Talk about the longest day EVER! We met with TEAM SHAY today. They were very kind and helpful and way overwhelming. This post isn't gonna make sense to many people other than Brett and I. But it's good for me to have all written down so I can make sense of it. I won't be offended if you don't read any of it cuz I don't want to read any of it! LOL
Our first appointment was in the morning at the Roger Maris Cancer Center with Dr. Amit Panwalker, the Medical Oncologist.
We went over the test results from the biopsy. It's a lot of completely incomprehensible data (to me) but here's the gist. It looks like they classified my cancer as a Grade 3 (that's not the Stage it is) which means it is a pretty aggressive cancer. It also tested 99% positive for estrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors. I thought that was a bad thing at first (which it still sort of is) but also gives the doctors several ways of being able to attack the cancer. They originally estimated the size of the lump as 2.9 cm. (But now with the biopsy and swelling the area we are looking at removing is more like 4 cm.)
He did a exam and then gave us some suggestions for treatment.
First is of course, surgery with possibilities of a Lumpectomy or a Mastectomy.
Because of my high estrogen receptor levels, he suggested that I take Tamoxifen, a pill taken orally for 5 years.
With my HER2 receptors being positive, he also suggested Herceptin. It's an IV given every 3 weeks for one year.
Then of course there is Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy.
Holy Moly! How many things can they do to me???
After that life changing meeting, we went home for lunch to be with the kids for a bit. They are such great kids!
Our next appointment was in the early afternoon at the Sanford Breast Clinic with Dr. Michael Bouton, the Breast Surgeon. We found out that he is kind of our Team Captain in this TEAM SHAY of ours. LOL!
He first suggested that I contact Dr. Card and have my IUD removed. Are you kidding me?? Do you know how much that thing cost? There's no way I got anywhere close to my money's worth out of it. I am so ticked. Fortunately though- it doesn't look like I'll have to worry about birth control anyways. They say that more than likely the Chemo will put me into early Menopause. Oh Lucky Day! (NOT!) LOL
He discussed some of our options. He said with how young I am and the size of the lump that we need to do Chemo for sure- it just depends on the order. He's some ideas:
1. Lumpectomy then Chemo then Radiation
2. Chemo then Lumpectomy (if it shrinks) then radiation
3. Mastectomy then Chemo (possible radiation if it's found in the lymph nodes)
4. Chemo then Mastectomy (possible radiation if found in lymph nodes)
With Mastectomy- we have to decide if I stay flat chested or get reconstruction. That's a whole other appointment we have to set up with a Plastic Surgeon. More info to digest- Yippee!
After his own exam, he would supposed that I have Stage II cancer and he gave his suggestion of the best order. He said because of the smaller size of my breast (nothing like being called small chested by your Breast doctor. LOL!) and the size the lump is now, in order to remove it and the appropriate margin around it of healthy tissue- he would be taking about a 1/3 of my breast off. Making it difficult to make it look very good and almost worth just doing a mastectomy. BUT if we do Chemo 1st, there is a chance that we could shrink it and be able to do a fairly successful lumpectomy.
He also suggested that I meet with a Genetic Counselor because of no family history of cancer. Great! Another appointment- just what I wanted!! They all keep telling me I'm a trailblazer here. Oh Lucky day! Just add "Pioneer" to my resume! LOL
As soon as we were done, we immediately walked back to the Roger Maris Cancer Center for our appointment with Dr. Ashley Jensen, the Radiation Oncologist.
They ended up doing some blood work while we waited. Oh let the needles begin!
Then onto Dr. Jensen- This appointment was just to meet him and have him give us a short overview of what his role is in my treatment. If I go with a mastectomy then I would likely never see him. Nothing against him but that would be nice! He did his own exam (Again!!??? Really? I teased saying- "how many men want to feel my boobs today??" Brett of course raised his hand! LOL), then went over radiation information. Radiation is a package deal when you get a lumpectomy. It involves high powered xrays shot directly at your cancered breast. It's a 10-15 minute procedure but with check in time and stuff- it's about an hour appointment 5 days a week for 6 weeks. That's intense! The short term side effects are being tired and some inflammation (kind of like a sunburn). The long term can be hard scar tissue and a change in skin color. SEE?? Avoid if possible!
We finally got home around 4:30. What a LONG day of cancer talk!
We decided since we have a bit of info- it's time to let people know. We have an email prepped so guess we'll send it out with the new info we got today. Take a deep breath. I have no idea what the next day or two will bring!
I have an appointment with Pamela M. Antinuik, a Plastic Surgeon at the Sanford Clinic down on University on Thursday.
Then an MRI set up for Monday.
Are you tired yet? I am! No wonder they say cancer patients are tired all the time. They run us ragged without any treatment! LOL
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