No Chemo! Written Feb 14, 2012 9:39am Went to the oncologist yesterday and Dr. Gurtler’s interpretation of my Oncotype DX (the $4000 test that I’ve been waiting 3 weeks for its results) puts me in a range that makes chemo negligible. My chances of recurrence are as possible with chemo as without–which is 7-11%. Better […]

They don’t have a Mardi Gras style setting! Written Feb 5, 2012 8:14am Happy Mardi Gras! Wish Caring Bridge had a blog style in the Mardi Gras colors of purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power)! At least this style is colorful! And I have the cartoon work of good friend John Lucas! Officially the […]

4 weeks post surgery Written Jan 29, 2012 7:22am Good mornin’ from the sunny Bayou, Let me start by saying, if I can’t head out West or up to Boyne to ski or Chicago to ice skate or the UP to snow shoe, at least I can channel my favorite winter things with the ‘style’ […]

I did it!! Written Saturday, Jan 14, 2012 7:24am Well, I stepped out of my comfortable little bubble this week. I started driving again on Tuesday and was able to drive myself to the surgeon’s office on Wednesday to have my drain removed–at 4:45PM. Nothing like the last minute of their work day. But, yes, […]

Follow Up with the Surgeon Written Jan 10, 2012 8:02am I went to see the surgeon on Friday, but since the visit happened to coincide with my 44th birthday and beautiful weather all weekend, I spent the weekend celebrating and I haven’t had any time to give an update. I’m sure you all understand! 🙂 […]

Written Jan 4, 2012 8:46am Happy New Year! So strange to be recuperating over New Year’s weekend. Grateful that in 43 years, this was the first one where I had to do so and that I wasn’t alone. All in all, a lazy weekend with good food and special people to keep me company. I […]

Wrapping up 2011 Written Dec 31, 2011 6:07pm Happy New Year’s Eve!! No news is good news in JoAnn’s recovery world. After relying heavily on Vicadin on Thursday, I have been sticking to extra strength Tylenol yesterday and today for discomfort–which has actually been infrequent. I’m not feeling severe pain (nothing like the pain after […]

Thursday, December 29, 2011 2:35pm Hi All! Thanks so much for the great messages!!! They mean so much to me! Just a quick update today, before I go out in the backyard to relax on a cozy lawn chair. It’s about 70 degrees here in NOLA today and just beautiful. Yes, I am home from […]

Safely Out of Surgery!!!! Written Dec 28, 2011 7:02pm Just a quick message: I’m safely out of surgery!!!!!!! Thanks for everyone’s support and love!!! You all rock!!!!!!! Love, JoAnn

Surgery postponed to tomorrow Written Dec 27, 2011 7:53am I was going to send out a few more announcements about my cancer diagnosis last week, but with getting ready for Christmas, visiting doctors and doing pre-op, time slipped away. So if you are getting my news for the first time, please read my first journal […]