I believe all of you know or have heard that Katie was diagnosed with breast cancer in August. It has been a whirlwind with weeks of testing and waiting for results. The end result of all of the biopsies, mri's, ultrasounds, Dr. exams and blood work have been gathered and discussed with Katie's outstanding medical team. The facts are that Katie has one tumor that is invasive mammary carcinoma with ductile and lobular features and 2 other cancerous areas in the left breast. A suspicious area was found and biopsied in the right breast but came back negative. A genetic blood test was run and came back with a positive result for a mutation that suggests that she has a very high likelihood of recurring breast cancer. So she made the difficult decision to have a double mastectomy. Surgery has been scheduled for Oct. 15. Her surgeon is working in conjunction with a plastic surgeon who will follow the mastectomies with some procedures that will ready her for reconstructive surgery when she is healed enough. All of the tissues will be sent to pathology and results will take 7 days. At that time, the Drs. will determine what follow up treatments may be needed. The reconstruction will be scheduled after any treatments if necessary. All in all, she has been told that by this time next year she will be feeling great and looking great. This has been an unimaginable journey for Katie but she has been remarkably strong and positive in the face of so much bad and unexpected news. This happens to ladies of my age, not young, healthy ladies like Katie! We are blessed to be a close knit family and Katie has supportive friends who have been right by her side through this road bump in her life.
To you all, my friends, I have been humbled and have found strength in your caring thoughts and prayers. I ask you to please continue those thoughts and prayers for Katie and for a complete recovery. This has been an AMAZING eye opener! The sheer number of women, young and old fighting this terrible disease is unbelievable. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love and support. I will update after surgery as soon as we know the results of the pathology.
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