I went to Stanford on Monday to determine which technology will be used to conduct two more biopsy's of both breasts. They found two small spots on my left breast (which is where they found the first lump) and also found a small spot on my right breast which is indicative of Carcinoma in Situ (meaning it has not spread). So on Tues, Aug 5th I am set to have an Ultrasound Biopsy on my left side and an MRI guided Biopsy on my right. If the results on the left come back more cancer, I am most likly facing a mastectomy on the left. If results come back cancer on the right, then I face more surgery. If they hopefully come back no cancer then barring any other complications, I assume I would start Chemo soon. I don't get results until a couple days after the biopsy's.
I am also meeting with a plastic surgeon on Thurs, July 31st to gain information about breast reconstruction. Not fun stuff but I am trying to come to terms with my options.
I have mixed feelings about waiting for all the testing to be complete and waiting for the meetings with the Dr's, etc. I know that I am doing all the right things in taking this time, I am happy I have gotten all the second opinions because they have brought new things to light. I am also happy I still have my hair, I am not taking any medication right now and I feel great. I have had a pretty fabulous summer but I do not like feeling like I am in limbo. I work on this "project" like it is a part time job. Something that is necessary but annoying. The longer I wait to start Chemo the longer it takes to finish Chemo. And I want to get it over with so it does not occupy more of my time than it already has. I want it to be over so I am closer to being cured.
Will let you know how it goes.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Little bit of history
Hello all, this is my first post and I wanted to give a quick synopsis of my diagnosis and the issues I have already faced in the 2 short months since discovering I have breast cancer. (It is still hard to even type let alone say out loud.) I want not only to record these things for people "just tuning in" but also for myself. This is a journey that I will emerge better than ever but I want to record the steps I will take to get there.
In March, 08, I discovered a lump shortly before going for my annual exam and brought it to the attention of my OB. He sent me for a mammogram and Ultrasound. The Mammogram came back Normal (more on that later) and the Ultrasound found the lump. I could feel it with my fingers so I knew something was there, I just wanted it out. I was not concerned because I had just finished breast feeding Erin in Feb and thought the lump was related to that. In late April, I got my first of many operations, biopsy to remove the lump. The meeting that revealed my diagnosis sticks in my mind. Brian and I were waiting in the office, me not a care in the world, Brian a bit anxious to hopefully hear good news. The Dr. came in briefly but in his arms was my file and before he left and came back, Brian saw the brochure right on top of the file called "Dealing with Breast Cancer". Brian gasp and went white. I was immediately in denial. Then after hearing the confirmation of Cancer, I was still in denial until I heard the words that I would need an Oncologist. That is when I started to cry because I knew that an Oncologist was a cancer Dr. and that is not a Dr that you want to have. We were devastated.
After that the appts, meetings and procedures have been a world wind. I was diagnosed on June 3rd between then and end of July I have had a second operation, hormone testing, 2 MRI's, a PET Scan, Genetic testing, meetings with four specialists, an another Ultrasound and mammogram and another biopsy coming up. In my next entry I will update on the latest tests, etc.
I face Chemotherapy (16 weeks) and Radiation (several weeks) as well as a hormonal (pill) therapy for the next year.
We told Paige the news about mid way through June simply because there were so many appts that she was beginning to wonder where we were going all the time. Brian's mother has graciously come to stay with us for four months while we deal with this and help with the kids. My Mother is set to come in the Fall to help so I am thankful for their help. Erin thankfully will probably not even remember all this but of course both girls will forever need to be tested for Breast Cancer and always be aware of the genetic link. It breaks my heart that I have to put that responsibility on them.
As I have good days and bad, I am thankful as well. I have a wonderful medical community near by at Stanford University. They are the Gold Standard for Cancer research and treatment and I have been tapping into their resources since they are only a 2 hour drive away. I am also thankful that that this disease is completely treatable and curable. There is an established path of success and there is a clear plan for my treatment. I am confident I will get through it but I am clearly dreading the process.
Thank you for your interest and More to come.
Britt
In March, 08, I discovered a lump shortly before going for my annual exam and brought it to the attention of my OB. He sent me for a mammogram and Ultrasound. The Mammogram came back Normal (more on that later) and the Ultrasound found the lump. I could feel it with my fingers so I knew something was there, I just wanted it out. I was not concerned because I had just finished breast feeding Erin in Feb and thought the lump was related to that. In late April, I got my first of many operations, biopsy to remove the lump. The meeting that revealed my diagnosis sticks in my mind. Brian and I were waiting in the office, me not a care in the world, Brian a bit anxious to hopefully hear good news. The Dr. came in briefly but in his arms was my file and before he left and came back, Brian saw the brochure right on top of the file called "Dealing with Breast Cancer". Brian gasp and went white. I was immediately in denial. Then after hearing the confirmation of Cancer, I was still in denial until I heard the words that I would need an Oncologist. That is when I started to cry because I knew that an Oncologist was a cancer Dr. and that is not a Dr that you want to have. We were devastated.
After that the appts, meetings and procedures have been a world wind. I was diagnosed on June 3rd between then and end of July I have had a second operation, hormone testing, 2 MRI's, a PET Scan, Genetic testing, meetings with four specialists, an another Ultrasound and mammogram and another biopsy coming up. In my next entry I will update on the latest tests, etc.
I face Chemotherapy (16 weeks) and Radiation (several weeks) as well as a hormonal (pill) therapy for the next year.
We told Paige the news about mid way through June simply because there were so many appts that she was beginning to wonder where we were going all the time. Brian's mother has graciously come to stay with us for four months while we deal with this and help with the kids. My Mother is set to come in the Fall to help so I am thankful for their help. Erin thankfully will probably not even remember all this but of course both girls will forever need to be tested for Breast Cancer and always be aware of the genetic link. It breaks my heart that I have to put that responsibility on them.
As I have good days and bad, I am thankful as well. I have a wonderful medical community near by at Stanford University. They are the Gold Standard for Cancer research and treatment and I have been tapping into their resources since they are only a 2 hour drive away. I am also thankful that that this disease is completely treatable and curable. There is an established path of success and there is a clear plan for my treatment. I am confident I will get through it but I am clearly dreading the process.
Thank you for your interest and More to come.
Britt
Friday, July 25, 2008
Welcome to our New Blog
Welcome to our new blog! Since June when Britt was diagnosed with Breast Cancer we have received great support from so many of our family and friends, and we know you have all wanted regular updates as to what is going on with her and our family through this. We have decided to create a blog that we will update regularly to provide information on both the medical and personal side of this challenge. This week Britt met with Dr. Stockdale at the Stanford Cancer Center for a consultation, and second opinion. He was also able to read the results of her latest MRI and PET scan. Unfortunately they have found other areas of concern on both, including two areas in her left breast (consistent with previous information), several of the lymph nodes (again consistent with previous information) under her left arm, and a potential area in her right breast (new). This means she will have to undergo another set of Biopsies to determine if these areas are indeed cancerous as well. As of today we are awaiting the scheduling of this, although we anticipate it happening next week. I think the hardest part is the fact that since late May we have been on the diagnostic trail, and haven't been able to move to the treatment trail, there is some satisfaction to having a course of action and moving towards that, and unfortunately we can't do that until we have all of the information. We'll keep you posted.
Brian
Brian
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