Dad and I put on quite a few miles today while mom was in surgery! She checked in at 9:00 a.m. and was brought to a room to disrobe and be asked a number of questions. The nurses took her down to the surgery room at approximately 10:10 a.m. and she did not actually begin surgery until 12:00 p.m. She had finished with the lumpectomy and the removal of lymph nodes (unsure of the total count at this time) at 4:00. She arrived at the hospital room around 5:45 p.m. and was fairly groggy.

The nurses tucked her in and got her all set up to eat a little snack. She ate some jello and had some really good coffee! She said she talked to the surgeon prior to beginning the procedure and the doctor felt like she would be able to get everything with the lumpectomy. The doctor also told mom that she would be much happier 10-15 years down the road with the procedure they have chosen! Mom really liked the doctor and was very happy to see she still had cleavage when she awoke from surgery.

Well, I am off to be with my wonderful mother before she hits the hay! I also think we may be coming home on Saturday!!

Well, I made the long trip to Rochester today and the drive was really not all that bad until I left Minneapolis. I kept asking myself, out loud of course, "I have to be getting close." I took a wrong turn, but was easily corrected as the ramp to return to the interstate was directly across from the off ramp. I really do not think that I could live in Minneapolis, as my knuckles would be permenately white, and my fingers would be so far imprinted in the steering wheel. I would then probably develop arthritis from gripping the steering wheel so tightly each day. I also believe that most people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area are a little brake happy, and if they would not be up the person's butt in front of them, they would not have to apply the brakes!! I was taught there is a three car length rule, which allows a person to stop in time if something should go wrong, and I don't believe they teach that rule when issuing licenses to the people in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area!

When I arrived in Rochester, mom was patiently waiting for me on the curb. We then went to dry my mom and dad's clothes as the dryers did not work at the hotel. Mom was not sure if she could get used to hanging bras over the rolling racks at the laundromats. She did not hang hers out of course, but she saw some large over the should boulder holders and felt a woman's privacy could go right out the door at those places.

We arrived back at the hotel around 9:00 p.m. and dad drove me down into the parking garage underneath the hotel. I began feeling quite closterphobic and if I have to find my way out alone, I will be driving in circles for days.

My mother has surgery at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, so it is off to bed for some good rest!

I just spoke with mom and she did have another biopsy this morning, as planned. The biopsy was done using the MRI machine because the doctors did not believe that they had biopsied the appropriate spot last time. Mom said that everything went well and that the doctors would like her to be the poster child because they have never had anyone quite like her; she felt she might be a little to old for this. Mom did indicate that she was concerned with the fact that they were waiting so long to remove the cancer, and the doctor stated that this type of cancer, although aggressive, is very slow moving. She sees the oncologist, the reconstructive surgeon, and receives the results from the biopsy on Friday.

On the other hand, Toby and I still have Harper and Lady. Dexi is beginning to warm up to them, but is still struggling with the whole transition of having others in her domain! Toby has really taken a liking to Lady, and I often find her laying on his chest watching TV with him. Toby did not want the dogs sleeping with us, but the dogs got their way last night; they slept in between us the whole night!

I know that I have not posted any information this past week, but if you all were in the same boat that we have been in, you wouldn't be posting anything either!   Toby and I evacuated mom and dad out of their house on Tuesday.  I arrived at mom and dad's house at 10:30 a.m., as I had a snow day at school.  Yeah, I know what a great time to have to evacuate.  Toby came to help get the horses loaded, but they would not get into the darn trailer.  After trying for roughly two hours, we decided that we had to leave them behind.   Some of the other relatives came down to help move items up to the second floor and throw down a few sandbags around the garage.  A big thanks to Bink, Jeff, Ben, Casey, Jesse, and anyone else who was helping!  My cousin Casey helped mom pack up all of her bags, as I left because the snow continued to fall and I was concerned my car would not make it out.  Next year, I am buying a truck!  

Unfortunately, Toby had a mess of his own with a house he is building in Fox Island!  Toby and I went down to check on the flooding on Monday evening and what a mess!  The road was washed out and there was water wanting to devour the house.  Toby waded into the water and he was covered up to his waist, or as he puts it "balls deep."  On Tuesday, him and the guys that work for him had to remove all of the tools in Toby's tool trailer, that was on the lot.  They used our canoe and another boat.  I am so glad we have been able to put that to use even if it is winter!  The water continued to rise in Fox Island and submerged many houses.  Some houses had water halfway up their garages.  

