Surgery scheduled

I hate to wait for the microwave that's just how impatient I can be. Got some results on Monday.  First, my HER2 was negative - that's good.  HER2 positive cancers are generally fast growing and aggressive.   Next, my Ki67 was 10%.  That shows the proliferation rate and basically tells how many of the cells in the sample are in the process of dividing.  (See how much I'm learning?)   0-10% low, 10-20% medium.  Mine is kind of in-between so we'll see. Another piece of the puzzle. Ultimately the final decision regarding adjuvant treatment (radiation, chemo) is up to the oncologist and the lab report from the lymph nodes. Results are usually back a few days after surgery.

Docs reviewed the MRI and they said it looked clear. No other areas of concern. All things considered... staging, size, test results -- things look good!  I'm feeling really optimistic. I still don't know what's up with the weird EKG, so I have to see a cardiologist on 1/16.  I'm sure it'll be fine and it was just stress or something. Blood work done this morning - check.

Decisions, decisions.  I have decided to go with a double mastectomy. Dr. B basically broke it down like this: if I leave the other one alone, statistics say there is about a 1/2 % per year risk of recurrence in the other breast. So, after 20 years my risk of recurrence is about 10%.  I don't want to take that risk. I buy lottery tickets because there's always a chance. I plan on sticking around for a long time and I 'd rather just alleviate some worry. It's a long surgery - about 8 hours and I'm a bit freaked out at the thought of that. I've never had a major surgery or full anesthesia but I want this out.

Dates:  Surgery is scheduled for Thursday 1/30 in Baltimore with Dr. Bellavance.  Dr. Dimercurio was booked through the end of Feb, and while I'd like to go with him, Dr. B doesn't want to wait that long. Plastic surgeon in Baltimore is named Dr. Bluebond.  I have a consult/appt with her next week.  Dr. B is very selective of her team and assures me she is excellent!

My mom will be coming to town on the Sunday or Monday prior to get settled and help out. I will have to go to Baltimore on Wed 1/29 for the blue dye injection - this injection is intended to identify the first lymph nodes (sentinel nodes) that would be the most likely to have cancer cells. Surgery will be the following morning. It will be a one night stay and then back home on Friday. Rustin will take off the three days and be with me from Wed- Fri. I'm sure he'll post an update.

Still trying to complete all assignments for school and stay on track. So far so good. I'm supposed to be back in the elementary classroom on 1/27.  Sure there will be a detour-- but you gotta do what you gotta do. Change the plan, not the goal - ya know?

That's the latest for now.
Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers - keep 'em coming!
Much love