Here is a list of the appointments I have had thus far and what I learned at each appointment. I am going to try, from here on out, to publish a post after each new appointment so that everyone who is interested can keep updated on what is going on. I really didn't want to put all of this on Facebook but I have been so touched by how many people have reached out, showed concern and wanted me to keep them updated...so the blog sounded like a good idea.
1. June 7th, I had my regular annual exam with my family doc. During the visit I mentioned that my right breast felt fuller, firmer than my left. While both breasts have always been firm, the tissue very fibrous I have been told, the right one just seemed a bit different. She told me that she would have me get a mammogram to rule anything out and just add to the things I was checking off my list before we moved.
2. June 8th, I went to the hospital and got a mammogram, they told me the right breast looked very dense, they wanted to get a better look with ultrasound. After waiting a bit they did ultrasound. I started to get a bit worried when the tech started taking pictures of two dark areas. I think she ended up taking about 25 pics in all, measuring and snapping pics for about 15 minutes before she went to get the Radiologist. In comes the Radiologist. He proceeds to tell me there are two "areas of concern" and I am scheduled to see my family doc tomorrow at 11:30 (he already scheduled an apt for me? RED FLAG) He says that I will need a biopsy to rule out anything serious. When I push a little bit, telling him that we are supposed to be moving in a week and a half, and asking if I can have the biopsy done today, he looks down and tells me that he thinks this is very serious, I need to talk to my husband about the move, that unfortunately he thinks I have BREAST CANCER. I was all alone for the news. Of course at this point nothing was confirmed, but when you hear those words for the first time all alone, it is a very scary moment.
3. June 9, met with my family doc, she just went over what Radiologist found, and referred us to a surgeon who will be the one to order biopsy.
4. June 10, met with surgeon, he ordered biopsy to be done.
5. June 14, went to hospital for MRI, then ultrasound guided biopsy of right breast. So MRIs are no cup of tea when you are claustrophobic like me (the Xanax helps), but I tell you the biopsy was the worst thing I have gone through so far! They numbed the right side of my breast, inserted a needle to numb the two pathways to the two tumors, then inserted a larger hollow needle to each tumor, then they shot this tissue capture thingy into each tumor (6 times for the larger area, and 4 times for the smaller one). Everything was numb except for the tumors and tissue right around them, so each time they captured a tissue sample it felt like I was getting my ears pierced inside my boob! Not pleasant. The bruise that resulted from this wasn't pretty either.
6. June 17th, met with doctor for results of biopsy. He told me I have two different kinds of breast cancer. I have cancer in the lobules of the breast as well as the ducts. He referred me to the group's breast cancer specialist, for the rest of my treatment.
7. June 21, when they did my first MRI, they saw a blip on the left breast they wanted to double check so they ordered a MRI guided biopsy (my fav). It ended up that when they did the MRI this time they didn't see anything on the left breast. I thought it was weird, but since I am having a double mastectomy anyway, it didn't really bother me.
8. June 24, met with new breast cancer surgeon for "the gameplan." We are starting with three months of chemo first to shrink down the cancer. About half of my right breast has cancer or precancerous cells present. He said that if we don't do the chemo first it will very difficult to get clean (non cancer) margins around the cancer, and he won't be able to save a lot of my skin, making for a very difficult post-mastectomy reconstruction. SO, if we shrink everything down first then there is a more positive outlook for my mastectomy and reconstructive surgeries down the road.
So that is what has happened so far...whew! I need a nap and a Dr. Pepper after typing all that! :)
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