September 19, 2013 - email correspondence with Scott Jones, CEO, Midwestern Regional Medical Center, Cancer Treatment Center of America (CTCA)

From: "Jones, Scott" <Scott.Jones@ctca-hope.com>
To: scottyteague@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2013 1:56 PM
Subject: RE: Susan Denise Crum-Teague

Scotty,  

Words cannot express my thanks for your wonderful note.  It is so powerful to receive this kind of feedback.  If you don’t mind, I would like to forward your note to those you’ve mentioned as well as to Mr. Stephenson.  They all will be humbled, thankful and inspired by your sentiments. 

I do hope we get the chance to see each other on your return visit.  Please be sure to let me or anyone know if you have any needs. 

Thank you also for your service to our country.  The observance of September 11 earlier this week reminds me and all of us the value and sacrifice you and others in the service have made on our behalf. 

Thank you,
Scott

Scott Jones
President and Chief Executive Officer                                                                                                                             Cancer Treatment Centers of America®

________________________________________________________________________

From: scottyteague@yahoo.com
Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2013 10:31 AM
To: Jones, Scott
Subject: Susan Denise Crum-Teague

Good Morning, Scott,

You and I (Scotty Teague) spoke a few weeks ago about my wife (Susan Denise Crum-Teague) in the hallway on the 1st floor at the CTCA Chicago. We were at the CTCA seeking a second opinion for my wife's breast cancer. We were more than impressed on all this center has to offer any cancer patient, especially for my wife. After our initial visit, we chose the CTCA as our "Pathway to Recovery" because of the complete Mind and Body treatments that are offered. Your staff was very welcoming and hospitable.

Susan is an Associate Vice President of Tusculum College (a small private liberal arts college with an approximate enrollment of 950). She is also an author. I have attached a photo of us so you will know her not only by name, but by face.

I on the other hand am a Licensed Funeral Director and retired Marine.

Susan and I returned on Monday evening September 2 for our appointments and initial treatments to begin on Tuesday, September 3. She had a surgical biopsy on her sentinel nodes both left and right from the axilla area. Our surgeon, Dr. Sanchez (who offers compassion and wisdom along with experience) removed three for her left side and two from her right. Thank God, they were all benign. We met with our plastic surgeon, Dr. Pelletier (who was very compassionate, understanding, sensitive and understands the vanity of a woman's appearance while respecting our feelings) prior to our departure examined Susan and offered confident and detailed information as to her reconstruction.

We are now scheduled to return on September 19 for a pre op exam. We will be at the CTCA the afternoon of the 19th with Dr. Sanchez and possibly the 20th for lab/instructions for her Bilateral Mastectomy surgery scheduled for Monday the 23rd. We plan on being at the hospital the 23rd-27th or 28th and our hotel (hopefully the Guest Quarters North) which is only a block from the hospital. They will want to see her prior to us returning to Tennessee so as to know she's well and safe to travel.

Susan and I want you to know how grateful we are to you, your entire staff, your facilities and the owner Richard Stephenson. How giving is Mr. Stephenson for all he offers to his patients. He is amazing, incredible and unbelievable on what he gives (the generosity) to the families (both the patient and caregivers) who visit the CTCA. Your organization has to be highly commended on your total care giving.

Let me mention a few names of your staff that made a huge contribution to Susan and me.

Dr. Ranulfo Sanchez (surgeon), Ninfa Bontes (RN to Dr. Sanchez), Dr. Aaron Pelletier (plastic surgeon), Dr. T (oncologist), Eric Fowler (genetics, offered a wealth of knowledge to us), Camille (2nd floor RN), Paul (2nd floor RN), Stephanie (2nd floor aid) Maxwell (2nd floor aid), Lisa McNeil, Marie (Care Manager), your travel and accommodations team, and the staff at the concierge desk. One male (who's name I can't recall) who assisted us in limo/shuttle travel was extremely personable, friendly and called us by name. They're many others that made a difference to us as well.  

Barry our initial limo driver. He deserves an award for First Impressions. This man is a Great Ambassador to CTCA. He was extremely informative and professional to us. We had other drivers too that were very good,. Barry #2 was great as well. Very professional and personable.  

All of these folks were outstanding, far exceeded our expectations.

We hope to see you again maybe on our next visit, and if not, Thank You Very much from Susan and I for all you have done and will do for her "Pathway to Recovery" for Susan and all the thousands you make a difference in their quality of life. 

