Well a lot has happened in these last two days. I found out I am not a candidate for CryoAblation because of the size of my lump. On Monday I got a call from Dr. Michele Gadd at Mass General to let me know they had an opening for surgery this Thursday and that there was an excellent plastic surgeon also available, Dr. Jason Cooper. She set me up for a consult with him which we went to this morning. I am very comfortable with him and so I confirmed the date for this Thursday July 10th. I was very pleased to learn it can all be done in one surgery and if all is successful, no need for multiple surgeries. It will be a mastectomy with reconstruction.
To be honest, the bottom line is it feels right to get the mass out now, and not wait any longer. We have done a lot of research and watched a lot of testimonials of people who have beat cancer "naturally", but many have still had surgery of some kind. I am fortunate that I was proactive for 6 weeks and did a lot to get my immune system working well. Also I pushed to get both the AMAS blood test (Onco Lab, Boston) a month ago, which tests for active antibodies that fight "C" and the result was within normal limits. In addition I took the CTC - Circulating Tumor Cells (Quest Labs), blood test to see if there were any in my blood. and fortunately there were none during 2 weeks ago. That is a good indicator for low chance of metastasis and can be a good prognosis overall. The lymph node biopsy was negative last month, which is very good news, and they will biopsy those again during the surgery. This is the right time:)
My heart is full of gratitude for my friends who have pulled together to support me at this time. I thank those who have reached out in so many ways. As an only child with a small family so to speak, I realize I have many "sisters" who are so much more than friends to me. With David and Kendra at day camp my days will be a little more quiet for the next 10 days. Thanks to Sarah and Stacey for helping with overnights for the kids while I am away at surgery and carpools for camp. Also a huge thanks to Mindy who has offered to host my daughter's birthday cookout party and taken that worry off my plate for later this month. My neighbor, Irene, has set-up an online meal plan calendar for those who live close by and are interested in dropping a meal to us. She sent an email to many earlier today. She can be reached at (603) 801-3025 or [email protected]. And the list goes on and on, I have friends who have offered to help me around the house and check in on me. I am truly blessed and surrounded by love:) Hope to be home Friday or Saturday.
To be honest, the bottom line is it feels right to get the mass out now, and not wait any longer. We have done a lot of research and watched a lot of testimonials of people who have beat cancer "naturally", but many have still had surgery of some kind. I am fortunate that I was proactive for 6 weeks and did a lot to get my immune system working well. Also I pushed to get both the AMAS blood test (Onco Lab, Boston) a month ago, which tests for active antibodies that fight "C" and the result was within normal limits. In addition I took the CTC - Circulating Tumor Cells (Quest Labs), blood test to see if there were any in my blood. and fortunately there were none during 2 weeks ago. That is a good indicator for low chance of metastasis and can be a good prognosis overall. The lymph node biopsy was negative last month, which is very good news, and they will biopsy those again during the surgery. This is the right time:)
My heart is full of gratitude for my friends who have pulled together to support me at this time. I thank those who have reached out in so many ways. As an only child with a small family so to speak, I realize I have many "sisters" who are so much more than friends to me. With David and Kendra at day camp my days will be a little more quiet for the next 10 days. Thanks to Sarah and Stacey for helping with overnights for the kids while I am away at surgery and carpools for camp. Also a huge thanks to Mindy who has offered to host my daughter's birthday cookout party and taken that worry off my plate for later this month. My neighbor, Irene, has set-up an online meal plan calendar for those who live close by and are interested in dropping a meal to us. She sent an email to many earlier today. She can be reached at (603) 801-3025 or [email protected]. And the list goes on and on, I have friends who have offered to help me around the house and check in on me. I am truly blessed and surrounded by love:) Hope to be home Friday or Saturday.