Another Whammy

I am trying to be up beat, but the other shoe fell yesterday evening. My doctor called with the preliminary pathology report and even she was upset. The tumor was 3.1cm, which we expected. However, there was a second 1.3cm tumor located in another part of the breast, a surprise to say the least. I am so grateful I opted for the mastectomy and not the lumpectomy. In addition, the surgeon removed a small section of skin from on top of the tumor as a precaution and the epithelial cells were cancerous as well. This indicates the tumor ‘sucked’ in the skin cells, which is very unusual, and the cancer is highly aggressive. Lastly, she removed 16 lymph nodes and all the nodes were cancerous meaning the cancer has spread through my lymphatic system and may have metastasized elsewhere. As it stands I am now considered a 3C stage cancer, which is very serious. I have been asked to go into Johns Hopkins for a CAT scan on Friday to check for liver and lung damage and they are arranging a bone scan as well. If any of these are positive I will have to have a brain scan too. The only good news was the blood work from my pre-op indicted normal liver function and a chest x-ray done for surgery also indicated my lungs were clear. So what does this all mean? It means I will definitely have to undergo radiation in addition to chemo, which will add an additional 6 weeks to my recovery time, and at least a 3 to 6 months wait after chemo and radiation before I can have my reconstructive surgery. So yes, my journey is now even longer and will be a tougher fight, but with friends and family like you I can make it.

I thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers. The flowers and gifts you have sent have made me smile and brought tears to my eyes. It is so wonderful to know how many lives I have touched.

For those of you local to me I know we will appreciate meals as soon as I start chemo and while I am undergoing radiation. I have been told feeding my family will be hard to do during that time. I will post my start date as soon as I know.