Prayers for clean margins

[Colleens_Husband]

Friends:

Colleen is going in for her lumpectomy tomorrow morning. I am hoping that she will have clean margins and the surgery goes as smoothly as the surgeon expects.

As if that wasn't enough, I just learned last night that my oldest daughter, Heather, may have stomach cancer. They are going to do a biopsy in a couple of weeks and find out for sure. I hope and pray that her doctor is wrong. What else can you do?

Lee

[Sheila]

Lee and Coleen
You are both in my prayers, as well as your daughter.....I have always felt that the Lord does not send us more than we can handle, but sometimes he is pushing the limits.....sending healing thoughts that Coleen will get clean margins and your daughter a clean bill of health. This must be difficult for you...keep positive.

[Mary Anne in TX]

Lee, your plate is surely full today! But I'll be praying for those clear margins and that the diagnosis of stomach cancer is incorrect! And too, I'll be praying for you to have a bit of peace as you care for your "girls"! ma

[Mary Jo]

Dear Lee and Colleen,

I do ask our Lord to give Colleen clear margins and also that your daughter would not have stomach cancer.

Truly I am so sorry that you guys are having to endure this.

May God grant you His peace and strength as you move forward.

Consider yourselves hugged.....

Mary Jo

[Faith in Him]

Lee,

I am so sorry that you and your family have to go through this. I pray that your wife's surgery goes well and that the pathology report comes back just perfect. I pray also that your daughter is well.

many hugs,
Tonya

[goops]

I am sorry to hear that about your daughter, she and Colleen will be in my prayers.

[Bill]

Lee, I'll be praying for clean results for Colleen and your daughter, and strength for all of you. I hope that your daughter can get the biopsy done quicker than a couple of weeks from now. As we all know, worrying about possible cancer for a couple of weeks is like nine years in H**L. You guys will be in my thoughts and prayers, brother, Bill

[juanita]

Your family will be in my thoghts and prayers!

[Colleens_Husband]

Good News!

Colleen had her surgery and she is doing very well. The surgeon is pretty confident he got clean margins. He said he didn't see any of the blue dye injected into the tumor.

The person doing the needle localization said the tumor was very fibrous which they said was a good thing, although I have no idea why.

We are waiting on the pathology report which we will go over on Thursday.

My daughter Heather can't get a biopsy until May. She lives in Klamath Falls and the mountain passes have been snowed over since December. A little snow melting and she may be able to get an appointment in Eugene sooner, but it snowed all weekend long in the mountains.

Lee

[lilyecuadorian]

great, greats news

[harrie]

Great news on your wife!!! Wishing your daughter good results also. You have my prayers.....
harriecanarie...

[Colleens_Husband]

Sorry, but we have some bad news. We just got back from the surgeon's follow up and he told us the margin wasn't clean in one area. Colleen was absolutely crushed by the news. She cried for almost an hour. I wish I could tell you why it hurt her so much, but I can't. Maybe she was expecting that the tumor was dead and she didn't have to go through more chemotherapy. You can't have crushing disappointment without high expectations.

The surgeon gave us another surgery date and Colleen is going to have to decide whether to do a re-excision or to do a mastectomy.

The surgeon was pretty disappointed too. He thought he had clean margins for sure. It was good to see he took a personal interest in the outcome of his patient.

I'm just numb. It seems endless. It just goes on and on.

That's enough self pity for now. It is my job to keep Colleen's spirit up so I need to work myself into a better frame of mind so I can be supportive.

[Mary Jo]

Hi,

I'm so sorry that Colleen and you had to receive this news today. Yes you are right in saying that sometimes it seems to go on and on and I am truly sorry for that.

I will pray that Colleen's decision process on whether to have a re-excision or mastectomy will come easy to her and that she will feel a peace at whatever decision she makes.

Wrapping you both in prayer right now.............

Love to you,

Mary Jo

[caya]

Hi Lee,

I echo what Mary Jo said - I hope Colleen's decision will come easy for her, and no matter what she decides, that will be right for her.

Any news about your daughter Heather?

all the best
caya

[BonnieR]

That's okay. We know why it hurt her so much. She was crying for you, too.I remember doing the same thing the day I was diagnosed. Crying for my husband who was beside me. God bless you for being there..

[goops]

I am so sorry to hear that the Margins weren't clear - You and Colleen will be in my prayers.

[harrie]

I am sorry to hear about the bad news of Colleen's margins. After the initial shockwaves settle down, I wish you all the very best in making the best decision regarding the surgery. I know that roller coaster ride can get pretty hairy, but hang in there and someday, hopefully soon, you can get off and tell us all with that big smile that YOU DID IT!!!
hariecanarie

[Joan M]

This is a difficult time for you and Colleen. You are in my prayers. Joan

[juanita]

Your family will be in my prayers!

[Bill]

Lee, I'm sorry to hear the bad news. I wish I could offer stats. on rechecking margins vs. mastectomies and the percentages of mets. occuring after each procedure (assuming the second checks clear), but I can't. I don't even know if that data is out there. You're a good man and a good husband, and you are doing a great job caring for Colleen, I can tell. You are in the right place at the right time and you are where you were meant to be. I know it seems to go on and on, one step forward, two steps back, sometimes. I know you're doing your best. Just make sure you are eating and resting and "stress-relieving" and taking care of yourself as much as possible, so you can continue to help Colleen. I think you posted awhile back that Colleen was reluctant to come to this site or view posts. Is that still the case? Just wondering. You stay strong, brother. Bill

[Faith in Him]

Lee,

I am so sorry to hear of this latest development. I pray for you and your wife as you go through this decision process. We all totally understand what you are going through.

much love,
Tonya

[Gerri]

Lee, I am so sorry to hear about this disappointing news. You are obviously a very loving and caring husband; Colleen is so lucky to have you to support her through this. Take Bill's advice and make sure you take care of yourself so you can take care of Colleen. I know it is hard, but she really needs you to be strong right now. Hold her, cry with her, and then muster all the strength you can to pull her up and get her through this. You can do it, I know you can.

Take good care.

[Vi Schorpp]

I'm so sorry for this disappointing news. You have a lot on your plate right now with both your wife and the worries for your daughter, and I pray you find peace and strength at this time.

[atdec05]

Hi Lee,

It must have been hard for both of you to hear the margins were not clean after the surgeon had said initially he thought he had clear margins. I was also faced with re-excision vs. mastectomy. There are so many factors that go into this besides how Colleen would feel if the re-excision did not result in clear margins. Does the surgeon have a recommendation based on where the tumor is located? My tumor was very close to the chest wall, and I had extensive DCIS, so for me a mastectomy made more sense than a re-excision.

I hope Colleen and you have had time to regroup and prepare for the decision you need to make. I also hope your daughter's scan is clean.

And as Bill said, please take care of yourself too.

- Anna

[Ceesun]

Thinking of you both. Prayers, Ceesun