares
To look around the room and let your eyes find
Cheer, warmth, brightness, just the right kind
In every corner, baskets of care
Filled to the rim with pink teddy bears
Each comes from someone who cares,

Some dressed in a tutu, like prima ballerinas
Others with boas, tappin toes, jazzy little divas!
Plie`, tendu, Arabesque, releve`
Flap ball change, Shuffle step, dancing all the day!
They’re so proud to entertain,
to bring a smile, to ease the pain.

So pick them up; give them a hug
They want to let your know
Through all this, you are never alone
Your warmth and your friendship
Has touched their souls
They bring all their love, dancingly yours!
Pink Teddy Bears – Baskets of CARE!!!

The Bears are being looked after currently by Madison, Bettie Jane's oldest granddaughter. So no worries about their feeding and loving sessions; they are being expertly handled by an exceptional little girl.

Monday, November 3, 2008

I took mom to the grocery store today. She is doing amazingly well. She is resting in between a few visits and calls from friends and neighbors. Madison seems to be good medicine for both mom mom and pop pop. They are having a grand ole time. We are making sure she is taking it easy and not over doing it. But, she can almost put her arms up to high 5th position (ballet) already. Curtis went home yesterday and Aunt Carol is due in for a few weeks on Wednesday.
---Carrie

Bettie is home

Bettie Jane came home today. She is chipper and seems to be in great spirits. She is spending some time with her family. Both Carrie and Curtis are in to spend some time with their mom. I know everyone wants to call and see how she is doing but please wait for a few days so that she may recover from the surgery.

Posting by Lynn Delauter

Lynn wrote... I spent a good part of the day at the hospital with Jim, Curtis, Barb, Bob, Kay, and Will. We laughed a little and cried a little, and were all relieved when the surgery was over and a good report was given from the surgeon. I did see her for about 10 minutes after she got out of recovery. She was smiling and looked very good. Please check her blog from time to time if you want to keep up on her progress. She's an amazing woman, and I'm sure will be on that stage in June tapping those feet. We love you, Miss Bettie.Lynn

Bettie Jane will home

The news is that Bettie Jane will be discharged today. Until the doctors sign the discharge we will not be sure exactly what time she will be home. More to come later.

Bettie Jane is in recovery

Bettie Jane is in recovery. The surgeon remove 10 lymph nodes. There was no discoloration or enlargement. There are no real concerns with these. The tumor did not metatasize to the muscle. The tumor slide right out which pleased the surgeon. They removed the other breast and did not find any problem areas. Bettie is awake and is not having a real problems. We will post more later.

Bettie's surgery

Bettie Jane had a double mascetomy. She was coming out of surgery at 1:05pm. Everything went well. More to come in a few hours.

What you can do?

People have inquired in helping out with food. If you so desire to send meals please call for Carol, Bettie Jane's sister-in-law, and advise her when you are going to supply food. At this stage we mostly want thoughts and prayers. I am truly blessed with so many friends and families that have already had me "us" in their thoughts and prayers throughout this difficult time.

Bettie Jane's Surgery

The surgery is scheduled for Friday October 31, 2008. The surgery is being held at Frederick Memorial Hospital. Keeping checking the blog for updates.

Bettie Jane's Breast Cancer Journey

I am writing this blog, to keep everyone informed during my Breast Cancer Journey. Please check in for updates.