A Call to Arms

Good Morning everyone!
I forgot to mention earlier. Big shout out to Jeff, you are correct and thanks for being the first to post! We really appreciate you guys!!!

Well, I've got some good news! I went in for my MRI on Tuesday and we were called with the results today. The MRI did not show anything new. Which means we have caught this in the early stages! Unfortunately we won't have an "official" stage until after my surgery which is after my first round of chemo, so we won't know for 3-6 months. However, the ball is starting to roll! Our Dr's have been amazing getting me to the front of the line on everything! It feels like they have been moving mountains for us! 
So the official status: 
Cancer Diagnosis: invasive ductal carcinoma (early stages ~1-2)
Treatment Status: waiting to meet Oncologist to develop/start treatment
Fertility: meeting specialist on Friday (wow! how fast is that! The referral was sent on Monday!)
Second Opinion: preliminary information has been sent to the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis to receive a second opinion. We are waiting to hear back from them. Should hear back by mid next week.

So that is the update. You don't need to read any further if you don't want, as the rest is the mushy stuff :)

the first time I saw this painting I fell in love with it and
 it has come to mind many times through out this week.

This past week has been unbelievable. I don't mean that in the sense that it's been the best week of my life. Let's be realistic, this has been a pretty tough week. I mean it in the sense that I would not believe it if someone had told me that this week would be what it has been (sorry I really can't come up with a word for this). The response to this news has been overwhelming. Since creating this blog on Monday there have been over 1,000 visits and that is just the tip of the iceberg! 

Friday through Monday consisted of getting our feet underneath us after the rug was ripped out so unceremoniously from under us.  But Monday was really the official declaration of war! Many people have been quite concerned that this "hasn't hit me" or that I'm not dealing with it. Well allow me to assuage your fears! I am well aware of what is going on, and I am MAD! I like to think of myself as an upbeat pragmatist which is likely why I have yet to burst into tears about this. However my irish roots have tipped the scales and I'm ready for war!  So now I guess I'm an upbeat angry pragmatist. Interesting. The only two overwhelming emotions I have felt have been anger and gratitude. The rest have all come and gone in the regular flood of feelings that are to be expected in a time like this. However the general mental state has risen and fallen between angry and gracious. But let me tell you what an interesting emotional ride it's been shifting from overwhelming gratitude to overwhelming anger. Wow! Luckily my husband has been along for the journey and has been an amazing stabilizer!

Monday. Monday was the day we started to plan. Anyone that knows me, knows I like to have a plan. So Monday was a good day from that perspective as we are starting to put some structure to this process. 
I knew that this was going to be a battle and I knew (as everyone kept telling me) that I wasn't in this alone. But in all honesty I really didn't know. I've always been a bit of a lone wolf when it came to dealing with major issues in my life so even opening the doors to allow the very closest of family friends (really another set of parents) to join me in the doctors office was a challenge. However it was the best decision we've made. And thus the call to arms began. 
When you are all built up in your lovely castle of life it's easy to feel so very secure in the way things are going. The sun was shinning on our life our banners snapping joyously in the wind. And now my way of life has been threatened. A shadow is blocking my sun. Well I'm not the kind of princess that takes kindly to "my process" being interrupted. Hence the call to arms. In a very short amount of time my family and close friends were rallied beside me and the research began.  I have been blessed with a very educated group of experts to help me filter through information, and advise me. Hell, I even have my own navy. They are sailing the west indies while searching for answers :) 
The call to arms began with just a few people and as the news spreads there has been a massive influx of encouragement, love and support. My "halls" have been filled with supportive and outraged people. And we are ready for battle! The support has come in many forms, a huge thank you to everyone who has offered financial assistance in regards to the possible trips to the mayo clinic. It has put tears in my eyes many times this week. The support and love and encouragement has really been overwhelming. Facebook messages, text messages, phone calls etc. I feel that I have been encased in a circle of solid protective love!

Support has come in so many different ways. Thank you!

No one want's to go to war alone and I am so indebted to so many people already! A big thanks to John and Max who have been spending an immense amount of time pulling information for me. And a big thanks to "the Bobcat" you know who you are. And I am sure you would like your privacy respected so I shall call you the Bobcat! My husband, The Bobcat, John, and my brother have created my own little "personal guard" and have been investigating this beast since Monday. In addition I have to say I am blessed to have such a wide variety of experts(truly, leaders of their fields) rallying behind me and even if it is not your area of expertise you have all been a valuable source of information, reference and support! 

This speaks for itself!

Things are moving very quickly, and I am ready for battle. I have my own "special forces" unit full of a variety of very knowledgeable people. I am also blessed to have had a super hero group of doctors who have been doing an amazing job of making things happen for me. For Dr. Misfeldt who got me into an ultrasound immediately and then ensured I had my biopsy done before travelling to the BVI's. For Dr. Kenny who has done both of my biopsy's and has been an amazing support and contact, keeping us updated and informed on what was happening. And Dr. Groot for getting all of my appointments and tests done at what seams to be mach speed and being so supportive and understanding of this journey! 

 So in  sentiment that has been literally expressed a multitude of times this week by many close friends and an apology for the profanity I sign off in determined gratitude! 

so does this one!

Left Foot'n & Right Foot'n 

Steve & Alyssa