Thankfully, Toby's project and the Rickel's house made it through without any damage to the actual structures.  The Rickel's barn did have water in it and the horses did stand in water up to their knees for a brief period of time.  Thanks to my uncle Bink, he was able to get the horses to higher ground.  Unfortunately, dad has been cleaning up stinky apples around the house for the last couple days, but we were all so happy to see the house and everyone safe.  

So, mom and dad stayed with Toby and I all week, and I must say I really miss the two of them this evening.  Mom and I were giggling and laughing so hard most nights that my stomach muscles got quite the workout!  I tell ya, I really do believe things happen for a reason and spending time with my mom and dad was the best gift I got out of this deal.  Toby also enjoyed having the Rickel's here and really enjoys having the two dogs here as well.  He has renamed Lady and we now know her as Toaster; he thinks she looks like a stainless steel toaster.

Well, mom and dad moved out today, because mom continues her doctor visits at Mayo Clinic on Wednesday.  A huge storm has hit the upper midwest yet again, so they had to leave two days earlier than originally scheduled.  Mom really did not want to miss the appointment.  The same day we evacuated them. mom talked to the doctor and received the results of her last tests done at Mayo.  We did not get the best of news, but are still very optimistic, as mom was told that they cancer is in her lymph nodes.  The doctors are still unsure of how many nodes have been affected, but the doctor still says the prognosis is in mom's favor.  Over the phone, the doctor was also suggesting a shot of chemo might be in line prior to the surgery.  The doctor scheduled the appointments this week to take another biopsy of a lump in her breast, and to speak with the plastic surgeon.  

As I receive news, I will update you all! 

Here is a new update for all of you that are checking in.  I spoke with mom and she has renewed strength in her voice again!  She sounds so great and seems really positive about things.  I really think she is one of the most positive and determined people I know.  I may be a little bias about this because she is my mom and my best friend.  

She had gotten out of the last test for the evening and the doctor had taken a biopsy in both of her breasts, as there were two spots, one in each breast, that were being questioned.  After the MRI this morning, only one lymph node was in question, as opposed to the two from yesterday, so they did take a biopsy of that also.  

She will be having surgery at some point next week and will receive the results from the biopsy next week, so we all get to play the waiting game.  When we find out, I will let you know!! 

Four weeks After the surgery, mom will return to Mayo Clinic to see the oncologist.  At that point treatment will be discussed.

Mom and dad will be returning tomorrow to the good 'ol town of Bismarck.  I am sure the dogs will be happy to see them, as Harper enjoys playing with mom at night.  

I spoke with dad again a few minutes ago and mom has been in surgery for another biopsy of an additional lump that they found in her breast.  The doctors think that it may be a calcium deposit, but need to test this area to be on the safe side!  They will not know the results of this test until later this week.  She has been in this test for the last two hours and they are also extracting some of the fluid out of the lymph nodes at this time too.  She is not sedated, but does have the area numbed, so I am sure she will feel some pain after this one!

Mom and dad will be coming home this weekend to get some rest and we will probably be heading out to Rochester for surgery on Thursday next week, with the surgery potentially scheduled for Friday.  Dad did indicate that mom's blood pressure was slightly elevated, but I think mine would be too if I was poked and prodded as much as she has been!!  Dad is going to try and get some rest this evening as he has been waking up very early, much earlier than the alarm.  

Mom and dad have been really happy with all the treatment and care that mom is receiving at Mayo Clinic, and they are very happy that they went.  

Thanks to everyone for the continued support and prayers!

I spoke with dad at 11:40 a.m. and they received the results from the liver enzymes and the bone denisty test. Everything has come back and there are no concerns!!! I am so happy that we are hearing good news again today! Dad also said that they had not done the aspiration of fluid in the abnormal and enlarged lymph nodes, and that test will not be done until 2:30 p.m. today. They probably will not find out the results of the lymph node test until Monday. I am still unsure of when she will have surgery.

She also has to complete the MRI today too. Mom and dad were just going to grab lunch and were excited that they actually get to eat today. I think mom is quite drained and needs some well needed rest this weekend!

They did look at prostetics today too! Dad thought those were pretty neat and he keeps saying what a great place Mayo Clinic is. They have checked mom out from top to bottom and it leaves mom, dad, Shelly, and me with a reassuring feeling!

Until later, enjoy your day and please keep praying because I know all the prayers are working.