Thank you for dropping by again! I apologize, I just cannot believe it's June 21st already and that I haven't updated my blog in 2 months!
Much has happened since then and I wanted to give you an update.
First: My three sisters, Judy, Heidi, and Trudy and two brothers Chuck & Matt, have all discovered that they all carry the BRCA2 gene.
The BRCA2 Sisters: Judy, Heidi, Trudy, Annie
All have had successful double mastectomies and oophorectomies
All have had successful double mastectomies and oophorectomies
Both are working with doctors to get tests done....
The girls have all had proactive double mastectomies and oophorectomies to prevent breast and ovarian cancer. All 4 of us had successful surgeries. Six of the sisters were able to get away for a week in Hilton Head SC (a trip that was planned 2 years ago to celebrate Lisa's 60th, Heidi's 55th, and my 50th b.day) The trip was planned divinely because of its timing. We really needed to spend time together after such a hard few months for, really, all of us Bauerleins.
Here are a few photos from our trip to SC:
6 of the 7 sisters (Mare is missing - she was unable to attend the trip.)
The latest news is hard to take though....and concerns Trudy, below...
On
June 13th at about 9am, Dr. Burger (Trudy's GYN Oncologist) called to tell her
that inspection of her ovaries had revealed ovarian cancer ("instances of
microscopic high grade serous ovarian adenocarcinoma, the most common form of
for the BRCA2 gene mutation"). She and her hubby Scott were surprised by this news and Dr. Burger
patiently explained options forward. Still recovering from the June 4th
surgery, they scheduled a meeting with Dr. Burger as well as a follow-up with Dr.
Kovach (plastic surgeon) to discuss this new turn in the road with regard to
timing of reconstruction.
Dr.
Burger is recommending a CT scan to more precisely indicate any issues before
treatment. This is scheduled for Friday 6/27. He is also recommending
laparotomy to leave no stone unturned in discovery of any evidence of spread
before treatment. After these procedures, treatment will involve six
chemotherapies three weeks apart. (unless they find more cancer in other
locations which would change the plan). The exact timing is to be determined.
Trudy
is just getting her legs under her and taking little walks down her street.
If you want to pray, their hope is for clear minds and peaceful hearts as they make
these decisions. They rest in the assurance of a loving Maker and Healer as they
move forward through the decisions and outcomes from treatments.
So obviously this news is devastating to our family. I will keep you all updated on Trudy's condition.
This
morning Trudy & her husband Scott read this in their daily Bible reading:
Psalm
128
7
Though I am surrounded by troubles,
you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You
reach out your hand,
and the power of your right hand saves me.
8 The
Lord will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYERS FOR MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER TRUDY! What was to be a pro-active operation to prevent cancer turned into something very different.
THANK YOU FOR PRAYERS FOR MY BEAUTIFUL SISTER TRUDY! What was to be a pro-active operation to prevent cancer turned into something very different.
I myself finished out the school year and it went very well. I was extremely blessed by my sweet students, my amazing student's parents, my WONDERFUL colleagues, my volunteer aide Paige, my substitute Erica, and my boss, Ed.
I am finished getting my "expanders" filled and am ready for my final "Gummy Bear" silicone implants to be put in during surgery on Thursday, July 10th with Dr. Wu. She is a great surgeon! My friend Glenny Naevestad will drive me down and back to and from surgery. He is such an awesome pal. Chip and Eli have arts camp together 9-3:30 all that week, so Glenn driving me there and back is a huge help, plus he is so much fun to be with and will make me laugh!
Here is Glenn with his sweet wife, Jinny
After that, I will get more tests done in the months to come, as will all my sisters and brothers with the gene, to detect any cancer that may be lurking inside of us, insidiously...
Thank you for your continued care and prayer...Love to All, Annie
