Oncologist and chemo

Things are moving right along!  It was a super busy week.

I met with my second oncologist on Wednesday.  She is very matter of fact (which is how I like it come to find out!).  The unanimous opinion is that I start chemo before having the surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) and I concur.  So, I will be starting on November 29th.  It will be every two weeks for 16 weeks.  I will be able to have it at Alta View Hospital.  Then, after chemo I will have the surgery, which will put it around the end of March or early April (hopefully after spring break!).

Thursday I had the lymph node biopsy (still a little sore today, but healing).  Hoping the results comes back clean.  If not, I will have to have lymph nodes (on the one side) removed when I have the mastectomy.

Friday, I went to the dentist and got my mouth all taken care of before I start chemo.  All these things you have to take care of that you just don't think about!!!

I am thankful for ALL the people that have gone before me that have blogged and written about their experiences.  It will hopefully make my experience a little more tolerable!

We are still waiting for the genetic test to come back as well.  Should be hearing back this week.  That will change up some decisions if I have the breast cancer gene (BRCA 1 or BRCA 2).

Just a couple more doctors appointments this coming week.  AND...gearing up for a good Thanksgiving, maybe sneak in a little pampering, and try to get as much done to prepare for Christmas as I can.  Hoping my energy level cooperates!

Oh, and everyone has been asking if I need anything or if they can do anything for me.  I really appreciate it.  To help with this I have created a list of things I will need during chemo and some things I would like on my wish list with Amazon.com.  Let me know if you would like to look at it and I will send you the link.  (privacy issues as this is a public blog).  Thanks!

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Hugs,
Becky

Breast Cancer Clinic Summary

A breast cancer clinic is a phenomenal thing.  We met with all the experts (surgeons, oncologists, cancer nurse, patient advocate, etc.) in basically one meeting, well, one-on-one over the course of a morning.  It was a tiring day, but a good opportunity to get the facts and all of the experts recommendations.  It's also getting a second, third, and fourth opinion!   I feel like we're all on the same page.  Very helpful!


The unanimous recommendations that came from the Tumor Board meeting (all the doctors met together to discuss my case) was that I have a PET scan to rule out any cancer that may have spread to other organs, genetic testing done, another biopsy on a lymph node that showed up on the MRI, neoadjuvant therapy (to shrink the tumor first), and a simple mastectomy.  


I don't think "simple" is really a word I would use with mastectomy, but I guess it's the medical way of saying it's not a radical mastectomy, which would include removing muscle and lymph nodes.


So, plans have changed a bit.  After a lot of prayer I do feel confident that the doctors recommendations are the way to go.  Surgery will come later at the end of March.  Next week is going to be a busy one.  But, as I have learned in the last two weeks, things can change, and quickly!
Monday - PET scan
Tuesday - port-a-cath surgery
Wednesday - oncologist meeting to set up therapy
Thursday - lymph node biopsy


Again, thank you to everyone for your continued prayers, concern, help and support!