Donna and GC and I met with the surgeon bright and early this morning. In a fairly short amount of time she put a whack of information on the table and all three of us sat there like sponges, trying to absorb it as fast as she could pour it out.
She’s going to wait to do the surgery until the biopsy results from the left breast are available. That biopsy is scheduled for June 17th. There’s only a 20-30% chance that the second lump is cancer too, but she needs to know before she operates. She understands that waiting another couple of weeks is hard, but adding a second surgery after the fact, if necessary, would involve adding even more waiting time.
I have to be nimble with respect to scheduling, and ready to take advantage of any last-minute changes in other people’s schedules.
If the lump in my left breast turns out to be nothing, as expected, surgery will consist of a “wide lumpectomy” to remove the tumor in my right breast. A sentinel node biopsy will also be conducted at the same time to determine if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
Because the tumour is twice as big as they originally thought, there’s a good chance chemotherapy will be required. I have lots of thoughts and feelings about this, and I will probably subject you to them another day. I might go on and on about it. Because nothing says ad nauseum better than the prospect of vomiting for four months.
We asked if the medical isotype shortage caused by the shutdown of the Chalk River nuclear reactor will have any impact on my treatment. She said no. Her patients all have priority access to the isotope supply.
I think that’s about it. It’s all I can remember, at any rate. When I got home, Duncan and I curled up for a long, long nap on the couch.
At least this is forward progress. I hope all goes well with the surgery and you get in quickly. Grab an extra snuggle from Duncan on my behalf!
I showed two colleagues a picture of Duncan today. One asked if he was real, and the other how much he weighed. They were envious when I told them that I once slept with him.
Rest up dear Zoom, and keep the faith…
Two words: “Pot cookies.” I am serious.
Dear Zoom, I think I have posted only once before as I am a member of Duncan`s fun club(having my own 3 cats). However, I am reading every post and want to tell you that you are often in my thoughts. I wish you a speedy and easy recovery, if anyone can beat this monster, it is you. As for the prospect of vomiting due to chemotherapy, you may breese through it. My husband just finished his 6 month chemo for his lymphoma and let me tell you, it was a lot easier that we expected it is going to be. A word of advice if I may, exersise , as much, as you can and then even more. Drug yourself to a gym every time. It will make a huge difference when you start a treatment.
Lana
Hmmm…dragging yourself to the gym vs. medicinal marijuana… that’s gonna be a toughie.
Laurie — do you share the cookies? Just you know so I can make sure they’re … um… tasty.
(Sorry hit send too soon.)
Sounds like it’s going to be up in the air for a bit missy… thinking of you.
Stay positive … I too know someone who breezed through chemotherapy without all the nausea. They gave her something with the chemo that fought the nausea. You will be one of the strong and lucky ones, I know it.
Eat those veggie laden meals plus the flax seed muffins. Have fun with GC, Duncan, gardening, garage saling and art. And yes, exercise. Build yourself up body and soul so that when you face the surgery and whatever treatment they decide on, you are in peak form. And eat the pot cookies if your need to.
Just wanted to keep you sending you positive thoughts while you deal with all of this. You are, without a doubt, an inspiration to anyone reading.
Keep the faith Zoom! And thank you for your update. Give a Duncan fan a extra squeeze from me!
Did I mention that I have a special chocolate chip cookie recipe? We’ll talk…
Hang in there Zoom! You’ve got a great support team in GC, Duncan, Donna, family/friends and blog reader friends who are all rooting for you!
I agree with Laurie, (If it helps)I also hear that popcicle’s are soothing while taking chimo.I bet walking to work and going to the gym has kept you in shape Zoom.
Like someone said enjoy your garden, GC & Duncan
You will pull through this!! I’m thinking about you.
Learn to listen to your body. And when it says “walk”, go out. And when it says “nap”, do that too.
Lynn, yup, forward progress. I just got my surgery date today: June 24th. So finally we’ll be moving from pre-treatment to treatment, which is a relief.
Woodsy, which picture? He does look not quite real in a few of them…
Laurie…I hadn’t even thought of that, but now that you mention it, I think I have the munchies.
Lana, thanks for your comment, and your thoughts. I hope I’m as lucky as your husband. I don’t know about drugging myself at the gym though. I might just stay home with the cookies
XUP – 😉
Nat, I’ll give you a shout if I need any quality control officers.
Oma, I’m exhausted just thinking about all that.
Chris, thanks for the positive thoughts.
Kat, consider him squeezed.
Woodsy, aren’t we doing lunch tomorrow? We’ll talk then.
Mo, I know, I’ve got crazy amounts of support!
Rita, I was in reasonable shape a few months ago. The last few months have taken their toll.
Julia. It keeps saying Smarties.
I wish I could speed the whole process up for you. The waiting must be almost worse than everything else. I’ll continue to keep my fingers crossed for you and keep you in my thoughts, even if I don’t comment often these days.
thinking of you xx