Good news! There were no cancer cells present in the biopsy I had on Monday. Yay!
I had decided I probably wasn't going to hear the results until next week so didn't take my phone with me when I went down to visit with Dawn and Aunt Peggy. I came home around 5 o'clock and had a message left at 4:30 of course! Thankfully Dr. Macey said she would be in the office until 6 and also left her cell phone number so I immediately called her back. I was pretty nervous when I called and had been trying to feel prepared to hear bad news.
I was so happy when she started the conversation with, "I have great news."
A pretty stark contrast to the previous results which started with, "Hi, this is Dr. X I have your biopsy results. Unfortunately there were cancer cells so we'll get you set up with a surgeon and an oncologist... and blah.... blah... receptors... blah.... blah... nurse.... blah.... blah... doctor... blah..." Basically I don't know what all was said because my heart was pounding so loud! Although I have to say Dr. X was fairly chipper in her delivery of that news. I wouldn't want that job. I still think Dr. Macey might have done a better job. Maybe in part because I had actually met her in person. I was glad she did this last biopsy and requested that she call me with the results if at all possible.
In the end it really doesn't matter because bad news is bad news... and thankfully good news is good news!
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Biopsy #2... check
Yesterday was my appointment to have an ultrasound with possible biopsy on the second spot that showed up on the MRI. It went well.
At first they were not finding it on the ultrasound. I think the first ultrasound tech was pretty new because there was a second tech (possibly a mentor?) who I remember from a previous visit, she observed the first person and did a second pass herself.
Thankfully she was able to locate something that corresponded with what they could see on the MRI. It was biopsy-worthy (which I expected) so the doctor came in and did that. It went really smoothly just like the first one. I just kept my eyes closed because it's a little disconcerting to watch a needle go inside your body on an ultrasound screen (although strangely fascinating at the same time). I couldn't feel it of course because it was numb but I just can't watch.
The doctor took three "beautiful" samples and said hopefully she will be able to call me with results before Thanksgiving. I wish I would have verified that it would be her (not a different doctor) who will call me because I would prefer to talk to her and not someone else.
Lesson of the Day... Having a good ultrasound tech is really important! The doctor even commended them (although I know it was really the one) after the procedure to say what a good job they did to locate this suspicious spot because it was not an easy thing to find. If she had been unable to locate it with ultrasound I may have had to do an MRI-guided biopsy, which they said is difficult for both the medical team and the patient. Or what if a tech didn't pick up an initial suspicious spot... the bad cells could just keep growing!
Of course having a good doctor(s) is also really important. I can't tell you how many times over the last couple weeks I've thought... what if Dr. Fealko hadn't felt that little bump at my check-up? I wouldn't be going through all this... yet... and when I did it would be worse.
Thankfully she was able to locate something that corresponded with what they could see on the MRI. It was biopsy-worthy (which I expected) so the doctor came in and did that. It went really smoothly just like the first one. I just kept my eyes closed because it's a little disconcerting to watch a needle go inside your body on an ultrasound screen (although strangely fascinating at the same time). I couldn't feel it of course because it was numb but I just can't watch.
The doctor took three "beautiful" samples and said hopefully she will be able to call me with results before Thanksgiving. I wish I would have verified that it would be her (not a different doctor) who will call me because I would prefer to talk to her and not someone else.
Lesson of the Day... Having a good ultrasound tech is really important! The doctor even commended them (although I know it was really the one) after the procedure to say what a good job they did to locate this suspicious spot because it was not an easy thing to find. If she had been unable to locate it with ultrasound I may have had to do an MRI-guided biopsy, which they said is difficult for both the medical team and the patient. Or what if a tech didn't pick up an initial suspicious spot... the bad cells could just keep growing!
Of course having a good doctor(s) is also really important. I can't tell you how many times over the last couple weeks I've thought... what if Dr. Fealko hadn't felt that little bump at my check-up? I wouldn't be going through all this... yet... and when I did it would be worse.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Another Week...
