Anyway, I know i haven't updated on what has been going on lately but it has just been so busy and I think its going to be a lot busier this next couple of weeks. Here's what happened last week.
So Tuesday, Dr Yap (medical oncologist, in charge of chemo, etc) called me and asked if I had already made up my mind on what surgery option I want. I told her I still don’t know and I will make my decision based on the results of the rest of the tests. Also, she told me that chemo will for sure start AFTER the surgery. I asked her what she would choose if she were in my shoes and she said mastectomy. I -honestly- do not want to get a mastectomy. I do -not- want to lose my boobs. I know that if it came down to it and that was the solution in order to be cancer free, I will choose it but I just want to make it clear that I am against it. I am 22 years old... it took me 22 years to grow my awesome boobs and I hate the anxiety it brings me when I think about losing them... I know I am being shallow sometimes but I don't think it is understandable to an outsider.
It bugged me a lot because I was so confused and emotional and I had to make to make this big decision. I didn’t know when I needed to make a decision so I emailed Dr. Jodi (breast coordinator) and I asked her what she had scheduled for my surgery and she said lumpectomy on the right breast lump, auxiliary node dissection and needle biopsy to remove the benign lump on the left breast. Even though the left breast lump is benign, based on what I have, I should still get it removed right away.
However, this all changes based on the results on the tests I did…
1. Genetic testing = no mutation detected!!! This is good… this means that there is less than 5% chance of me getting it back in the future. However, this is not sure but it is a good chance. My decision of the surgery procedure also depended on this… Jodi told me that if this came out positive to mutation, I needed to consider getting a double mastectomy. But because it was negative I get to keep my left breast.
2. CAT SCAN = if they find any cancerous cells in any other part of my body, they will not do surgery at all. Only chemo… but no results yet, not until next week…
3. Breast MRI = Jodi said that the report they received said that the doctors found an “incidental nodule” on the right breast. He needs to see the CD ROM of the MRI to make sure that it is not another legion because if it is, I would need to get a mastectomy on the right breast. I got it on Friday and dropped it off with Jodi. No news yet.
Jodi said that depending on these tests, if we change the procedure drastically, they may have to move the surgery date. Also, if things work out with the new surgeon, they will also need to move the date as soon as she is first available. I really hope things get going soon because for some reason, the lump is so much bigger than when I first felt it 2 months ago! I think it’s because they have biopsied, poked and prodded the heck out of this lump… Jodi said it should be ok for the next couple weeks or so.
If my surgery date is on the 27th with Dr. Fishman and the procedure stays the same (lumpectomy), it should take about 3 hours and I should be out the same day. I should take 1-2 weeks to recover and then its chemo-time. They are actually telling me I may be out of work for a month. However, if it does lead to a mastectomy, I would have to stay in the hospital overnight and then 2-3 weeks for recovery and then, chemo-time.
They also had me do a pap because I can’t do it later after I am in chemo because it will mess up the results and come out abnormal. They are also testing me for cervical cancer…
Jodi is also getting me a referral with a plastic surgeon in case we do conclude to a mastectomy (but this would not be until months after I have healed). I have an appointment with them next week.
This week is going to be so busy! I have a plastic surgeon appointment on Tuesday, another appointment on Wednesday with Dr. Yap and my second opinion appointment with another surgeon is on Thursday. If things go well with her, my surgery date will be moved...
Besides being busy, I have also been on an emotional roller coaster ride. I'm a bit disgusted with myself for being such a crybaby but I am just glad that I have a lot of people who really care, love and support me. My boyfriend told me I was the strongest person he knew and I haven't cried since then.
Also, I have been distracting myself with Twilight! :) If things don't work out between me and the significant other in the future, I will be forced to hunt Edward Cullen and force him to turn me into a vampire. HAHA. Thats all, good night!
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