Best regards,

Scotty L. Teague 

USMC (ret)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

September 19, 2013

What a day! It’s been a busy one here at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Chicago, but it’s been a good day.

We started our day with an exam and consultation with a gynecologic oncologist given the genetics test results we received last week. Since a mutation was found in the BRCA2 gene, which justifies why I have breast cancer, I have a higher risk for ovarian cancer. Given the fact that “knowledge is power” (thank you, Eric :), and following my exam and consultation, I am taking a preventive measure and having a hysterectomy.  My surgeon had asked me last week if I’d be open to the idea of having it performed during the bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery on Monday. I told him I’d be open to it, but after my consult this morning, we agreed I’m going through enough on Monday. We’ll probably schedule it in several weeks when I have surgery for my permanent implants as I will be under anesthesia for that procedure. Unless something shows up on the pap or ultrasound, time is not of the essence but we don’t want to wait too long. In the morning, I will be having an ultrasound to primarily determine the size of my uterus. Depending on the size of my uterus will determine if she performs the surgery robotically or with an incision. Much like the rest of our team of doctors, she impressed us very much, and ironically? She too is a breast cancer survivor!

We also met with our surgeon and had our pre-op consultation. Scott and I both have the most confidence in him. He is a very wise man yet very passionate. We had several questions, and he spent almost 90 minutes with us when our appointment was only scheduled for 30 minutes. He also told me the burning and pain I continue to have in both arms from the surgical biopsy he performed a few weeks ago will eventually subside. He also said my discomfort could possibly go away with the surgery on Monday. He and his nurse hugged us (she is awesome too!) and told us they’d see us early Monday morning. Scott told him to get a good night’s rest Sunday night and eat a good breakfast Monday morning :)

Since we were here last, a friend of mine shared her reconstructive surgery experience where her buttock’s tissue was used for one of her implants. Since we did not explore that option with our plastic surgeon to a great extent, we tried to circle back around with him to discuss this in more depth. As a reminder, he told me the last time we were here, after examining me, using tissue from my abdomen was not an option. Unfortunately, he was not in the office this afternoon so we did not get to see him. However, while Scott and I were having dinner at the center this evening, he called me – that impressed us! He is very familiar with that procedure called SGAP (Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator). He told me it is not as common a procedure for ladies having a bilateral given the number of times you’d have to be turned during the surgery plus the increased amount of surgery time. Also, in most cases, it is usually a two-time surgery when both breasts are being reconstructed. Even though the thought of using my own tissue has not been an appealing option for me, we wanted to have this discussion with him before making a final decision.

We concluded our day with another very informative session with our geneticist. Scott has always told me I’m one in a million, but actually I’m only one in ten thousand :) yep, that’s right! The mutation that I have is found in only one in every ten thousand with the BRCA2 gene . . . Only to Susan, right?  The results from this test have been incredibly helpful and enlightening, i.e. solidifying my breast cancer (my paternal grandmother died at the age of 49 with breast cancer) and making us aware of the increased probability of ovarian cancer, which we can now prevent – “knowledge is power” (thanks again, Eric :)

 
Tomorrow is another busy day but trust it will be another good day. We are so thankful God has guided us here in pursuit of our pathway to recovery. I remain excited to see what God has planned for us as we continue to put all of our trust and faith in Him. 

September 19, 2013 - by contributing writer Scott L. Teague :)

I wanted to have my turn to share a few comments on what it’s like to live with Susan day in and day out during her “Pathway to Recovery”. Keeping in mind, we’re all human and pain is pain. Susan has handled it very well. Most importantly, she has managed to keep a positive mindset. I find it important to heal the body from positive thoughts and Susan has done just that. Remembering the fact it was only a couple of weeks ago, she had a bilateral, surgical biopsy. At that time, five lymph nodes were removed, plus a nerve was hit creating excruciating pain on Susan. Every day she has healed from that surgery and now her pain is much better. On a scale from 1-10, she’s about a 3 now. She has been a very good patient, and today she had a great day, both mind and body.

During Susan’s recovery, she will have first hand knowledge of what women go through when they’ve been stricken with this type of illness. She’s developing the tools needed to encourage, lift up and motivate other women through their recovery. As Susan’s husband, I can share my story and listen to the men who are caring for their wives, offering encouragement to them too and help lift them up, as well.

