Knee Deep Blog

6 Days until the Malignant Breast Tumor is Removed

If you're just catching up with me you'll want to start here to learn about my discovery of lumpiness behaving badly which is also known as breast cancer to the every day person, as well as why I am writing about my journey of breast cancer and for the time being a breast cancer blog.

My prior post is here.  My next post is here.

Well the day is soon approaching when according to my surgeon I will be "cured" of breast cancer by having my malignant tumors cut out, some of my pectoral (but hopefully not that much) will leave also so they can get a clean margin, and thrown in for good measure a sentinel node biopsy or for those of you who have no idea what that means, one or more of my lymph nodes under my arm will be removed.

Although the newest MRI came back with great results, meaning that nothing had spread, the tumor wasn't buried in my pectoral, and my nodes didn't show signs of creeping cancer they still take out one or more of your lymph nodes and test them, because cancer cells can be microscopic and MRI's are not able to see very small cells.

MRI Results for my Chest - Green Light to Move Forward with Surgery

If you're just catching up with me you'll want to start here to learn about my discovery of lumpiness behaving badly which is also known as breast cancer to the every day person, as well as why I am writing about my journey of breast cancer and for the time being a breast cancer blog.

My prior post is here.

I have to admit that if at any time in my life some one would have told me that I'd be jumping for joy to hear - yes you have the green light, immediately schedule surgery and I'd get excited I would have told you you're crazy.

After two grueling days of waiting to hear, the the breast cancer spread beyond the two malignant tumors; at 7:30 pm I had my answer.  No. No there are no signs of any spread or if the tumor had infultrated the pectoral too deeply, which is a miracle since the tumor is grade two and the beginning of this week marked the one month time frame of being diagnosed and shifting my emotional, physical, and spiritual life forever.

Why Women Get Second Opinions - Breast Cancer Oncologists & Surgeons

If you're just catching up with me you'll want to start here to learn about my discovery of lumpiness behaving badly which is also known as breast cancer to the every day person, as well as why I am writing about my journey of breast cancer and for the time being a breast cancer blog.

My prior post is here.

To say this past week has been trying feels like an understatement. Six days ago on Monday I thought I was all set with my breast cancer treatment plan and simply needed to get over the anxiety of entering what I call Phase 2 - actual treatment and just get on with it.

Kimm, my project boob management coordinator even sent me a reminder to set up my first chemo appointment and outline my "help I need list" for the coming week.  By Wednesday my world was feeling upside down.

Wednesday Tim and I spent two hours with the highly recommended breast surgeon who's name came up at least on eight occasions as the "best breast guy - he cuts the best."  He was frank, a bit too frank for my taste, but I had heard that in advance and was doing my best to filter out my emotion and be objective, but shit it's really hard when it's your body that someone is talking about and you hear...

My First Oncologist Appointment

If you're just catching up with me you'll want to start here to learn about my discovery of lumpiness behaving badly which is also known as breast cancer to the every day person, as well as why I am writing about my journey of breast cancer and for the time being a breast cancer blog.

My prior post is here.

I felt like starting this with Oncologist or Bust...because the first appointment that was scheduled last Thursday was bust.  In retrospect I can even laugh at it, it seems like this journey has definitely had a bumpy ride and lack of direction written all over it.

Last week Tim and I showed up for both the first meeting with our Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center Oncologist, Ben Chue and our Naturopathic Doctor, Heidi Lucas that specializes in cancer only to find out that there was a mistake.  They had scheduled us with a different Oncologist.  So we got that straightened out and had our appointment with Heidi Lucas.  An hour and a half and $298 dollars later in supplements to help me slow down the tumor growth and build my immune system we left to come back a few days later which was yesterday.

I have to admit that this was the longest doctor appointment I have ever had and I've had some long ones - get ready - three hours!  I mean I thought my primary care Naturopath that regularly spends one to one and a half hours with me was exceptional, but no Dr Ben Chue has amazing stamina and wanted to make sure we understood exactly what is happening and what our choices are in beating breast cancer and never coming back.

Everyone Has A Story - A Walk in the Cemetary

If you're just catching up with me you'll want to start here to learn about my discovery of lumpiness behaving badly which is also known as breast cancer to the every day person, as well as why I am writing about my journey of breast cancer and for the time being a breast cancer blog.

My prior post is here.

A few hours ago I found myself walking through a cemetery, no not what you may think - checking out my own mortality - rather, the sun came as I had just finished picking up the films from my mammograms and MRI for the surgical appointment I have tomorrow and I wanted to capitalize upon it and get some fresh air. 

Any one in Seattle knows when the sun is out in the winter find any excuse to bask in it because if you wait even 30 minutes it could be gone for 48 more hours.  Based upon the torrential down pour we had throughout yesterday and the snow last night I figured I really wanted and needed a little sun to warm my face and soul.  The cemetery just happened to be conveniently located across the street from the hospital and breast center, as well as offered an open walking space where I could both exercise a bit and get some fresh air to think.

Needles, Needles, Needles Every Where

One of my clients referred me to this website YouTumor. 

She personally knows the woman that is a survior of cervical cancer and that wanted to preserve her eggs so she could hopefully have a baby.  I was looking through her posts and saw this one which sent a chill through me...yuck needles...yep, this is what all people with cancer get to look forward to.

Post Title, Any One Up For Wagering?   In one month 34 needles.  Yikes.

Check list for my Breast Cancer Journey

If you're just catching up with me you'll want to start here to learn about my discovery of lumpiness behaving badly which is also known as breast cancer to the every day person, as well as why I am writing about my journey of breast cancer and for the time being a breast cancer blog.

My prior post is here.

Last week I realized that I had made an unknowing mistake in my breast cancer journey.  The breast cancer center had told me that I needed to see a surgeon, so that was the first appointment I set up. Unfortunately it would take three weeks (it's set for January 16th) and fortunately it would take three weeks, because I learned that I actually want to see an oncologist first.

One would think that with all of the breast cancer out there and the immediate need for care that the breast centers would hand you a handy dandy 3 X 5 card with a check list so you would actually know what to do instead of allowing some all of us to feel the anxiety of both finding out you have breast cancer and immediately try to figure out what to do next.

MRI Results are in

If you're just catching up with me you'll want to start here to learn about my discovery of lumpiness behaving badly which is also known as breast cancer to the every day person, as well as why I am writing about my journey of breast cancer and for the time being a breast cancer blog.

My prior post is here.

I've just gone through blog hell...having written a great post and instead of clicking save I clicked preview and because it took so damn long to write I got signed out and the whole thing disappeared...arrgyghght!  Don't they know I have a four year old that needs breakfast that I can hear over head and don't really know how much time is available before he comes walking in my office door?

OK, had to get that rant out.

Since I'm getting calls about the MRI results and how am I doing, really doing, I figure oh yeah, time to get writing, but there have been two things up.  One fear of results and therefore procrastination in asking for them and the other is that Wednesday I went back to work and truthfully between client calls and being totally distracted by my "newly forming life" I just didn't get here.