Hi Everybody,
I am so very happy to announce that I am free of drains and stitches!!! The pulling of the drains was very painful, but I am so glad they are out. I had no idea that just inside my skin, each drain had a Y with 2 long drains that had been completely around the implant top and bottom. Rowen says they were 10 inches long, but he does tend to exaggerate a tiny bit, so maybe they were really eight inches? I am so relieved to be done with them! I have to keep on taking it really easy for at least 2 more weeks, then I can begin doing more strenuous things.
I get to have a shower today! Since I haven't had a real one for over 2 weeks, I am very excited about that too! I also get to quit taking the antibiotic from which I have been developing red spots all over my arms, legs, and tummy for the last three days. I no longer have to sleep on the incline pillow. I can sleep how I want to, except not on my tummy.
While we were out and about, we went to the oncologist's office so we would know where to go next week. Since we were there, we got to get all the paperwork done. I will see the oncologist on May 19. Her name is Dr. Ann Stroh. Please pray that the Lord will give her wisdom for exactly the best course of action for my particular case.
I cannot express how grateful I am to be prayed for by so many dear people! God has been good and faithful to me and our family and we know He will continue His goodness and faithfulness into our unknown future. That's Who He is!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
One week after surgery update on Janet
Hi Everybody,
I went to the general surgeon for a visit today. He thinks I am healing fine. The plastic surgeon yesterday thought so also, but the drains have to stay in because there is still too much work that they are doing and they can't leave yet! Anyway, the main thing today was finding out about the pathology report.
The two sentinal lymph nodes taken in surgery were positive for cancer. The other 9 axillary lymph nodes that were taken did not show cancer.
The tumor (infiltrating ductal carcinoma) in the right breast measured 1.7 cm. (larger than the ultrasound showed, smaller than the MRI indicated)
The cancer is grade 1, stage 2A.
There was no cancer found in the left breast.
The oncologist, Dr. Ann Stroh, is being sent all my records. I asked for an appointment after May 17. I am supposed to get the drains out on May 9, stitches out on May 17. Our kids' graduation is May 12, party May 13. I would rather wait until these things are over before seeing the oncologist.
I am very grateful that the cancer was not found in more of the lymph nodes. Even though I still have to have chemo, I feel it is an earlier, safer catch than if it had already gone in the other nodes.
I am able to comb my hair, be up and around, even though I am supposed to take it easy, not lift anything over 5 #. Because of the lack of lymph nodes now to drain my right arm, I need to not overdo, or I could get into lymphedema.
Most of my pain is not intense, but just the frustrating, nagging, aggravating sort of discomfort. I am not having the swelling now that I was before today, so overall I am more comfortable. I have some numbness that could last 18 months or longer in my right armpit and arm. I am enjoying having several naps a day and my family doing "my" work for me. We have been blessed with meals and cookies from friends, family, and homeschoolers.
Please pray that the drains will complete their tasks and I can be free of them soon. They are frustrating. I guess their task is to encourage healing inside without fluid buildup. Outside the healing looks good, so I want it to heal inside too.
My left calf has been hurting for 3 days now, like a charley horse in my calf. Yesterday I had an ultrasound to rule out a deep vein thrombosis. The test was negative, so I don't know why my calf is hurting.
I appreciate all the prayers that have been prayed for me. I know I would not be doing so well without the touch that the Lord has given me. He has been holding us, keeping anything from crushing us emotionally or physically.
Now it is time for my nap, so I will close.
I went to the general surgeon for a visit today. He thinks I am healing fine. The plastic surgeon yesterday thought so also, but the drains have to stay in because there is still too much work that they are doing and they can't leave yet! Anyway, the main thing today was finding out about the pathology report.
The two sentinal lymph nodes taken in surgery were positive for cancer. The other 9 axillary lymph nodes that were taken did not show cancer.
The tumor (infiltrating ductal carcinoma) in the right breast measured 1.7 cm. (larger than the ultrasound showed, smaller than the MRI indicated)
The cancer is grade 1, stage 2A.
There was no cancer found in the left breast.
The oncologist, Dr. Ann Stroh, is being sent all my records. I asked for an appointment after May 17. I am supposed to get the drains out on May 9, stitches out on May 17. Our kids' graduation is May 12, party May 13. I would rather wait until these things are over before seeing the oncologist.