I am shocked as to the number of people having or have had cancer and now multi-year survivors. I have a greater appreciation for the patients and their caregivers. I’ve told Susan I don’t want to be her caregiver; I want to be her husband, fulfilling my responsibility to her and showing my love to

her . . . just as my grandfather did for my grandmother . . . what an example he was for me.

Next week begins another part of our “Pathway to Recovery”.

Simper Fi (always faithful) to Susan,

Scott

September 13, 2013 - Find the Silver Lining

For those of you who saw my Facebook post last evening, you know we are praising God for the final pathology report we received late yesterday afternoon, informing us that the lymph nodes which were removed last week during my surgical biopsy (both sentinel nodes, plus two more on the left side and on more on the right side) were all benign. Thank you for your many positive comments and praises to God, our great physician.

The timing of this news came after I was struggling a few days with other news I received on Monday.

As you all know, I agreed to do the genetics test during our first week at the Cancer Treatment Center. On Monday morning, the geneticist called me, informing me they found a mutation in my BRCA2 gene. BRCA2 is a human gene that produces tumor suppressing proteins, but when it is mutated, it does not function properly. and as a result the cells are more likely to develop genetic alterations, which can lead to cancer.

What does this mean? Well, it solidifies my breast cancer as my father’s mother had breast cancer. A woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is greatly increased if she inherits a harmful mutation in BRCA2. Let me just note that because harmful BRCA2 mutations are relatively rare in the general population, most experts agree that mutation testing of individuals who do not have cancer should be performed only when the person’s family history suggests the possible presence of a harmful mutation, which was relevant to my situation given the fact my paternal grandmother had breast cancer.

So, the geneticist told me since I have the mutation, and I have breast cancer, my risk for ovarian cancer has sharply increased. My surgeon called this past Tuesday to check on me, as well as to talk to me about the news I had received from the geneticist. The geneticist told me on Monday after I overcome my battle with breast cancer, I’d be referred to a gynecologic oncologist. My surgeon even asked if I’d be open to having a hysterectomy while I was under the anesthesia for my bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive survey. With a deep breath and somewhat mixed emotions, I told him, yes, I’d be open to it. So, he was going to speak with the surgeon who would perform that procedure. By the way, after researching her on their web site, I learned she is a breast cancer survivor :)

While continuing to ponder this additional, surgical option, I received a call from my surgeon’s nurse yesterday. She did not think my surgeon had had the opportunity to talk to the gynecologic oncologist and now he was going to be out of the office until Tuesday. We are scheduled to return to Chicago on Thursday so she doubted we would have enough time to have our consult and exam prior to my surgery on Monday, September 23, plus, she actually discouraged the idea of me having all of that done at one time.

To that end, it’s probably unlikely I will have a hysterectomy on the 23^rd but I know that is in my near future. The geneticist in trying to share the positives of all this told me the silver lining was:

 

1.      Now we know;

2.      Knowledge is power; and

3.      We can make decisions for a long, healthy life for Susan.

 

Of course, I guess you can’t have a silver lining without a cloud, nor can we enjoy beautiful rainbows without rain, and we certainly can’t get through this life without a little pain.

Should you find a cloud today hovering along your way, I encourage you to also find it’s silver lining . . . and I pray you don't have to look hard.

Continue to keep us close in your thoughts and prayers, as well as all cancer patients and their families.

 

 

September 9, 2013

"Make Today Ridiculously Amazing" is a quote I just posted on Facebook. As soon as I posted it, I thought, well Susan, how are you going to make today ridiculously amazing since you don't feel like doing anything other than resting in bed? Well, I'm not going to be beat! Even though I remain somewhat limited from my surgery last week, I am going to give it my best shot, starting with updating my blog :)

Since I posted last, my surgical biopsy went well last Wednesday. The doctor removed three nodes from my left side and two from my right, which included the sentinel nodes - all apparently benign! While I was in surgery, they performed a pathology test on them with plans to conduct a more thorough report of them during the next few days but our surgeon was very optimistic they are benign - thank you, God :) This procedure was performed as an outpatient procedure, but due to the amount of pain I was in, they admitted me to the hospital part of the center where I remained until I was discharged on Friday afternoon. The doctor thought he could have hit a nerve on the right side as that was the side I only had two nodes removed, but it was where the majority of my pain resided.

