April 22, 2009

Things are moving quickly. Right breast tumor is over 7 cm., lobular in nature and unable to see on mammograms. The left breast core biopsies came back positve today, type yet to be determined. Today was a blood draw getting ready for surgery, tomorrow is PET scan (looking for other cancers that may be lurking around in my body) and then Friday is the Stanford oncologist examination, then I go to the Stanford tumor board for their recommendation. I am hoping their advice is similar to Marin Cancer Center's.

The oncologist I saw yesterday , Dr. Jennifer Lucas, very personable and seemed experienced, said I definitely need a mastectomy on my right side and would advise one for the left because of the nature of the cancer that can only be detected with MRI's. I do not want to spend any more time in an MRI machine if I can help it, and the possibility of the left breast carcinoma becoming like the right, very large (over 7 cm all around) is very probable and I would end up with another mastectomy any way. So I am leaning toward a double mastectomy with radiation after.

Of course, the PET scan may reveal more information we will have to consider. They are looking for errant cancer cells in my body. I read stage III cancer of the right breast on the oncologist report and had an anxiety attack. I called the obudswoman, hereonin will be referred to as Cindi, and she felt Dr. Lucas was referring only to the right breast tumor because of its size. I am definitely not an overall Stage III and I am sorry any anxiety it has caused.

I am scheduling genetic counseling (probably after the surgery) and will find out if my cancer is BRCA 1 ir BRCA2 and then will have to have my ovaries removed (not a big deal, I don't think). It can be done through my belly button I bet. Then my sisters and daughter should get tested.

I see the Marin surgeon next Thursday and I hope to get on her schedule very soon. She has been out for a few weeks, is the mistress of reconstructive surgery (as is her team) and she is the best around according to many sources.

Tonight Rigdon, Bindy's windower, Mike Durrie, and I are going to hear Ken Burns at the Palace of Fine Arts. It will be good to do something other than think about my body. He is showing a film and discussing the National Parks and I know Point Reyes will be feature.

We will be staying at the Ream's in Palo Alto Thursday night, Stanford is at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, tumor board in the afternoon. I will be picking up slides and mammograms to deliver to that group. 

Thank you for all the e-mails, advice, thoughts and prayers.