I am very grateful that the cancer was not found in more of the lymph nodes. Even though I still have to have chemo, I feel it is an earlier, safer catch than if it had already gone in the other nodes.
I am able to comb my hair, be up and around, even though I am supposed to take it easy, not lift anything over 5 #. Because of the lack of lymph nodes now to drain my right arm, I need to not overdo, or I could get into lymphedema.
Most of my pain is not intense, but just the frustrating, nagging, aggravating sort of discomfort. I am not having the swelling now that I was before today, so overall I am more comfortable. I have some numbness that could last 18 months or longer in my right armpit and arm. I am enjoying having several naps a day and my family doing "my" work for me. We have been blessed with meals and cookies from friends, family, and homeschoolers.
Please pray that the drains will complete their tasks and I can be free of them soon. They are frustrating. I guess their task is to encourage healing inside without fluid buildup. Outside the healing looks good, so I want it to heal inside too.
My left calf has been hurting for 3 days now, like a charley horse in my calf. Yesterday I had an ultrasound to rule out a deep vein thrombosis. The test was negative, so I don't know why my calf is hurting.
I appreciate all the prayers that have been prayed for me. I know I would not be doing so well without the touch that the Lord has given me. He has been holding us, keeping anything from crushing us emotionally or physically.
Now it is time for my nap, so I will close.
How do YOU wash your hair?!
Sometimes you have to get creative when you have hair "this long" and can't take a shower for weeks after a surgery or do the normal in-sink hair-washing method!! Here Mother's getting her hair done by laying across our counter (under cabinets - can you say teensy-weensy bit claustrophobic?), where our drainer and microwave usually sit.
And yes, we'd rather do it this way, then how it will probably be soon- no hair!
And yes, we'd rather do it this way, then how it will probably be soon- no hair!
Our flower/rock mound this year...
As some of you remember, we did a post about our mound back in September 2009. This is what the mound looked like last week, before we cut down the flowers--bad weather was forecasted and we didn't want them to go to waste. (We didn't end up getting bad weather, but it was nice to have the flowers in our living-room.)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Gifts of flowers
Since coming home from the hospital, I have been blessed with gifts of flowers. Our friends, Randy and Kelly Kaus, brought these pink roses for us.
This geranium and Get Well Soon balloon were given by Jim and Pam Lutey.
These pink roses and straw flowers came from the Ransom family. Michael and Amelia Ransom teach Jason and Emily cello and violin.
Emily bought this rose herself!
We were supposed to have bad weather over the weekend with freezing lows, so Emily brought most of the daffodils and tulips inside so we could enjoy them. We did not have the weather that was predicted, but we have enjoyed having the flowers!
I appreciate all the love, care, prayers, flowers, cookies, and meals being sent by our friends and family. It is wonderful to be held close to God by others' prayers!
This geranium and Get Well Soon balloon were given by Jim and Pam Lutey.
These pink roses and straw flowers came from the Ransom family. Michael and Amelia Ransom teach Jason and Emily cello and violin.
Emily bought this rose herself!
We were supposed to have bad weather over the weekend with freezing lows, so Emily brought most of the daffodils and tulips inside so we could enjoy them. We did not have the weather that was predicted, but we have enjoyed having the flowers!
I appreciate all the love, care, prayers, flowers, cookies, and meals being sent by our friends and family. It is wonderful to be held close to God by others' prayers!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Steve and Gwen Geise visit April 25-26
It was our distinct honor and pleasure to have Steve and Gwen Geise and their family, Isaac, Micah, Titus, and Shoshanah with us early this week. We love and appreciate this missionary family from South Africa. We are so glad they could fit in a visit with us this week before my surgery.
This is Isaac, obviously not a timid eight-year-old!
This is Titus. He will be three May 10.
Here Beth is asking Isaac and Micah if they really should be living so dangerously. One of them replied, "Girls are always nervous about what boys are doing!"
Micah, 5, in front, Titus behind
Jason, Jeffrey, and Beth playing on the trampoline with the three boys. They seemed to love having older playmates!
Emily holding Titus while Micah is being silly in the foreground.
The boys loved playing Legos with Jeffrey and Jason.
