The beginning.....

As many of you already know Bonnie was diagnosed last week with breast cancer. She had a lump on her breast which prompted the visit to the Breast Center in Scarborough and after an ultrasound and a biopsy the diagnosis was made. Bonnie has had many cysts and fibroid so her thinking was that this was just another one and not really a big deal but still something to get checked.

There are so many loving and caring folks in this community that want Bonnie to know they are thinking of her and honestly it is exhausting talking to everyone about the situation over and over all day. We decided to start this blog as a way to keep those interested in her progress informed without Bonnie having to "tell the story" all day long. Please feel free to leave comments and she will get them for sure and do not hesitate to wish her well when you see her!

So what is the story?

After the diagnosis and the follow up meeting with the doctor Bonnie decided it was important to get a second opinion on the course of treatment. She met with a breast surgeon at Maine Med's Breast Center and then met with another breast surgeon at Mercy Hospital. Bonnie decided she would be treated at Mercy Hospital with Dr Melinda Molin, surgeon and Dr Roger Inhorn, oncologist. The treatment will all happen at the brand new Mercy facility in Portland which is quite lovely and has wonderful views of the water.

Today Bonnie met with Dr Inhorn and it was determined that she will receive 6 courses of chemotherapy every 3 weeks beginning next Tuesday, August 18th. Tomorrow she is going to get the Mediport put in, this is a device that is implanted under the skin so that medications may be delivered directly into the blood system. Then on Friday she will be having all the appropriate scans which are required before beginning chemo.

Bonnie is in good spirits and of course is much happier now that she knows "the plan"! She sees this as part of her journey and plans on getting through this while maintaining her normal life activities as much as possible.

Keep posted for more updates and information.

Helen