Results #1

My first official cancer appt. was today.  Geez did it take a long time.  Appt. at 1pm, left the  Siteman Center at 5pm.  I was informed by the nurse that most of my appts. would take a long time as Dr. Eberlein is very thorough & likes to take a long time with his patients – had to go straight to school board meeting from my appt.

Anyway, here is what I know.  The actual counts/numbers are not back from the lab yet as my biopsy was just this past Thursday.  Therefore, they do not know yet the exact type, but should be able to tell me at my next visit.  I will be going back next Tuesday for a clip insertion & then they are calling me tomorrow with my appt. time for an MRI, CT, Bone density test & the oncology visit.  With any luck, they are going to get the last 4 scheduled the same day so it will just be an all day visit.

Anyway, Dr. Eberlein is going to start with chemo.  He is fairly certain it is stage 2 cancer and with any luck, the chemo will shrink the lump & I can have a simple lumpectomy.  From all testing they have done thus far, it does not appear to have spread to any lymph nodes (which is a great thing).  However, they will not know for certain until my other testing is done next week.

So, that is the plan of attack.  Appts. next week & then I will start chemo (or possibly hormone therapy) later the same week (probably by Thursday).  No mastectomy at this point.  Probably will be doing chemo every 3 weeks for 3 months so will have 4 total treatments & then be re-evaluated.

I feel so very blessed to have such a great support network!  Everyone is coming out of the woodwork with calls, texts, emails, etc.  Everyone thinking of me, praying for me, cheering for me.  Words do not describe the happiness that brings to me.

A few tidbits - I told Kelly to start looking for cute short haircuts  or I will be shopping for a wig or lots of cute head scarves….  And, if all continues well, I should be done by boating season – definitely a plus.  Doc said I can continue my normal activities & can exercise.  Plus, there should be no problems participating in the 3 day walk in Chicago August 5-7.    I have signed up to walk in the 3 Day for A Cure walk with my college buddies.  Crazy how that just happened - they had no idea I was going thru any of this & emailed to see if I was interested in walking with them.  To walk, each participant must raise $2300.00 plus pay registration fees.  It is 3 days, the organization puts you up in a pink 2 person tent & you walk approx 16-20 miles per day.  Let the training begin.

One last side note, Dr. Eberlein did confirm that yes I will probably want to take up reading or electronic gaming or something to pass the time @ all these appts.  I don’t know how all these cancer patients handle the long hours of sitting & waiting.  Guess I’m going to learnJ