Secret Surgery

Last week I went through a pre-planned, optional, prophylactic surgery. Because I am positive for the breast cancer gene, I had an 87% chance of getting breast cancer over the rest of my life.
To reduce my risk of breast cancer down to 3% and improve my chances of a longer life, I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy, with reconstruction. That means that I chose to have both my breasts removed, and then replaced with implants at the same surgery. Gratefully, my surgeon was able to do this, and I am recovering quickly with the help of my mother and daugher Laurel.

I told almost no one ahead of time. Even family members did not know. When I first found out about the broken gene I carry, I wondered who should I tell, and how do I tell them. I really never came to a resonable answer for either question, so I kept it secret. Please forgive me if you felt excluded. I still need your prayers and support, and your understanding about my decision to do this quietly.

Please also know that I spent a lot of time researching the procedure and finding a doctor here in Idaho Falls to do the work. Now that I am on the other side of this, I am happy to talk to other women who have done this or are contemplating doing this. If you have any friends that could use a phone call or e-mail from me, I would be delighted to help out.

My check up numbers look very good, as do all the office visits I've had lately. Thanks again for your continued prayers on my behalf. And by the way--I am grateful for my cute little new bosoms!

Amy Featured in March "Idaho Falls Magazine"

New Hairdo

Sorry all, I miscommunicated with Mom and was slow about putting up this great photo by Christine Bennett! Here's the news:

Amy's youngest, Hannah, was baptised on Saturday, February 6th. It was a great day for Amy. She felt great and was happy to have a bunch of family and friends around. She was still taking it easy on the solid foods as a result of another bowel obstruction surgery earlier in the week, but she had a little pudding as a treat! Yesterday, she had the last of the staples out but an hour later she felt very ill again. Fritz took her back to the emergency room (she's got to be racking up frequent flyer miles by now, don't you think?) and they admitted her over night. Amy really loathes having an NG tube to help her eat. It makes it impossible to speak clearly. She would like to see any friends that can make it over though. It's hard to be back on the merry-go-round when you were just there a week previous.

The doctors are not sure why this is happening. She had invasive abdominal surgery a few weeks ago to correct the scar tissue that was binding up her intestines, so there shouldn't be any remaining adhesions. The only think Fritz can think of is that the bowel is hurt from the previous surgeries and has twisted again out of a lack of muscle tension. He can fix that with a probe--no more surgery we hope.

Regular Grandma (Virginia Sargent) is the resident angel in the house (although I'm sure she's anxious about her home in Salt Lake as well) and we are all so grateful for her willingness to serve! Her help allows Fritz to bounce between doctoring, stake president work, taking Hannah and Anthon for treats, and being with Amy.

The older kids wish they could be around to help. Chris is on a mission in Kiev Ukraine (write to him by commenting at http://chrisinkiev.blogspot.com), Hans is working on a chemical engineering degree in Provo, and Laurel is on the wrong side of snowy mountains with a sick toddler while her husband prepares for medical school.

Elder Schmutz has a website!

Hi All,

Laurel is running a blog for Chris' mission. Check it out at http://chrisinkiev.blogspot.com. Any comments you post will be forwarded to Chris. It's a great way to keep track of him and to send him encouragement!