Surgeon's Report

David and I met with Dr. Nelson, my surgeon, today. Following an exam and a review of the mamogram images, the three of us sat down to talk. My cancer is the most common type, and is Stage IIIA. Stage IIIA means that the tumor is larger than 5 cm (duh, eh? hahaha It's 8 x 12 cm), and it has spread to 4 to 9 axillary lymph nodes on the same side as the carcinoma. As best we can tell, the tumor is not growing into the chest wall, which is a good thing. Stage IIIA has a 5 year survival rate of 67%. It's better than 50%, eh?

We were given 2 options to consider. Option 1) Try to save the breast by using chemo to shrink the size of the tumor, and then do a lumpectomy/lymphectomy, followed by radiation 5 days/week for 5 weeks, and then reconstruction. The problem with that, is that there is a 15% to 20% chance for the cancer to return. Given the fact that I'm still relatively young (okay, so my kids would probably disagree with that statement, but whatever), that would be another 30 years, or so, during which the cancer could come back; have to be on guard more etc. Option 2) mastectomy followed by chemo and radiation. This option gives us the best chance for a complete cure. We have decided to go with Option 2. We will not know if it will be a single or double mastectomy until I have the BSGI test; a diagnostic involving gamma radiation that can detect whether or not the two suspicious lumps in my left breast are cancerous. (Better than another biopsy, in my opinion!)

So, Dr. Nelson is going to set up the BSGI test, talk with an oncologist about my case, and also present it to a board meeting on Thursday night. This meeting involves other surgeons and professionals; should mean that the best course of action will be determined. Dr. Nelson said that everything would be done (surgery) within two weeks, give or take a day or two. This is good, I think. The girls will be close to being back in school, and so it will be quiet here at home during the day. I will be spending one or two days in the hospital. Fortunately, with David being an LPN, he will be able to handle the nursing care I will need at home for the first few days post-op. After that, another trip to the doctor for more follow-up care and then...not sure when the chemo will start. At least two of my girls seem to think I should wear a wig, once my hair starts to fall out. First of all, I'm not completely sure that my hair will fall out, although I suspect it will. I told Chelsea that if it does, it just gives me an excuse to wear some really cool hats :-) In fact, I may just have to design one or two and make them myself. Sounds like a plan to me.

Blessings!