Surgery Date Been Set

I feel calmer now. Yeah, maybe it's because I'm on Ativan now, but it's really because I have a surgery date. It's far enough away that I feel like I can get the fall cleaning done and house decorated for the holidays. I'm thrilled about that. I love the holidays. Yes, I still worry about the growth and spread, but...

For those who didn't catch the last post, I have Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma - common and fast growing. I'm obsessive about checking myself, so one week it wasn't there and the next it was. My last annual mammogram was March 2011 and it showed nothing which has everyone baffled. The breast tumor is 2.5cm and lymph node tumor is 3.9cm.

I had an MRI done on Monday and it showed possibly more cancer in the same breast, but cancer free in the left. The surgeon opted not to do an MRI biopsy much to my relief.

Due to my family history, I qualify for a double masectomy and that's what I wanted anyway.

Before I can have surgery, I have to have a genetics test which will determine whether or not the lymph nodes of my left breast will be left behind.

I also have to have a Pet Scan. This test must come up with no further indication of cancer. If it doesn't cooperate, then surgery has to be put off and chemo will begin. What this means is that they will not be able to accurately stage me or know how many lymph nodes are involved as the chemo will kill off evidence. I prefer the accurate diagnoses. I have this test as well as other pre-op testing on Novembe 17.

I'm so fortunate that everything, except the meetings today were able to be done on my normal days off.

My surgery date is December 14. I'll be taking eight weeks off work. Which also means I'll be taking time off from the writing world for at least a month. I'm having a radical masectomy on the right and a simple masectomy on the right, unless the genetics test comes out positive then it'll be two radicals. I'll have to work at getting my arm strength back.

If you'd all like to pray for me, I'd like you to also pray for my cousins. Bev was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6. She is having surgery November 28. She opted for reconstruction. She's 40. I've also another cousin, Susan, who has been battling breast cancer for two years. She was first diagnosed at the age of 49. She's had surgery and treatment, but her mom says they don't know if they got it all. She's still undergoing treatment.

Have a great Holiday Season!

I plan on it.

Bekki