By Jennifer Craig— Dec 21, 2013 1:51pm
Thank you for giving us some time to get rested and regroup. Jon and I were completely on "overload" by time we left Cleveland Clinic last night at 6:30 p.m. and physically and emotionally drained. We had a really nice dinner with a glass of wine and celebrated making it through a very long day!
There is no question about it, CC is top notch - so incredibly friendly, thorough and professional. We both felt very confident in each one of the doctors that we met. So this is what we have learned. 80% of breast cancer is curable...so you're stuck with me ;) Jon and I've decided, and based on the doctors recommendation, THAT 80% would be the only "number" we would be focusing on since so many people want to discuss other numbers such as "stage", etc. Major praises, it doesn't appear to be in my lymph (limp according to Jon -haha) nodes or has spread. The type of cancer I have is called invasive ductal and "my" cancer (because there is not a one size fits all) needs to be treated with chemo with a 50/50 chance of radiation additionally (which we will find out after surgery).
We have decided, based on all the info. given to us, that double mastectomy makes sense (which my adorable Jon, told his daughter last night that I was having a double vasectomy - I think we may need a third person at the surgery just to be sure that I'm getting the right procedure done!) We will have a surgery date within the next couple weeks. Most likely, the end of January beginning of February. I'm ready...so of course, I'm praying for sooner versus later....just not next week because we can't wait for Crystal Mountain/snowboarding! The surgery itself will be done at CC which we are told will be 5-6 hours followed by another 2 hours for reconstruction for my new "reversed gravity" beautiful tatas. (By the way, when my surgeon walked in - I was so caught off-guard - she looks like she could be a runway model - absolutely gorgeous and crazy smart, crazy young and very cool) (I also was sent an angel named Jill as my care coordinator. Friday was her last day as she was retiring from CC after 40 years of service - she jumped through serious hoops to make everything happen on Friday. I thanked her and told her that no doubt she had blessed many, many lives. She told all of them to make sure I got the "red carpet treatment"...and I did)
As for chemo, sometimes the treatment is given before your surgery and sometimes the treatment starts after...I should have that information, hopefully, this week. Obviously, I will be losing my hair which we were told happens about three weeks after the first chemo treatment. The thought of losing it in large clumps as I'm showering, sounds traumatizing and scary - so I will be shaving my head before that happens (and no, I will not let Jon at the clippers) Then it's time to bring out the cute hats and bandanas which I love to wear. Probably the best advice that Jon and I were given by the doctors and cancer survivors, is not to do our own cancer research via internet since there is so much "misinformation" available - we will leave it to the professionals.
Last year, Jon and I trained hard for the Tough Mudder Race/competition....I look at 2014 as my year for "training" and winning this next race/challenge...with GOD and all of you on my side...thank you again for all your prayers, support, encouragement and love! I am so grateful and so very blessed! We love you...Jen & Jon
There is no question about it, CC is top notch - so incredibly friendly, thorough and professional. We both felt very confident in each one of the doctors that we met. So this is what we have learned. 80% of breast cancer is curable...so you're stuck with me ;) Jon and I've decided, and based on the doctors recommendation, THAT 80% would be the only "number" we would be focusing on since so many people want to discuss other numbers such as "stage", etc. Major praises, it doesn't appear to be in my lymph (limp according to Jon -haha) nodes or has spread. The type of cancer I have is called invasive ductal and "my" cancer (because there is not a one size fits all) needs to be treated with chemo with a 50/50 chance of radiation additionally (which we will find out after surgery).