Shoshanah is precious and we loved getting to hold her. We love that red hair and plan to get a grandchild of our own with red hair someday! Shoshanah will be one year old May 5.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Home from the hospital
Hi Everybody,
Thanks for all the prayers! Prayers are wonderful. I know I am feeling as well as I am because of God answering all the prayers! I'm sore and a little swollen, but it could be a lot worse. I am sleepy from all the interrupted hospital sleep. I'm hoping to get better sleep tonight. God is good all the time and much better to me than I deserve!
A sweet homeschool friend brought over a bountiful supper meal for us tonight, and some other homeschool friends brought us brownies. Another friend brought over a Get Well Soon balloon and a potted geranium. We are being well taken care of by God's Family.
This pink shirt was given to me by the general surgeon's office. It is velcro-ed together almost every seam and has inside pockets for my drains to ride in. This picture was taken before I left the hospital.
Love to all, Janet
Thanks for all the prayers! Prayers are wonderful. I know I am feeling as well as I am because of God answering all the prayers! I'm sore and a little swollen, but it could be a lot worse. I am sleepy from all the interrupted hospital sleep. I'm hoping to get better sleep tonight. God is good all the time and much better to me than I deserve!
A sweet homeschool friend brought over a bountiful supper meal for us tonight, and some other homeschool friends brought us brownies. Another friend brought over a Get Well Soon balloon and a potted geranium. We are being well taken care of by God's Family.
This pink shirt was given to me by the general surgeon's office. It is velcro-ed together almost every seam and has inside pockets for my drains to ride in. This picture was taken before I left the hospital.
Love to all, Janet
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Thursday, April 28, 2011
Janet's surgery
Janet Albertson is out of surgery and in recovery for 1 hr. before she'll be moved to a room (to stay overnight). The surgery went as well as possible. The in-surgery pathology test of 3 lymph nodes showed cancer, so they took out some(#?) more lymph nodes, which means more intense pain and greater volume of pain med. They said that chemo will almost certainly be required because of her having cancer in lymph nodes. The cancer that was removed today will be tested; the Dr. will have results next week.
We greatly appreciate our Father's care of us. He has wrapped us in love and peace and given us the support of many praying friends. We thank Him for the blessing of you being in our lives and for your prayers and kindness. We know He will carry us through, no matter what is ahead. We are so glad to know Jesus in our lives everyday!
- Beth A.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Senior pictures of Beth and Jason
Congratulations to Beth and Jason for their completion of high school. Graduation is May 12. Here are some pictures we took of them to send with the graduation announcements.
This one you might have seen before. It was the first attempt at outdoor pictures of Beth. The sun was too bright for her glasses.
We took the rest one evening when it was rather cloudy, so the glasses didn't darken up as much. Beth is seventeen and graduating this year. She plans to stay home this next year and concentrate on Homemaking 101. School has been too busy for her to learn everything else she wanted to learn.
Formal Jason with his cello. Jason is graduating before he turns sixteen. He will be working full time making money for college at our local ACE Hardware Store.
A few casual shots of Jason
A couple tree climbing shots
Here are a couple of pictures of both Beth and Jason
This one you might have seen before. It was the first attempt at outdoor pictures of Beth. The sun was too bright for her glasses.
We took the rest one evening when it was rather cloudy, so the glasses didn't darken up as much. Beth is seventeen and graduating this year. She plans to stay home this next year and concentrate on Homemaking 101. School has been too busy for her to learn everything else she wanted to learn.
Formal Jason with his cello. Jason is graduating before he turns sixteen. He will be working full time making money for college at our local ACE Hardware Store.
A few casual shots of Jason
A couple tree climbing shots
Here are a couple of pictures of both Beth and Jason
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Surgery date
Dear Friends and Family,
I finally have a surgery date for my breast cancer surgery. It will be Thursday, April 28 at 8:30 a.m. I would much rather have had it sooner, but the things which were out of my control were still in God's control. So I trust it is the very best date for the surgery.
Please pray for both surgeons to be careful, skillful, and wise. Pray that I will be safe from infection, bleeding, or reactions to the anesthesia. Pray that I will heal well and be a "good" patient for my husband and kids! Pray that my life will be a true reflection of Christ's life in me throughout the course of the journey.
I am humbled by and thankful for all the prayers already prayed, the cards I have received, the kind offers by so many friends. Please know that God has been answering your prayers by giving peace and calmness and direction. Many people I don't even know are praying for me! How wonderful to belong to the big family of God!
