Update

Wednesday I met with the Radiation Oncologist.  After reviewing the records and examining me he explained what the treatment would be.  If I chose not to do the treatment the chance of the cancer returning was a minimum of 20%.  I go in Monday for the positioning CT scans.  Then it's 5 days a week for 4 weeks and that's the short course. Thursday I met with the surgeon who was pleased with the healing progress.  I see her again in November when I will get a mammogram and ultrasound.  Yesterday I met with the Oncologist who, after going over all the test results, etc. let me know that, because the cancer "DNA" was on the low/intermediate scale I would not need chemo.  I go back to see him in 3 months.  So there you have it.  Needless to say I am happy about not having to have chemo.

Maybe, maybe not

It used to be that if a breast tumor was 1.75cm it was automatic chemo.  Mine was 2.5cm.  Nowadays, though, the tumor's "DNA" is looked at.  So, even though the perimeter around the tumor was "clean" there's still a possibility of chemo.  Will find out maybe the 14th or 15th.
Yesterday I waded through the 6 page medical history sheets the oncologist's office wanted filled out.
Had to type up a couple of sections on a separate piece of paper to attach since there wasn't enough room on the form.  My age means I have a more extensive history I guess.  Only 4 lines for medications (and supplements).  Really?!  Even had to root through some medical records I happened to save from oh so many years ago just to get dates of surgeries!  Added those to the separate page.  Some I couldn't remember the dates of.  If they really want to know they'll have to contact the Dr. who did them.
Will meet with Radiation specialist on the 13th.  He's located not far from where I live.  Hopefully daughter can go with as she has with all my other appointments.  If she can't a friend said she will go with.  From what I understand from someone who has gone through it the only side effect she experienced was fatigue.  I think I can deal with that.
There are so many unknowns it can be depressing.  And the lousy gray, wet weather we've had doesn't help.  Hoping for a better attitude so I can get something accomplished.  I'm thinking of maybe starting the bicycle basket for my granddaughter.  I made one for my daughter and grandson.  This will probably be my last basket as my hands are beginning to give in to arthritis.  Plus I have lots of sewing projects to finish.

Post surgery

It's day three after surgery and I'm felling ALMOST back to normal.  Still some discomfort at the sites but am able to move arm with no problem (they check lymph nodes which affects the muscle in the arm pit).  There's an exercise they give you to do so the arm mobility isn't affected i.e. raise the arm over the head.  I know the sites are healing because they are beginning to itch.
Post-op appointment is tomorrow.  Will probably learn about radiation treatment then.  No chemo, thank goodness.  Still more tired than I like but at my age it isn't a surprise.  The older you get it seems the longer it takes to "snap" back to normal.  I have a good sized "dimple" in my left boob but who cares?  The tumor is gone and I'm not entering any beauty contests.
What has been the most surprising about all this is...I didn't know so many people cared!  The director of the gallery went the my daughter and me to the hospital because she didn't want K to be there by herself waiting for me. Another friend spent the night with me so my daughter could go home and be with her kids.  She stayed until the next evening.  And K has told me of numerous inquiries she has gotten about me.  I've been getting numerous messages on my phone and on Facebook.  I cannot express how much it means to me to know that there are those who care.

My trip

Last year I signed up for a trip to Hawaii.  It was a quilting cruise that was 17days long scheduled for 2/3 - 2/20  When I found out about the cancer and had the consult with the surgeon I told her I wanted to take the trip before I had surgery.  She was good with that.  So, I went on the trip.  The classes were interesting.  I learned a lot.  The weather, however, was uncooperative.  We were supposed to go to 5 ports.  We got to 2.  When we reached Kona the seas were too rough for the tender to safely board passengers.  I think the average age of the passengers was around 60+ and there were many with scooters and walkers.  So we gave up Kona and headed to our next port.  Thanks to the weather we ended up spending two days in Honolulu instead of one.  The port was closed the evening of the first day.  The ship had to move to another space to allow the Queen Victoria to dock.  She had gone through the storm.  Her passengers were confined to their cabins (and may have been told to get into their beds and stay there).  A lot of sea sick people.  Anyway, the second day gave us another opportunity to shop for fabric (of course).  My excursion the first day was really great except for the wind.  At Diamond Head my umbrella got totaled by the wind and rain.  Then the sun came out.  It was good to see the sun.  We had had not such good weather on the crossing from San Diego.  And the seas were rough.
I was supposed to meet up with a cousin in Kona...no such luck.  Two other ports were inaccessible due to the seas being rough.  Our last port in Hawaii was Hilo.  It has a pier, but even then it took all six engines and a tug pushing against us to keep us against it.  Watching the waves crash over the sea wall was something else.  At lease we got to go ashore.  A number of us went fabric shopping (of course).  Three of us went to a quilt exhibit, then on to the farmers' market which had more than produce!  It was there I found goodies to bring home to family.  We tried Kona again but no such luck.  The seas were still too rough.  And no, we didn't get to see Kilhueah.
There's much more I could tell you but this give you an idea at least.  Although I was disappointed not to see my cousin and other parts of Hawaii I appreciated the captain's concern for the safety of his passengers.  I'm sure there will be those who will complain.  They should be thankful, however, that they got home in one piece.
Now, if the ship would just stop rocking....

Surgery

I just got back from a 17 day trip on Wednesday.  (I'll write about that later.) Yesterday I went in to do pre-op for surgery on Monday.  The surgery is for a lumpectomy in my left breast.  Yup, breast cancer.  The surgeon put me on an estrogen inhibitor well before I left on my trip in hopes of shrinking the tumor.  It worked.  Hopefully she won't find anything in the lymph nodes in surgery.  I'm optimistic she won't.  After surgery is radiation.  A new experience.  A friend who has been through it says there's nothing to it.  My daughter is taking me in and will bring me home.
I hated going for mammograms.  Now I recommend them to all my female friends.  To you lady readers, too.  And, by the way, men can get breast cancer also.

New Year

A new year has arrived.  Perhaps it will be better than the last, perhaps.  One can only hope.  Mother Nature is letting us know how upset she is with us.  Not all the happenings have been on the news.  Did you know that Mt. Etna was erupting?  I haven't seen it on the news.  Only reason I knew about it was because I follow BBC.  What about cracks in a new multi-story apartment building in England?  The news we get is selective.  And, these days, mostly opinion.  Mother Nature is not selective.  Here we have had over a foot above the average rain.  The ditches along side my driveway have white caps.  The ground is so saturated that a good wind storm will take down a lot of trees.  I'd rather have snow.  Yeah, yeah I know, an inch of rain equals a foot of snow.  I can handle that a lot better, and it's prettier.  But hey, who am I?  May this year bring you good health, peace of mind, and, most of all, stability.
Blessed be.

Celebration

While my daughter's family and I celebrate the Solstice (Yule), I hope those who celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, etc. have a wonderful holiday and may next year bring bright blessings, good health, peace and prosperity.