By the way, I cannot say enough about the outpouring of care and compassion given to me and Scott by the staff . . . all the staff. Sometimes I even forget I have cancer . . . for a moment or two :)

I initially was given a morphine pump, which I didn't think I used very much, but Scott quickly corrected me :) They took me off the pump on Thursday and began administering some oral pain medications. I took my daily walks down the hall and back, and all the time, Scott was right there . . . with me . . . and then with a staff person when we'd get caught :) He made a very good nurse but after trying to fix my hair on Thursday he was almost fired! Seriously . . .

My bandages were removed Friday afternoon. I was surprised to see how low the incisions were as most of my pain is in the axilla (arm pit) areas. As long as I kept my arms closely tucked to my body and didn't lift anything or move them, the pain was tolerable, but that is hard to do . . . at best!

After I was discharged, we finally had our long-awaited consult with the plastic surgeon. Once again, Scott was well in tuned as I was sitting there trying to ignore the stinging pain in my arms. We thought we had two options, implants or utilizing my own tissue, regarding the type of reconstructive surgery, but we didn't. Utilizing my own tissue from my abdomen area is not an option . . . too bad they can't flip you like a pancake during surgery and take it from somewhere else :) We spent a lot of time with the plastic surgeon, trying to gain an understanding of the process and ask our 40-11 questions. He too was very compassionate and patient with us, ensuring we had an understanding of the procedure as bet we could.

We left the center around 4:30 p.m. (CST) for the airport. We had dinner at the same place as before in Concourse G . . . think it was called Cubs . . . imagine that, huh? Then, I slept most of the way until we landed in Knoxville. We got home late but slept in Saturday morning, awakening to Austin's 12th birthday - 12 years old  . . . where has time gone? Austin was spending the weekend with his father so we were anxious to celebrate with him last evening with steaks from the grill, a big birthday chocolate chip cookie, complete with a "1" and "2" on top, and an Xbox 360 . . yep, took the boys the rest of the evening to hook all that up!

So, our next step on our pathway to recovery? My bilateral mastectomy and the beginning of my reconstructive surgery is scheduled for Monday, September 23 at 7:30 a.m. (CST). We will be returning to Chicago on Thursday, September 19 for my pre-op exam, as well as a physical, a genetics follow up, survivorship support consult, quality of life consult and more physical therapy treatment and preparation to reduce my risk of lymphedema following the surgery. Following my surgery, our team of doctors will then know if I should have or will need chemo and/or radiation.

This has been and continues to be a life-altering and emotional time in my life. I continue to face many fears. A million thoughts race through my mind every day. Trying to figure out how I will rehabilitate my body, mind and spirit is simply daunting. But one thing we quickly realized is how crucial it is to have a high level of confidence in our doctors along my pathway to recovery and at the Cancer Treatment Center of America, we do . . . no doubts :)

So, I'm going to continue to make today a ridiculously amazing day . . . and I hope you will too.

And remember, together, God and I?  . . . we got this! :)

September 4, 2013

Why is it in the mornings when you can't have anything to eat or drink, you'd give your, well .  . . you'd give anything for some? What I'd give for a cup of coffee right now, but since I can't, I'm having my morning coffee with you . . . :)

Yesterday was a good day at the Cancer Treatment  Center. We had a very uneventful flight from Knoxville to Chicago Monday evening (BTW, I took some of the most incredible pictures from the plane as the sun was setting; I will share when I figure out how to do that :). Our driver was waiting on us upon arrival at the airport who then brought us to Guest Quarters North, one of the properties on site. It is very nice and only about a block from the center. It was such a beautiful day, we even walked there and back yesterday.

After grabbing a quick breakfast at the center, we met with our oncology/surgeon. He shared with us that he will be taking the sentinel node(s) on both sides. I'm thinking both?????? Ugh . . . But he wants to make sure before doing my bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. For that? I am grateful. Depending on how many nodes appear to be malignant or suspicious will determine the total number he removes. They have pathology in the surgery room so they will be looking at them while I am in surgery this afternoon. Although to get the most accurate results, it will take three to four few days.

He also shared with us if he does not have to take more than three my chances of lymphedema are minimal, but if he has to take more from one side or the other, my chances increase. At this point, my eyes welled up . . . you know when you have been so strong, you never know "what" will be your breaking point . . . yesterday this was "my" breaking point. The surgeon immediately asked me if I was talking to the big guy as he pointed to heaven, and before I could answer, Scott said yes, and told our surgeon "we're also asking him to bless you, doctor, including all of our team of doctors, too".

