Meeting the radiologist oncologist specializing in breasts

Today I'm thankful for...
Getting to a new year
My back issue staying away from me
That Lulu is feeling physically well
Our so wonderful family to help us through this most difficult time

Last night was a night of rest for both Lulu and I. We were pretty worn out from the stressful new that we had received from the doctors earlier in the day. After room service deliver us a couple of salads, and desserts; I feel right asleep. Lulu had a difficult time with getting to sleep, because the plastic surgeon had given Lulu's breast 125 cc of sterile water into her tissue expanders. These increases to the breast cause discomfort for 24 to 48 hours, due to the fact they stretch out Lulu's skin and muscles. (I'm not sure but I think that Lulu's breasts are looking better now then before surgery?)

Today was to be filled with medical appointments at the UCSF clinic. We were anticipating meeting with the radiology oncologist Dr.Fowble. This is the person that delivers the radiation to treat the cancerous tissues that could be removed during surgery. Lulu had been researching the various radiology groups in Reno and Carson City so she could get a referral to the best provider for her conditions? During this appointment with the oncologist we learned a lot. That the radiology machines used to give the treatment weren't as important as the operator and the technique. Dr.Fowble was pretty clear about the long term results for Lulu's breast structure and the chances of the cancer recurring are closely related to the preciseness of the radiation treatment. After some discussion of whom in Reno area that might provide this special radiation treatment for Lulu, I realized that Lulu would surely get the best treatment for her cancer here at UCSF. I knew at that moment that Lulu would be getting her radiation treatment here. There are so many factors could go wrong during this 5 to 6 week radiation treatment, I just knew that Lulu would want to receive her care anywhere else? I really liked this doctor, and I could tell that Lulu did also. However, this next few months were going to add even more stress to a vary difficult time for the Molina-Wilkerson family. Again Lulu had a number of questions for Dr.Flowble, and to the doctor's credit she stayed for two hours to answer all of them. At the end of the second hour, just after the doctor left, Lulu and I gathered up our things and dragged ourselves from the clinic. We had a long drive home, and a lot of things to discuss in the car on the way home.

As we drove (the rush hour traffic was horrible and our drive home ended up taking us an extra two hours) Lulu and I shared lots of tears. I think that the trip down was very important for answering our questions, but also ended up depressing both of us more then ever. One of the issue that Lulu and I discussed was when one is facing a life threading disease is it better to have care providers that give you only positive news, or is it better to get the real facts without the sugar on top? I think that both Lulu and I came to the conclusion that the later is better for us. We also reminisced about just one year ago we were celebrating being pregnant with out fourth child, and a year later we were in a totally different place. What a year that 2009 turned out to be for us!

We both we in agreement that 2010 was to be a better year, and we couldn't wait to get there.