#1 Sorry to anyone who took the time to create a login on the caringbridge site. I decided to move my updates to this location because I'm more familiar with the format. And in all honesty, I found it depressing to admit that I am qualified to actually have a caringbridge site. I feel much more comfortable here!
#2 Update...
On Monday, I met with a genetic counselor. My surgeon wanted me to do this because of my young* age. *(I keep trying to feel flattered when these medical people say, "You're so young.") But I have now learned that if you get breast cancer under age 50, let alone 40, then you are considered young.
The genetic counseling appointment was really interesting. She basically mapped out my pedigree (just a like show horse!). There is a small history of breast cancer in some wonderful younger women with whom I could share some genes, so it made sense to send some blood off to be tested. A sample has been sent to see if I test positive or negative for the BRCA2 genetic mutation... I should find out the results early next week. The results of the test will help determine how aggressive I want to be with treatment. If the result of this test is negative, I may do some additional testing... we'll just wait and see about that.
Then on Tuesday, I had a consultation with my surgeon. We discussed my surgical and subsequent treatment options. I asked her a ton of questions, but of course I have thought of a few more to ask next time. I liked her very much and feel very comfortable in her hands! We didn't make any final decisions as I want to wait until I see the results of the genetic testing. Also she said it would be good to have a biopsy on the second spot that showed up on the MRI prior to any surgery.
I spent much of this week working on that... when the scheduler called me the next day to make the appointment, they did not have an opening until December 11th! That seems like a long time away and had me feeling a little frustrated after things moving so fast in the past week! I called my surgeon's office immediately to let them know and they agreed that it would be better if I could have it done sooner. Vicki, my surgeon's nurse checked to see if I could at least get on a waiting list... no they don't have a waiting list at the imaging center, but the patient can call to see if we have any cancellations... So I started doing that a couple times a day.
Then my nurse navigator, Renee, got in touch with me about it. She and her supervisor said that was pretty ridiculous to ask a diagnosed patient to wait that long, and so they went to bat for me. They were successful and late yesterday afternoon I got a call from someone in scheduling and they were going to find a way to work me in by doing some manual adjustments in the scheduling system... there was an opening on Monday, November 24 at 2 o'clock, was I available? Heck yes! So, that's what I get to do on Monday.
#2 Update...
On Monday, I met with a genetic counselor. My surgeon wanted me to do this because of my young* age. *(I keep trying to feel flattered when these medical people say, "You're so young.") But I have now learned that if you get breast cancer under age 50, let alone 40, then you are considered young.
The genetic counseling appointment was really interesting. She basically mapped out my pedigree (just a like show horse!). There is a small history of breast cancer in some wonderful younger women with whom I could share some genes, so it made sense to send some blood off to be tested. A sample has been sent to see if I test positive or negative for the BRCA2 genetic mutation... I should find out the results early next week. The results of the test will help determine how aggressive I want to be with treatment. If the result of this test is negative, I may do some additional testing... we'll just wait and see about that.
Then on Tuesday, I had a consultation with my surgeon. We discussed my surgical and subsequent treatment options. I asked her a ton of questions, but of course I have thought of a few more to ask next time. I liked her very much and feel very comfortable in her hands! We didn't make any final decisions as I want to wait until I see the results of the genetic testing. Also she said it would be good to have a biopsy on the second spot that showed up on the MRI prior to any surgery.
I spent much of this week working on that... when the scheduler called me the next day to make the appointment, they did not have an opening until December 11th! That seems like a long time away and had me feeling a little frustrated after things moving so fast in the past week! I called my surgeon's office immediately to let them know and they agreed that it would be better if I could have it done sooner. Vicki, my surgeon's nurse checked to see if I could at least get on a waiting list... no they don't have a waiting list at the imaging center, but the patient can call to see if we have any cancellations... So I started doing that a couple times a day.