We have decided, based on all the info. given to us, that double mastectomy makes sense (which my adorable Jon, told his daughter last night that I was having a double vasectomy - I think we may need a third person at the surgery just to be sure that I'm getting the right procedure done!) We will have a surgery date within the next couple weeks. Most likely, the end of January beginning of February. I'm ready...so of course, I'm praying for sooner versus later....just not next week because we can't wait for Crystal Mountain/snowboarding! The surgery itself will be done at CC which we are told will be 5-6 hours followed by another 2 hours for reconstruction for my new "reversed gravity" beautiful tatas. (By the way, when my surgeon walked in - I was so caught off-guard - she looks like she could be a runway model - absolutely gorgeous and crazy smart, crazy young and very cool) (I also was sent an angel named Jill as my care coordinator. Friday was her last day as she was retiring from CC after 40 years of service - she jumped through serious hoops to make everything happen on Friday. I thanked her and told her that no doubt she had blessed many, many lives. She told all of them to make sure I got the "red carpet treatment"...and I did)
As for chemo, sometimes the treatment is given before your surgery and sometimes the treatment starts after...I should have that information, hopefully, this week. Obviously, I will be losing my hair which we were told happens about three weeks after the first chemo treatment. The thought of losing it in large clumps as I'm showering, sounds traumatizing and scary - so I will be shaving my head before that happens (and no, I will not let Jon at the clippers) Then it's time to bring out the cute hats and bandanas which I love to wear. Probably the best advice that Jon and I were given by the doctors and cancer survivors, is not to do our own cancer research via internet since there is so much "misinformation" available - we will leave it to the professionals.
Last year, Jon and I trained hard for the Tough Mudder Race/competition....I look at 2014 as my year for "training" and winning this next race/challenge...with GOD and all of you on my side...thank you again for all your prayers, support, encouragement and love! I am so grateful and so very blessed! We love you...Jen & Jon
Nice dinner and glass of wine in Cleveland's Italian Village. So cool!
This is the Jennifer Craig I know!! You picked the wrong gal, cancer!! :-)
This is the amazing Jill, who jumped through hoops to make sure Jenny was treated like the ROCK STAR she is, at Cleveland Clinic!!
This is the Jennifer Craig I know!! You picked the wrong gal, cancer!! :-)
Below are re-posted comments from Caring Bridge:
ReplyDeleteBy Katie Pigott — Dec 22, 2013 7:25am
Thanks for the update! XOXO
By Keith De Witt — Dec 22, 2013 6:42am
Thanks for the report. Praying that God gives you the strength to get through this fight. Hair is over rated and bald is beautiful!! Praising God for CC and that the cancer will soon be gone.
Keith De Witt
By daryl ball — Dec 22, 2013 3:48am
So is you physician single? Don't leave that stuff out....I;m kidding! I guess I better keep my day job. You're amazing! I'm thankful that God fills you with his spirit! I'm thankful that you have Jon too! You are in the 80 percent for sure and nobody is better equipped for this than you! You are being prayed for!
By Jen Gable — Dec 21, 2013 11:58pm
I am so glad to hear you have a good team of doctors at CC. You sound like you are ready to face this challenge head on:) You go, girl!! And while my story is a bit different, I am here if you want to talk. xoxo
By Steve Homi — Dec 21, 2013 9:39pm
love you
By Kristen Klempel — Dec 21, 2013 9:23pm
You are ridiculously amazing and I cannot wait to hug you!! <3
By Jody Kyser — Dec 21, 2013 8:48pm
Thank you for the thorough update, Jen! I will continue praying for you throughout this journey.
By Julie Stenberg — Dec 21, 2013 8:20pm
Love you. Thanks for sharing with us.
By Christine Cordell — Dec 21, 2013 8:15pm
Thank you so much for the update. Thinking about you and your family during this tough time!
By Meagan Wachter — Dec 21, 2013 7:13pm
You're in my thoughts and prayers! Xoxo. Meagan
By Kim Wolfman — Dec 21, 2013 6:19pm
Well Beautiful I think this would be a wonderful opportunity for the four of us to have a clean shaved heads in solidarity with wonder photos done by a professional , Be honor to join you in this journey even in this small way... you know us Craig Girls we will make it a party!!! Besides our grandfather was a wonderful barber... we can do each others. Okay since I am the oldest I will go first ;) Love you more. You are beautiful. as always.
