So Grateful For All The Prayers

Today Kenny & I went to my Post Op Surgery Appointment for my second surgery. I was so hopeful to hear from my surgeon that she she was able to get it all out. I had to rely heavily on my faith and trust that all the prayers said on my behalf would be my strength. As soon as my surgeon, Dr Rupp, walked in the room she asked me how I was doing. I said "I just want to hear you got Clear Margins" she looked at me with a smile and said "Don't worry, we did". What a relief and a testimony to prayer. This type of Cancer that I have is the kind that spreads, and yet with my tumor being at 2.3cm, the Cancer didn't spread to any of my lymph nodes, nor did itmetastasize, nor did it spread to the other side. That is a true testament of prayer and the power in it. I thank you all for being here for me, offering prayers on my behalf and that of my family. This kindness we will never forget. The next step, treatment.

I hope you enjoy this video as it pretty much sums up my gratitude.

I Am a Child of God

I am so very happy to hear, see and know of my girl friends who are being proactive in their health and having Mammograms! Today a friend is having her first Mammogram, although it's not the most fun thing that you could do, it only takes a short time of you day and can save your life.

* Was the last Mammogram you had 2 years ago or longer?

*Are you at least 40 years old and haven't had a Mammogram yet?

*Does Breast Cancer present a history in your family?

*Have you felt a small lump/a difference in your breast lately?

If you have answered yes to any one of these questions you must...YOU MUST have a Mammogram. It really doesn't hurt, takes less than 1 hour of your time, short and harmless X-Ray. This can give you a piece of mind or even save your life. Don't you think your totally worth it? I Do, And I am not the only one......

Surgery Part Two

Monday morning Kenny & I went to the Hospital for another surgery. I have to keep telling myself that at least my cancer hasn't metastasized and hasn't spread to my lymph nodes, that is what keeps me going right now. The girl at the check in as well as the nurses all recognized me from two weeks prior and all said "Oh Mrs. Sarmiento, your back again?" with that sorry look on their faces. I understand it and appreciate it, but when your trying to stay strong it's hard when you receive looks like that. I was happy that they were moving faster this time in getting me into the O.R. When I woke up in recovery I heard bells and alarms going off, I right away realized it was about me. I guess my EKG was showing my heart rate wasn't where it should be, yea that was scary. During all this I was asking the nurse for pain medicine, she kept putting me off on receiving them. I started to cry after what seemed like forever, just then Kenny walks in and became my Knight in Shinning Armor. He is my best advocate, he got the nurse to give me pain meds and then fought with her on the issue of medication that was prescribed. This surgery took more out of me then I thought it would. Although the surgeon cut into the same incision, she only used 1" of the original 5" area. I do feel more pain only because the first time hadn't healed 100% yet. I know over the next week each day will get better and in two weeks I will feel at 80%. I stopped taking my pain medication yesterday (day 2 post surgery), I don't like being on those meds, plus I have a family to focus on.

I will have my Post Op appointment to go over my pathology report from this last surgery next week. We pray the results are "Clear Margins"!!!

Clear Margins

As I was checking in to see the Surgeon I was so hopeful she would say "We got it all". That wasn't what she said, but she was very happy. You know when you hear news that takes the wind out of you, you just have a hard time absorbing what is said. I couldn't understand why she was so happy about the results, she has to go back in since she didn't get "Clear Margins". Why is she so happy about this? Once I had time to do some reading, investigating and understanding here is where I am at. My Pathology Report reads T2, N0, MX which means: Stage 2 Cancer, Cancer isn't present in Lymph Nodes & the Cancer hasn't Metastasized. The tissue taken out didn't have "Clear Margins" meaning there is still some cancer in the outlining area, we need it clear on the outer edges to deem "We Got It All". So Monday Sept 19th I will undergo another surgery to clean up the remaining cancer that is left. Once that is done I will then have appointments made with Oncology and Radiology to determine my treatment plan. Treatments may not start for at least 2-3 weeks. My tumor was 2.3 cm which is twice the size they thought it would be. That was a bit of a shock but do remember, the Stage is based on the size of the tumor. Since the Cancer hasn't spread and hasn't metastasized, being Stage 2 is just a size number at this point.

So although I have to undergo surgery again so soon, It's great news!!!! Keep the prayers coming everyone, they are working. There is power in Prayer and in Numbers. Our family has felt all the prayers and love that has come our way.

Thank You So Very Much!

