Thank you to ALL of my prayer warriors today.  It was a much better day overall, and I attribute that to the power of prayer.   My sister, Ashley, picked me up today around 8:45 and we had breakfast with a friend of a friend who had a double mastectomy and was willing to share her experience with us.  To hear first hand from the patient’s perspective was invaluable.  She was totally honest and upfront, and I was so appreciative of her advice and wisdom.   Her closing line was, “This is approximately 8 months of your life.  Put your head down and do what you have to do to beat this.  You’re going to do just fine.”  I want so badly to believe that.

After breakfast, I had to take care of some paperwork and drop off my labradoodle, Dodger,  to get groomed.  I did have to check myself when I realized I spent more time giving the groomer instructions on my dog’s haircut than I give my own hair stylist.  You might have a problem when…

Trying to mix real world stuff with cancer is just weird.  Life still goes on and you still have to do all the stuff you did before, but NOW YOU HAVE CANCER.  It feels like you should get some sort of pass, and I guess you do temporarily, but groceries still have to be bought, kids still have to get to school and the dog still has to have his hair cut.

I scheduled another appointment today with a different plastic surgeon to get a second opinion on reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy.  When I asked if some of my friends wanted to come with me,  I thought the office was in Plano.  So I texted to see if everyone wanted to ‘road trip’ together.  My friend, Catherine, quickly noted after looking up the address that, in fact, the office was just on the other side of Northpark Mall.  And while we could still road trip, it would only take us 3 minutes.  Since we are crazy like that, we all rode together and it was the most fun road trip I’ve taken all week.  Friends have a way of making even doctor’s appointments enjoyable.

I think it’s fair to say that the city of Dallas takes its plastic surgery very seriously.  We are surrounded by the most beautiful people, and whether it’s true or not, I’m pretty sure I’m not the first 40 something female to walk into to that office.   However, I’m also pretty sure that my friends and I were the first group of women to arrive together, check in together and cozy up together in the waiting room.  It was the perfect set up to what I’m sure would be a funny joke.  “Five blondes walk into the plastic surgeon’s office…”

The looks we got were priceless, and we joked that everyone in the waiting room might be afraid they were missing out on some group discount on botox.

On a side note, I don’t think there is anything wrong with plastic surgery, but I did feel the need for some reason to explain I wasn’t there to tweak my nose or trim my thighs.  I’m way too chicken to ELECT to have someone cut me open.  But here I was in the same room with those who want tattooed 6 packs, and I felt out of place. 

The positive news is that I had a wonderful appointment and gleaned more information, with which to make an informed decision.  I have a few more appointments/interviews, then Trevor and I will choose our doctors and our treatment plan.  We would greatly appreciate your prayers specifically for that.

Thank you again for all of the love and support thus far.  I can already tell that I am going to need lots of help, and I’m grateful to have been on the other side of this gig to know that people really DO want to help.  Quick shout out to my friend, Sarah, as she took one for the team today.  Sarah went to several places within Presbyterian hospital today to locate all of my films (x-rays) from my previous mammograms and sonograms.  She gathered them all up and delivered them to me in my kitchen this afternoon.  Move over, Favor, there’s a new sheriff in town.

That’s all for now, but I’ll be updating often during this decision making phase.  I know years from now I’ll forget the details, and I really want to cling to the beautiful ways that you are praying for us, caring for us and showing us so much love.

Make every day count,

Jamie

PS: Yesterday I mentioned JD’s Chippery on my blog and cookies appeared on my doorstep today.  If that’s the way this works, ONE MILLION DOLLARS.