By Amy Jager Prame — Dec 21, 2013 5:23pm
You are absolutely amazing girl! You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers! Big hugs to you and have a Merry Christmas with your family! XO
By don bliss — Dec 21, 2013 4:45pm
Jen you and Jon are in our prayers.
By Edie Sorber — Dec 21, 2013 4:10pm
Thank you SO much for the update. Jim and I have had you in our hearts, prayers and thoughts for the last few days. Sounds like a very positive prognosis and that you are in the best hands for your treatment & surgery �� please let us know if there is anything you need or anything we can do. Love, Edie��
By Mary Ellen Sheets — Dec 21, 2013 3:53pm
This is so touching (and funny!). Did you know boobs are just sweat glands? I'm sure you will have really nice new ones - (be careful about letting Jon order them, though). You are very pretty - hair or no hair, with your great smile. Besides, when you are bald, you will get better service where ever you go, so take advantage of it. Bless your heart, you will fly thru this on attitude alone! Love, ME
By Shantrice Davis — Jan 4, 2014 10:47pm
ReplyDeleteJen you are a fighter!!! Keep that beautiful smile girl!!! Love ya
By cheryl boyd-vakerics — Dec 31, 2013 8:27am
Wow! Cleveland Clinic. A great place for sure. I am soooo wondering about how you got there? I've been treated for all my breast surgeries at local hospitals and my onconolgists have been very helpful. Blessedly, all my "looks like cancer" tumors (begininning at age 16) have been benign, but every year I am told, "you are clear for today". Ha! I could use the healthiest dose of your positive attitude! this will save you more then you know.
Thank you for the update and you are in my prayers! Read The China Study and consider another change for helping your recovery by eating the cleanest diet you can. If you want a bunch of brown, curly hair I am offering my hair for a wig for you. You may not want brown, curly hair (ok, it's got some gray in it too....) but it's yours if you want it!
By Kim Fischer — Dec 29, 2013 8:24pm
Jen, thanks for the update...you are such an inspiration! You continue to let your amazing personality and sense of humor shine through :-) Sounds like you have the right team of doctors working with you to set you on the right path of treatment, and I'm so happy to hear that. You've been in my thoughts and prayers lately, and I know that you will win this fight!! Rock On, GIJEN!!! Love ya!!
By Denise Ostrowski — Dec 25, 2013 6:58am
Thinking of you my beautiful friend!
Denise O
By Beth Windemuller — Dec 22, 2013 4:29pm
You are such a strong person ! Let us know how we can help! Xoxo Beth and Scott
By RaChel Deur — Dec 22, 2013 4:27pm
Thanks for keeping us posted. Cleveland Clinic rocks!
By Mary De Witt — Dec 22, 2013 9:46am
Thank you for the detailed update GIJen!! You have been in my thoughts and prayers will continue to be throughout this journey!! My hope and prayer is for you to enjoy this Christmas season with family and friends!!
By Sophie Hunter — Dec 22, 2013 9:02am
Hi Jen! You are an amazing woman. I've kept you in my mind and heart since you posted your cancer diagnosis. Thank you for keeping us posted on your plan of treatments. It sounds like you have a very good team of medical professionals taking care of you as well as Jon ( love the mispronunciation of medical terminology by Jon). I will continue to visit the site to check on your progress. Dieter,Dominique, Danielle, and I will pray for a speedy recovery!
By Kris Grek — Dec 22, 2013 8:46am
So glad you had a great experience at CC. It really helps to have qualified, competent, and helpful people in your corner! Happy to hear that it hasn't spread either :) Prayers continue and I'm here to support in any way I can! Love you GIJEN- You are such an inspiration!!!
By Melanie Bergeron — Dec 22, 2013 8:15am
Thank younfor the detailed, thoughtful, inspiring and even hilarious update GIJEN!! Love your inspiring attitude. Let's celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, celebrate the new year, then SHABANG jump into 2014 and your journey with every ounce of gusto!!!!! Xoxo