Dear Diary #5 - Is there a doctor in the house??

Welcome back friends.

So today is a day for information. I'll try to give details, but not be too wordy. Am I capable of that? We'll see..... 

I maybe should have taken some extra time to process this, but I'm going to write anyway. 

Today is a good day. Today is a positive day. Today is a bit overwhelming.

Today was my surgical consult with the breast surgeon. I know more than I did yesterday, but don't know nearly enough. Here is what I know. 

My cancer is IDC, ER+, PR+, HER2-, Grade 2. Stage is not yet know. Mass size is 21mm x 17mm x 15mm.

IDC = Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. (invasive only means that it has grown beyond the duct it started in)

ER+ = positive for Estrogen receptors, which means cancer cells grow is response to the hormone estrogen

PR+ - positive for Progesterone receptors, which means cancer cells grow in response the hormone progesterone.

HER2- = means negative results and cancer cells have normal levels of proteins.

GRADE 2 = cancer cells are moderately differentiated from normal cells. Grading is usually done from 1 to 3, so this is considered intermediate. 

(I really am not this smart, but google is a wonderful tool, haha)

This type of cancer is the most common, and has a good prognosis, to throw it out there....a good survivability rate. At the moment, as far as we know, it is only found in one breast, and that has a 99% survivability rate. 

The surgeon presented me with two options. Lumpectomy, or mastectomy. 

With a lumpectomy the lump is removed along with a 'margin' of healthy cells surrounding the mass. The hope is that the entire mass is taken, and enough of the healthy cells, and all is well. On the off chance that something gets missed I would be required to complete radiation. 

With a mastectomy the breast is simply removed. No radiation required (at this point). 

Surgeon says 80% of women choose a lumpectomy. 20% choose a mastectomy.

I've never been one to follow the masses, so my mastectomy has been booked for Dec 3, right breast only. 

A few thoughts to share on my choice. Two things quickly stuck in my head in the lumpectomy option. First being there is a 5 to 10% chance of recurrence. Second, it is a guarantee of radiation. 

I figure I am 46 years old, happily married, and one boob or two doesn't make much difference to me. The mass is not HUGE, but it is large enough that there would be a significant size difference in the two breasts if only the mass and margin are removed, so is it really any less awkward? Really? 

Everyone gets to make the decision that works best for them, but this is good for me. 

It's kind of 'holy shit' fast to think that in a couple of weeks I will be down one boob (how much does a boob weigh I wonder? Is this part of a weight loss plan? Too soon? huh). But it is all good!! 

There was no further discussion about oncology, this guy is the guy with the knife. I'm told that pathology is completed within about a week post surgery. I'm told that I can't start any treatment (if required) for a minimum of 8 weeks post surgery. So, when I might know more on the oncology stuff?? Well, that is that part I don't yet know. But all will be revealed, in time. 

Again, a plan is in place, even if it is only the first step. I joined a pretty awesome breast cancer support group on Facebook, and I am learning things, both good and bad. It's like learning a whole new language. With soooo much left to learn. 

But the positives of today:

-knowledge is key

-decision made

-fast enough

-surgery with enough time to heal some before Christmas

-confident in my journey and the next step planned

-special thanks to Jayden for being my doctor buddy today, even though I didn't get the promised ice cream!!

I know that my TRIBE has my back. WE will do this! Keep cheering friends! Love you all! 

Peace and love

Barb