Then my nurse navigator, Renee, got in touch with me about it. She and her supervisor said that was pretty ridiculous to ask a diagnosed patient to wait that long, and so they went to bat for me. They were successful and late yesterday afternoon I got a call from someone in scheduling and they were going to find a way to work me in by doing some manual adjustments in the scheduling system... there was an opening on Monday, November 24 at 2 o'clock, was I available? Heck yes! So, that's what I get to do on Monday.
What a Week!
Originally posted on caringbridge November 15, 2014
If you are here reading this then you heard the news... I learned on Monday, November 10th that a lump my doctor (bless her!!) found in my breast is cancerous... invasive ductile carcinoma. I don't know a lot yet but am scheduled to meet with my surgeon on Tuesday, the 18th. In the meantime I've gotten to have blood drawn, get a chest x-ray, and have an MRI all in less than a week! We are going to use this site to share updates about what is going on with my treatment.
The good news at this point is there are only two very small spots... the one my doctor felt is about the size of a pea (0.9 cm at it's largest dimension) so it is really small and that is a good thing! The other spot is even smaller and was found on the MRI on Friday... I will mostly likely have another biopsy on it sometime next week to find out if there are more cancer cells. Another thing I know is my cancer is "Grade 1" (this is different than the term "stage" which you may be more familiar with). Grade is a way they tell how different the cancer cells are compared to a normal cell... Grade 1 is the best/least abnormal (with 3 being the worst/most different) so that is good and indicates it is most likely not a super aggressive cancer.
I am so thankful for my family and my friends who I know are going to support me and help me and my family get through this - they already are! I want to give a special thank you to my friend Beth who has one of the busiest, craziest lives I know, and yet she has already driven me through a snowstorm to my MRI, introduced me to a friend who has been through this, and likely gave you this web address as she coordinates some meals for my family... and she would do more if I would let her! And also to Dawn for watching my kiddos many extra hours this week and helping their lives not turn quite so upside down. Thank you!
I know in my heart everything is going to be ok, but I also am trying to be realistic and accept that it is going to be really hard sometimes. So I can use all the positive vibes I can get for strength and healing and remembering to hold on to all the wonderful things in my life. Thank you so much for keeping Claire, Bryce, Juan, and myself in your thoughts and prayers. Love, shana
If you are here reading this then you heard the news... I learned on Monday, November 10th that a lump my doctor (bless her!!) found in my breast is cancerous... invasive ductile carcinoma. I don't know a lot yet but am scheduled to meet with my surgeon on Tuesday, the 18th. In the meantime I've gotten to have blood drawn, get a chest x-ray, and have an MRI all in less than a week! We are going to use this site to share updates about what is going on with my treatment.
The good news at this point is there are only two very small spots... the one my doctor felt is about the size of a pea (0.9 cm at it's largest dimension) so it is really small and that is a good thing! The other spot is even smaller and was found on the MRI on Friday... I will mostly likely have another biopsy on it sometime next week to find out if there are more cancer cells. Another thing I know is my cancer is "Grade 1" (this is different than the term "stage" which you may be more familiar with). Grade is a way they tell how different the cancer cells are compared to a normal cell... Grade 1 is the best/least abnormal (with 3 being the worst/most different) so that is good and indicates it is most likely not a super aggressive cancer.
I am so thankful for my family and my friends who I know are going to support me and help me and my family get through this - they already are! I want to give a special thank you to my friend Beth who has one of the busiest, craziest lives I know, and yet she has already driven me through a snowstorm to my MRI, introduced me to a friend who has been through this, and likely gave you this web address as she coordinates some meals for my family... and she would do more if I would let her! And also to Dawn for watching my kiddos many extra hours this week and helping their lives not turn quite so upside down. Thank you!
I know in my heart everything is going to be ok, but I also am trying to be realistic and accept that it is going to be really hard sometimes. So I can use all the positive vibes I can get for strength and healing and remembering to hold on to all the wonderful things in my life. Thank you so much for keeping Claire, Bryce, Juan, and myself in your thoughts and prayers. Love, shana
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