April 2011...Cancer...

This has been a very jam packed, fast moving month and a half. So much has happened during this time. I will try to remember all that I can to tell you, and perhaps the dates may be off a day or two. As I said so much was going on at this time, besides the unbelievable mess of the Walker family, Lynn loosing weight, looking only of skin and bone, and feeling sick. I think every thing is catching up with him. and now he has me to worry about on top of it all.

March 8, 2011
Baby Bird: Reg. visit with Vet. for yearly shot 1st, of 2.

March 9, 2011
Me: Apt. with Dr. Douglas, talked about right knee replacement to be scheduled, soon for this year. He also laughed when he heard the squeak in my left hip. And said he was surprised, would report that he had really heard the squeaking of this new material replacements.

March 14, 2011
After taking a shower, I noticed a red like rash on my left breast. I thought perhaps it might be from the material from the new bras that I had just bought.It didn't dawn on me that I wear garments to.

March 15, 2011
Rash still there, also noticed that the nipple seemed more flattened or sunken in a little. I need to get this checked out.
My Gynecologist had moved out of state, but I had seen one other, years ago. I called her, and found out that she just had a kidney transplant and was not in the office. How ever her partner Dr. Eldad Vered, was, and after explaining what I was seeing they worked me into his busy schedule.

March 16, 2011
Met with Dr. Eldad Vered. He was very kind to me. He ordered a diagnostic mammogram, and a ultra sound. He also scheduled an appointment with Dr. Gail Strindberg who is a Surgeon, and happened to have had a mastectomy herself last year.

I have had cyst, or lumps, that come, get real sore for a couple of weeks then go away. I have had them checked out and was told that they were nothing to worry about. That some women get them. The one I had this time, didn't go away, and developed a rash.

March 22, 2011
Diagnostic Mammogram, and ultra sound done in the Hospital in Tooele.
They said I needed to have a Ultra sound biopsy.

Renewed Driver licence

March 23, 2011
Had the Ultrasound Biopsy. They removed 7 to 8 samples for testing.

March 24, 2011
Appointment with Dr. Gail Strindberg, Surgeon. I really like her. And she tells it, as it is. She also took a skin biopsy where the rash was.

Jodie moves into her new apartment in South Provo. (Bad area, Bad apartment for a single, good looking girl.)

March 27, 2011
Pauli and James announced they are expecting. I am so happy for them.

Jenny Bird very sick. We took her into emergency care, over by Pauli's and James house. too many needles for such a little bird. She started pulling feathers to show her feelings about the treatment at the vets.

March 28, 2011
Jenny Bird in Hospital with her own Vet. Dr.Dana Clark, at the Lakeview Animal Hospital in Bountiful, Utah.
Baby Bird received her 2nd shot for the year.

March 29, 2011
5:06 AM, Austin Ryder Maughan, born to Jennifer and Mike Maughan. 9 lb. 8oz. In Sandy, Utah. Austin is number 12th grandchild. He is so cute.

March 30, 2011
Pauli tells me she is having heavy cramping. (She does have a miscarriage)

April 1, 2011
MRI for Breast Cancer at the St. Marks Hospital in Sandy, Utah.

Dad died 28 years ago on this day.

April 2,3, 2011
General Conference

April 6, 2011
In the evening, I received a call from Dr. Strindberg. giving a glimmer of hope. The report from the MRI says the tumor seems to be contained and the lymph nodes may not be involved. She had not received the report on the Ultrasound Biopsy yet, but the skin biopsy came back clear. Her office will call tomorrow and schedule an appointment for me next week.

April 10, 2011
Pauli and James, Jodie and Will, Jen and Mike and the kids and the new baby boy, Surprised us for our Birthdays (which is this next week.) James fixed dinner, Jodie bought a Birthday cake. It was great just being with my family. I got to hold the new baby Austin. He is so beautiful.

Before they left for home I told them about me and what I was going through. It was starting to get out, and I wanted them to hear from us before they heard from someone elts.

James, Will and Lynn gave me a priesthood blessing.

April 11, 2011
Lynn's Birthday he is 68.

Temple Recommend renewed at Bishop Grua's home.

April 12, 2011
My Birthday, I am 67

April 13, 2011
Our House Birthday. We moved into this house 6 years ago, It has been a great blessing for us to be here. In Utah, In Grantsville, In this house, In this ward, and with the greatest neighbors, and friends.

April 14, 2011
Appointment with Dr. Strindberg. We talked about Surgery, Mastectomy. It is cancer, but seems to be contained. Dr. Strindberg told me how the surgery would be done. also about the radiation injections to see which of the limp nodes would be involved, with the drainage from that area, before the surgery was done.
we are looking at the 29th of April. The Hospital will call me.
Blood was taken for a BRCA test. Checking for a cancer gene that might run in a family line. Update: We have NO cancer gene in our family.

April 18, 2011
Lynn and I were asked to help clean the Salt Lake Temple, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.
We were with Bro. and Sis. Mathew, and Bishop and Sis. Grua. Bishop Grua treated us to dinner at Crowns. It was so good. The shakes you had to eat with a spoon, and one of the best fish sandwich I have ever eaten.

April 19, 20, 21, 2011
We borrowed the Stakes Dry Packing Canner and did all of our dry packing.

April 23, 2011
Pauli and James spent the night. We made bunny candy boxes for Easter. (Which is tomorrow.)
Gene would have turned 40 today. Happy Birthday Gene.

April 24, 2011
Today is Easter, Sharlyn, Our oldest Granddaughter, called and told us she is Engaged to Ethan Davis.

April 25, 2011
My nerves are causing some physical problems, like yeast..... :\

April 26, 2011
Bishop Grua, and Lynn gave me a Priesthood blessing. Bishop Grua gave me a beautiful blessing. I don't think I have heard anyone speak to the Lord as if he was standing in the same room with us, as Bishop Grua did in my behalf.

April 29, 2011
Surgery, Mastectomy of the left breast. The radiation injections seemed to be the worst of the day.

April 30, 2011
Home from the Hospital.
Jodie and Will, Launie and Amber and Ivie, came to stay with us.
Jennifer and Mike went down to Arizona, looking for work and a new house to live in.

I feel great!

May 1, 2011
Pauli and James came after church.
Bishop Grua, Marilyn, Julia brought a gift for me. Beautiful roses, and beautiful bird. They were so kind. It was so good to see Julia again.
Launie's date spent the day with us.

Feeling very tired tonight, but still up beat.

May 2, 2011
Granddaughters wanted to spend the day with Jodie at her apartment in Provo, and would leave for Ariz from there on Tuesday.

Maralee Parkinson brought dinner for us.

May 3, 2011
Drain tube from my side has dried up??? Can not reach my Dr. She will be going out of town. I have an appointment with her on May 9th.

May 4, 2011
Pauli stayed the night, and fixed dinner for us. She read me her story as she was editing. (Pauli is such a good writer, I don't think she knows just how good she really is at writing.)
My friend, LaDean Weight, brought a treat that Lynn likes. They were great.

May 9, 2011
Follow up appointment after Surgery with Dr. Strindberg. There is cancer in the lymph node that was removed. and she said that I had two little strands in the upper part of my chest that are still there. I will need chemo therapy, and radiation treatment.
I will need to have surgery in about three weeks, to remove the limp nodes under my arm and implant a "port" just under the skin on the right side so that chemo treatment can be done through the port. This Surgery will be on the 31st of this month.