Amazing Men Paid Us A Visit

Early Saturday Morning we all got up and prepared for the day. We knew we were going to have two very special men come visit us, but we really didn't expect what happened during and after the visit. Our Stake President Ray Carlson brought to our home Elder Christoffel Golden Jr, a General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Our visit was amazing, filled with the spirit and truly inspirational. We were truly spiritually fed, my fears calmed, our home filled with reverence and peace. For these men to come into our home and leave us with such an amazing gift, we are truly blessed.

Post Surgery Status

We arrived for my 9:30 am check in time. After I was taken back for pre-op and had the IV put in they called for Kenny to come back with me. Then off I was taken to Radiology for my ultrasound guided placement of a needle, that would be a marker for the location of the tumor for surgery. My surgeon was so very nice and she explained that there was some kind of back up in the OR and she would try to get things moving a bit quicker. She told us that it is protocol to take one lymph node during surgery to test, but preliminary reports are it hasn't spread! She only had to take one node, that is the best news so far!! We will meet with the Surgeon this week to go over my pathology report from this last surgery.

Our family's faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has been our strength and will continue to be. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We Believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

We appreciate all those who have sent us emails, phones calls, text messages, flowers and smiles our way. Those who have brought us dinner, the kindness you have shown is overwhelming. We are so very grateful for all the prayers that have been offered on our behalf during this difficult time. We are very blessed to have the love of friends and family.

Thank You

Friends, they really do lift up your spirits

Yolie "Girlfriend" Magillanes, what an amazing friend she is. So she got me some information about financial help to offset the cost of travel since I have to drive to Kaiser on Sunset for Radiation. At this point I am told it could be daily but that could change. With the price of gas that could be so expensive!!! Yolie Girl you are so great to help me out, always thinking about others.

So we had some friends come over yesterday for a BBQ, Mike and Jamie Davis....your family is so fun!! Thanks for helping us take our minds off of things. We had so much fun! Just don't let anyone lick your elbows...ha ha

Inez, she is currently battling Stage 1 Breast Cancer. Inez is such an inspiration and makes me feel so at ease about my upcoming surgery. After Inez left I felt so much better about what the surgery will be like. Your daughter Alex is so much like you, what a great example you are Inez...Thank you for helping me through this.

Our Missionaries, those boys are so funny and yet such a great support for us. As I sent them all an email asking them for prayers, they each sent back a message offering such great uplifting messages back. The prayers that are offering on my behalf is amazing. There is a reason why we love these boys, now men, so very much! Thanks Boys, it really has brought me strength to read your messages.

Gratitude

Sunday was so amazing as I started my fast. I could feel the love of others and the prayers that were intended for me. What a peace that overcame me on Sunday. Thank you to all who are so kind hearted and offered their fast for myself and my family. I have so much faith in the power of prayer, but there is something to be said for "Power in Numbers". The love and support of all our friends and family is overwhelming, thank you.

Sundays are always my most favorite day of the week!

X2 at Magic Mountain.....Some Crazy Scary Fun!

With my Surgery just 5 days away JT's friend Lauren & I went to Magic Mountain to get me to laugh and think about something else. We walk right on to the ride (it pays to go with someone who is a ride operator at Magic Mountain ;D) BUT of course as I am starting to chicken out and start having a panic attack I tried to convince Lauren that I really couldn't do the ride. She was not having any of that and said to me with her shifty crazy eyes (that are hilarious) and in a funny voice "NO, now get on the ride"! Not only were we riding this crazy ride but she had me sitting in the front. I am so glad I was wearing my sunglasses, I think I could have scared everyone off the ride with the look of Terror in my eyes. The way they have you sit is like you are sitting on a bull, not that comfortable but it keeps you from FALLING OUT! Then they have you buckle in and the harness is like a vest that they secure you in with. As we climb the 20 story tall ride backwards Lauren is telling me "Look at the Park Marri", what is she... crazy! We start to fall but of course we are at the front so as we are HANGING UP SIDE DOWN BACKWARDS ON THIS RIDE for what seams like an eternity, finally we start to move and man is that ride fast! The G Force of the ride is incredible and so fun but terrifying at the same time. Here is a look at the ride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-y-0IFiZqY

Oh on a side note....I had no idea what the ride looked like until that night when I saw this on YouTube. I had my eyes closed the entire time!!!! I do want to ride it again so I can see what I am riding.....Am I Crazy Or What! Epic Day at MM!!

Thanks Lauren, that was so much fun!!! I will do Tatsu & Green Lantern someday soon....but first we do Riddler's Revenge and Batman!