Janet Albertson
I finally have a surgery date for my breast cancer surgery. It will be Thursday, April 28 at 8:30 a.m. I would much rather have had it sooner, but the things which were out of my control were still in God's control. So I trust it is the very best date for the surgery.
Please pray for both surgeons to be careful, skillful, and wise. Pray that I will be safe from infection, bleeding, or reactions to the anesthesia. Pray that I will heal well and be a "good" patient for my husband and kids! Pray that my life will be a true reflection of Christ's life in me throughout the course of the journey.
I am humbled by and thankful for all the prayers already prayed, the cards I have received, the kind offers by so many friends. Please know that God has been answering your prayers by giving peace and calmness and direction. Many people I don't even know are praying for me! How wonderful to belong to the big family of God!
Janet Albertson
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Miscellaneous pictures and happenings from March and April
On March 26, Beth, Emily, and I went to a Women's Conference in Greeley and got to hear Eric and Leslie Ludy speak on "Authentic Beauty," which was all about surrendering to Christ and really knowing God. It was a great conference.
March 27, we went to Colorado Springs to revival service and spent a little time with Uncle Alvin and Katie.
We love getting to see them every now and then.
Katie took this picture of our group before we left their house.
On March 31, I bound the edge of the newest quilt. I gave it to Jason for a graduation gift.
We need to get some good pictures of both Beth and Jason for graduation. Since Beth's glasses get dark in the sun, we haven't figured out how to do good outdoor pictures.
I still think the pictures are sweet, even with dark glasses!
Jason was needing a haircut this day; at least his glasses don't get dark. He's offered to let Beth borrow his for her pictures! :) We'll keep trying...
The mountains are beautiful this time of year.
Spring in Colorado! This was a short, fierce snowstorm we had last Sunday!
Fun times with Lincoln on the rope swing:
Lincoln looking sweet! He has a hard time smiling without making silly faces nowadays, so this was one of the only "normal" pictures.
Beth teasing Lincoln!
Jeffrey and I in the car on our way to Federal Heights telling a funny story.
Pastor Mike Yancey (from Lakewood Wesleyan Bible Church) and his family came up for the evening April 1. We had a great visit and enjoyable music time with him and his family. Mike didn't want to drown out the rest of the instruments, so he used a "high tech" mute: a dishtowel!
Classic picture of Jason playing his cello that evening.
An interesting artifact donated to our museum this week: a glass negative! I am planning to research glass negatives and find out about how old it is.
A picture of my sweet husband, whom I love very much!
This weekend, Emily's friend, Amy has been visiting. They have had a fun time together.
They made these yummy pretzels yesterday.
March 27, we went to Colorado Springs to revival service and spent a little time with Uncle Alvin and Katie.
We love getting to see them every now and then.
Katie took this picture of our group before we left their house.
On March 31, I bound the edge of the newest quilt. I gave it to Jason for a graduation gift.
We need to get some good pictures of both Beth and Jason for graduation. Since Beth's glasses get dark in the sun, we haven't figured out how to do good outdoor pictures.
I still think the pictures are sweet, even with dark glasses!
Jason was needing a haircut this day; at least his glasses don't get dark. He's offered to let Beth borrow his for her pictures! :) We'll keep trying...
The mountains are beautiful this time of year.
Spring in Colorado! This was a short, fierce snowstorm we had last Sunday!
Fun times with Lincoln on the rope swing:
Lincoln looking sweet! He has a hard time smiling without making silly faces nowadays, so this was one of the only "normal" pictures.
Beth teasing Lincoln!
Jeffrey and I in the car on our way to Federal Heights telling a funny story.
Pastor Mike Yancey (from Lakewood Wesleyan Bible Church) and his family came up for the evening April 1. We had a great visit and enjoyable music time with him and his family. Mike didn't want to drown out the rest of the instruments, so he used a "high tech" mute: a dishtowel!
Classic picture of Jason playing his cello that evening.
An interesting artifact donated to our museum this week: a glass negative! I am planning to research glass negatives and find out about how old it is.
A picture of my sweet husband, whom I love very much!
This weekend, Emily's friend, Amy has been visiting. They have had a fun time together.
They made these yummy pretzels yesterday.
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