After our session with our surgeon, we met with physical therapy. This gentleman took baseline measurements of both my arms so they can monitor any swelling following surgery should it develop. He also reviewed some exercises I can do after my bilateral mastectomy.

Next, I had to get my labs completed and the young lady who took my blood was fabulous. I didn't even feel the stick!

Then we had to circle back around with our surgeon's nurse who gave us our marching orders in preparation for the surgery today. Scott took it all in . . . no worries here :)

As we were about to leave the center, I realized my prayer blanket was not in my arms! We retraced our steps back to the lab, where we had enjoyed lunch outside. On our way to the bistro, we stopped by security, and I reported my missing blanket. Upon arriving in the bistro there was no blanket to be seen  . . . until . . . we walked in the actual food service area. Someone had found it and turned it in to one of the ladies working the register . . . I was sooooooo relieved . . .  We even went back by the security office so the officer knew I had located it. This is not the time to loose my prayer blanket :)

Some of you may know Scott is a huge baseball fan. He went to New Mexico State on a baseball scholarship, with dreams of making it to the big leagues as he thought that's just what happened . . . to everybody . . . including him. After his dream did not work out, he joined the US Marines Corps, and I'm so glad he did :) Because of my father, I have so much love and respect for the Marines; still don't know much about baseball, although dad was quite the baseball fan, too :( . . . oh well :) . . . But it's obvious Scott's love for baseball remains. One baseball park he had not been to just happened to be Wrigley Field in Chicago. Since we were finished with our appointments early afternoon, guess where we went last night? I had two options: 1) sit at the hotel, as I saw a pity party in the works after the day we'd had while thinking about my surgery today or 2) make our way into the city for the game and that's exactly what we did! After a taxi ride to the train station, a train ride to the purple line then only a few stops on the red line - there we were . . . Wrigley Field. I quickly learned most people come to the game for the stadium's coveted history and atmosphere, as it remains one of two original fields in the country, built in 1914 with most of the original construction still in tact. It was quite the experience . . . and after scalping some great tickets, we were like sitting on the field! And ball park food - can't beat it! I think I had one of everything (Scott affirmed I did), not knowing when I'd get to eat again :) What a night to remember . . . and they played who? :) And the Cubs lost . . . right?

Today at 3 p.m. (CST)/4 p.m. (EST), please whisper a prayer for me, Scott and the surgeons, as well as Austin as he is home with Jeff and Allison, and as Austin would say, God bless them too :) I have already placed this in God's hands, and believe He is going to move mightily in my life so I can honor Him in all I do.

With all of God's blessings . . . .

September 2, 2013

First of all, I hope everyone has had an enjoyable and restful Labor Day weekend. It's so hard to believe summer is on its way out and we can't wear our white shoes any more :( but who doesn't love College football season and the opportunity to wear all the other colored shoes in our closets? :)

Well, here we are . . . at Gate 4 at McGhee-Tyson Airport waiting to embark upon our second chapter in pursuit of "our pathway to recovery". Beginning in the morning, I have several appointments scheduled during the next several days, with the focal point of this trip being my surgical biopsy of the left sentinel node on Wednesday afternoon, which I am hoping will answer a lot of our questions and your questions :)

In the meantime, we enjoyed a few hamburger sliders and fries this evening at the airport then we shared a warm banana nut muffin with cream cheese for dessert. And after all that, Scott is chomping on M&M's while we're sitting here at the gate . . . oh, excuse me . . . Salty & Sweet M&Ms :)

And our dears friends, Jeff and Allison, are preparing BBQ pork on the grill, potatoes and corn at home for Austin . . .yuuuuuuuuuuum :) We are truly blessed with so many friends who have reached out to us, and we are very grateful to Jeff and Allison . . . they, along with a few others, Mike-Mike and Debbie, have walked by our sides during the recent heartbreaks we've encountered, as well as a few of our life's celebrations, our wedding and reception, the last few weeks. Now they are house and Austin sitting, but I bet Allison leaves Rocky (the guinea pig) in the hands of Austin and Jeff after they kept an eye on things, including Rocky, a few weeks ago while we were in Chicago :) Don't think Allison is a big Rocky fan :) Nor am I but let's keep it between us :)

We are getting ready to board so please continue to check my blog regularly for updates and feel free to pass it along to others.

We are forever grateful to you for your prayers and many acts of kindness and support. Remember what the chaplain told Scott the last time we were at the treatment center? "She's in it to win it!" And I am . . . :)

God bless . . .