WOOHOO! Early detection has really paid off!

WOOHOO!  Great news!  My surgeon called with pathology results... WHEW!  I can breath again!  There was no cancer in the lymph nodes - huge sigh!  I'd do cartwheels, but then I'd need back surgery!  Though it was infiltrating surrounding tissue (IDC), the largest tumor was just 1 cm.  The smaller tumor was still fully contained within a duct (DCIS).  The left breast had papilloma cells, some showing a-typical signs which often precede development of breast cancer.  My decision to have a bilateral mastectomy was right on.  The best news... the surgeon believes she removed all the cancer.  Since it had not progressed to the lymph nodes, chemotherapy probably will not be necessary.  Double WOOHOO!!  The final determination will be made by the medical oncologist next week, but quite likely treatment will be a few years of taking an aromatase inhibitor.  Whew!  I really wasn't looking forward to the side effects of chemo, especially going bald.  I've got bad hair to begin with.  I know some people grow back darker, thicker, curly hair, but it would be my luck to get a Donald Trump or Albert Einstein look instead!

A lot of people let me know they were thinking and praying for me and that meant so very very much.  I know God has been with me in this whole process.  The diagnosis at such an early stage was a miracle in itself.  At the very moment I needed it, God put together cutting edge technology, skillful technicians, preeminent doctors, caring nurses and the newest generation of cancer suppressing medication available.   How I wish all this had been available when my sisters were sick.  Sometimes I feel guilty that I have had so much more time than they did.  Then again, I picture them together in Heaven drawing, painting, making teddy bears and quilting together.  I'll get to see them again, but I'm too busy to go right away!

Now that's not to say I don't need anymore positive energy and help from the BIG MAN upstairs.  I made an appointment to see a plastic surgeon for reconstruction.  Since I won't likely need chemo, the reconstruction can happen sooner than later.  It's a complicated 6-7 hour surgery requiring two plastic surgeons to perform it, so they only do one reconstruction a week.  There is a lengthy waiting list.  I'd really like it to be before the first of the year when the insurance company starts the deductible and out of pocket maximum all over again!  Silly me... I should have planned on getting cancer earlier in the year!  So all I want for Christmas are my two front... female appendages! 

I continue to feel better every day.  Today I even received a get-well giant hairy spider from a kindred nut case.  Get-well arachnids... now there's a new niche market.

I'm still a little sleepy, dopey, happy, grumpy and itchy.  So with that in mind... Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to bed I go! (I hear you groaning out there... and quit rolling your eyes!)