My entire body has now received the news--you have cancer. I know this because my blood pressure is high, my breakfast wouldn't stay down, my left arm hurts, I've had a headache for days, my left lymph nodes are sore, and my gastro-intestinal system is rebelling. All this, my doctor assures me, is normal.
More good news. The doctor says that mine will likely be a case where a mammogram will have saved a life. I like my surgeon, and not just because she's vegetarian ("Aren't all thinking people?" she asked), but because this is all she does and she seems confident that this will be a detour. Albeit a year-long detour according to the literature in her office that says if everything goes right I can expect to feel like myself again around December. The waiting room contained several books on breast cancer; I selected the one written by Rosie O'Donnell that has a lovely song about getting a mammogram. It's written to the Addams Family theme. I'll give you a minute to recall it to your mind and then imagine Steve and me in the waiting room singing:
It's squishy and its squashy
but it can save your lifey
your better get one ma'am
an annual mammogram
squish, squash, snap, snap
squish, squash, snap, snap
In addition to having informative waiting room reading, the surgeon was able to fit me into a cancellation, so I'm having surgery on Thursday.
It's starts early (around 6 a.m.) with a dye that will travel to my Sentinel Lymph Node and identify which one to take out to biopsy to determine whether the cancer has spread outside the breast. They also place a wire with markings on it to help guide the surgeon to the right location--near the metal clip that was left behind after the biopsy. She'll take a triangular shape of tissue and skin and mark its orientation so that if they determine that not all the cancer has been removed, they'll know what direction to go back in and take more from. I'll be home in time that same evening for Thriller Thursday on BBC America.
The pathology report will take until next week. There are three indicators used to scale breast cancers. The tumor size (T), the Axillary lymph nodes (N) and the Metastasis (M). So far, we only have information on the T and that puts it at Stage 1 and barely out of Stage 0. Not as good as Stage 0, but still pretty small. The N and M we'll know more about next week.
After the NM results are back we'll discuss with the oncologist (are you keeping track how many doctors I now have?) whether we do 6-weeks of radiation therapy only or combine radiation with chemotherapy.
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6 comments:
rev frog:
I'll be singing the song for days now. Vinny did his thing of looking stuff up on the web and has reassured me that your prognosis is good.
You and Steve will be in our thoughts and prayers, esp. on Thursday morning.
You are on prayer chains here.
love you,
the sparkly rev
My son was diagnosed with testicular cancer two weeks before he graduated from college. As you might expect his graduation day celebrations were a bit subdued. That morning when we left him to put on his cap and gown I asked him to look around at the rest of the class. These other graduates are off to vacations, first permanent jobs; some were even relocating in hope of future. I will tell you what I told him "Don't be envious of their normal futures because you are truly going on an adventure." I know the future seems uncertain but you will prevail and your strength will certainly empower others to succeed in the everyday difficulties.
Bill Moses
(Dadmo tc-cancer.com forum moderator)
Kelly:
My son was diagnosed with testicular cancer two weeks before his college graduation. As you might suspect his graduation day was less of a celebration then we had hoped for. On graduation morning I asked him to look around at the other graduates, some were off to their first permanent jobs, other were joining the military and some were moving away from home in anticipation of starting a career. My son’s future was filled with the prospect of chemotherapy and surgeries. That morning I gave him the same pep talk I will give you, all of these people around you think they are headed off to great adventures, you are on your way to an adventure that will change the events of the rest of your life, and those who love you. I know it will be hard to be strong but those around you will get their strength from you. Kelly, good luck with the battle ahead.
Bill Moses
(dadmo tc-cancer.com moderator)
Kelly:
My son was diagnosed with testicular cancer two weeks before his college graduation. As you might suspect his graduation day was less of a celebration then we had hoped for. On graduation morning I asked him to look around at the other graduates, some were off to their first permanent jobs, other were joining the military and some were moving away from home in anticipation of starting a career. My son’s future was filled with the prospect of chemotherapy and surgeries. That morning I gave him the same pep talk I will give you, all of these people around you think they are headed off to great adventures, you are on your way to an adventure that will change the events of the rest of your life, and those who love you. I know it will be hard to be strong but those around you will get their strength from you. Kelly, good luck with the battle ahead.
Bill Moses
(dadmo tc-cancer.com moderator)
Well PK, Being a fan of the original Addams Family, I must say I like the approach you are taking.
Keep blogging and we will keep good thoughts!
The Cowardly Lion and Wife
Well PK, I must say as a fan of the original Addams Family, I like your approach.
Keep blogging and we will keep good thoughts!
The Cowardly Lion and Wife
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