A Small Medical Update

Most of you know that a few years ago I had two fast growing tumors surgically removed and biopsied from my breast. Both of them were labeled benign fibroadenomas. This past July, I had another one removed and biospied; also a benign fibroadenoma. When they did the ultrasound, they found two more small tumors. I was told we would monitor them every six months with an ultrasound and chart their size. Fibroadenomas are extremely common and harmless. However, typically with fibroadenomas they stay the same size or grow very slowly. The normal process for a fibroadenoma is to have an ultrasound every six months for two years and at the end of two years if they haven't grown or have grown very little, you get to keep them! But if the tumors grow, they have to be biopsied. My understanding of the reason why growth is bad is because growth means the tumor is unpredictable.

Fast forward to two weeks ago: I had my follow up appointment and what do you know? Over the past six months they have both grown about 5 mm in size. Because they have grown, I have to have a biopsy. My doctor said she can tell me with 80% certainty that these are also fibroadenomas and not breast cancer, but only a biopsy gives you 100% certainty, so we have to do something. That leaves me with two options: a core needle biopsy or an excisional biopsy. Excisional biopsies are what I have had in the past. A core needle biopsy is less invasive, however if I choose that option and the tumor continues to grow (which history tells us that it will), then I have to get an excisional biopsy anyways. From what I have read, the core needle biopsy is extremely painful and I would much rather be asleep for the painful part. Toby and I have really been talking about the options because I would love to not have any more surgeries this year. There are so many things to consider and I am really bad at making decisions. Thankfully, I don't have to decide by tomorrow or anything, but my doctor said not to take longer than three months and if possible, not to take all of three months.

I have really been weighing my options, and I have also done an insane amount of research to see if there is any option we could be missing. I have not found any other options that I am a candidate for. However with all of the research I have done and my extensive amount of medical knowledge that comes from binge watching Grey's Anatomy, I feel like I should be a doctor.

While a core needle biopsy is less invasive, if the tumor grows after that, it has to be removed excisionally anyways. Because of this we are leaning more towards the excisional biopsy. This may be the more invasive procedure, but it is still outpatient and we think it's my best option. I would rather have one more invasive procedure now, than have two procedures later.

Going forward, we would really like to figure out what is causing these tumors to grow and how to prevent it. If we could get the growth under control, then there would be no need for any more surgeries in the future. We could monitor them with an ultrasound and after two years they will be considered "safe." I will post an update as we decide and move forward. I don't want this to turn into one of those "my medical journey" blogs, but I figured since it's just family and close friends reading, this would be a good place to update everyone all at once!

Since we got married I have had two, going on three outpatient procedures. Toby has been so awesome. He comes to every doctors appointment that he can with me, he takes care of me after surgery (and lets me pick what we watch on Netflix :)) And he lets me cry/vent/laugh/talk his ear off about everything and helps me make these decisions. Toby really didn't know what he was getting himself into when he said "in sickness and in health," but I'm glad he's here to go through it all with me :)

A Warm Day In February?

Leave it to Virginia weather to confuse, but Sunday was a gorgeous day! It was 65 degrees and sunny out. Given that it has been freezing the last few months, we had to do something outside! Toby and I met up with family and friends at a winery for the afternoon! It was such a fun and relaxing day. Everyone brought snacks and we got some wine and sat outside to enjoy the weather!

Love spending time with my sister-in-laws! And Landon :)

A day well spent!

Whirlwind Weekend

This past weekend I got to go on my first "Schaefer road trip." We traveled to New Jersey for the wedding of some of Toby's family friends. It was so much fun as Toby, Scooter, Ben, Patricia and I packed into a car for the 5 hour drive. We met Sue, Ulrich, Brennan, Holly and Isaiah up there. Since I haven't been a Schaefer for very long, I don't know everyone very well yet so I always look forward to any time I get to spend with any of my in-laws! I want to be super intentional about getting to know everyone and letting them get to know me. I feel like I have the best in-laws ever! This weekend was so much fun and I loved getting to talk with everyone. I always hear people make jokes about how in-laws can be a nuisance or difficult, and I honestly feel very sad for those people that they don't have the Schaefer's as their in-laws. Everyone is so welcoming, kind, and caring. And all of the brothers have an uncanny ability to make anyone laugh. Toby and I always talk about how fun it would be if everyone lived closer so we could all spend more time together. I am so excited now for my first Schaefer Christmas so that I can see everyone again!

The wedding was so much fun. Whenever Toby and I go to a wedding together we dance the whole time! Neither of us knows how to dance, but we like to pretend and we have a blast doing it. I can't wait for Ben and Patricia's wedding so we can dance again! I also loved seeing Isaiah. He is the cutest thing. He loves to give hugs and he wanted me to hold him the whole day. I was in Auntie heaven! And on Sunday we went to Scooter and Laura's for the Super Bowl, which was more Aunt Chelsea heaven. Landon was playing with me and letting me read him books and by the end of the night he would run over and give me hugs. The Super Bowl was fun, but Landon was definitely the highlight for me! At one point, he was sitting on Toby's lap and Toby was reading to him. My heart was melting. 

All in all it was a very busy weekend! We were exhausted on Monday but it was so worth it to spend so much time with our family.