I had my pre-op appointment yesterday with the surgeon. The good news? The roto-rootering of my right breast showed NO cancer on that side. Just fibrocystic stuff. After speaking with my doctor, however, I have elected to do the sentinel node biopsy on both sides to provide the peace of mind that we've searched everywhere for cancer and will treat according to what we find. As I learned with my first experience, it just takes one renegade cell to support a recurrence later.
The sentinel biopsy is more involved than I had thought. I'll go in Sunday for an injection of a radioactive tracer (wonder if I'll have an even more glowing personality at that point?). Monday morning I check in at 8 a.m. for "lots of pictures" to be sure the tracer's doing what it's supposed to do.
Surgery is scheduled for 11:30 and I'll have the dynamic duo of breast surgeon and plastic surgeon working together. They will inject some blue dye into the lymph system (while I'm snoozing) which will guide them right to the sentinel nodes on both sides (It will also make me pee green for a few days, apparently). Those will be removed and tested. If they show no evidence of cancer, we're done. If they show any evidence of cancer, they will remove additional axillary nodes on the appropriate side.
I'm relieved to know that after this ordeal we'll know pretty much exactly what we're dealing with. I asked the doctor what the chances are that there is cancer somewhere else in my body. "Practically zero," she said. I'll take it. We're just determining whether I'm Stage 1 or Stage 2, both with a 90%+ survival rate. Final stage will determine final course of treatment.
The surgery will take as long as 5 hours then I'll be in recovery for another hour or two. They still have me booked as an outpatient, which is shocking, but I've been assured that I'll spend at least one night in the hospital. Good thing cuz I'm really looking forward to that dose of morphine!
Someone will update this blog when I'm out of surgery to let all of you know what's going on. I'll likely wax philosophic over the weekend before the surgery so you'll hear from me again before Monday. Thank you Thank you Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers, offers of help, support, jokes, etc. I'm the luckiest person on the planet to be surrounded by such an amazing group of family and friends.
Ciao!
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Musings and philosophical waxing about my breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, reconstruction, and the "new normal".
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3 comments:
Hey Page,
Jen and I are thinking about you and wish you well on Monday. Here are a few tips to help you on your big day.
First, get a lot of sleep the night before. If you don’t you’ll be cranky and you won’t enjoy the operation.
Second, show up early and if possible, bring bagels for the nurses. It also never hurts to slip the surgeon a fiveski or a ten.
Third, make jokes with the nurses as they will pay you extra attention. But don’t do that with the gas passer. We want that guy to be focused.
Lastly, remember to wear clean underwear. You already know you’re going to the hospital so there’s really no excuse.
All the best!
Derek
Hey girlfriend - phew.... the journey begins and how fortunate all your friends are to be able to take the ride with you. You are a fabulous writer (as you and your employer knows) So with your writings ALL your friends get a seat on the magic school bus :) we all hold hands, pray, laugh and cry with you. We know when the bus ride is over you will be fine. You'll continue to be a wonderful wife, mother and friend. Hugs to you and your family - the Lucore Family
Dear Page,
We just want to let you know (Mor)Erna,the rest of the Danish family and the Mitchells are thinking about you and your family. Lots of good thoughts are being sent your way.
Lis and Co
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