I am VERY happy to report I went to see my oncologist yesterday and the genetic test they did on my tumor shows only a 7% chance of recurrence in 10 years, so I do not have to have chemo or radiation! Yay! I can't tell you how relieved I am! I am so aware that my experience with cancer is not the experience of every woman, but it has been an emotional, scary time for me nonetheless.
In two months I will start the reconstruction of my breast, but for now, all things look good.
I still have to have the BRCA test. Blood will be drawn, then it will be sent to Utah to have the testing done. If the indicators are positive that I could have ovarian and or/breast cancer again, which seems unlikely for breast, given the last test (from what I understand), then I am looking at having my ovaries removed as well as my other breast. Since my mother's test came back negative, thank goodness, I am hopeful my test will, too. Keeping my fingers crossed!
The one dumb thing I did was I forgot to get a doctor's release to go back to work Monday! I will have to call my supervisor and see if I can come to work and present the release later, or if I have to stay out Monday morning until I can get the release. For some reason my oncologist always has me come see her on Fridays at 5:00 or 5:30 so once I leave, they close. Drat!
Probably a good thing I'm going back to work and getting back into things, though, as evidenced by my Stream of Consciousness entry yesterday. Sorry about that. Can you tell I'm getting bored?
I have been very blessed in this experience by all the friends and family who have supported me and sent me good wishes and prayers. I can't but help think that made all the difference in my outcome.
One thing I wanted to share with you all is a picture my Aunt Barbara sent me along with a get well card. This is a picture of me and my cousins Lisa and Susan, in, I guess about 1965. I'm either four or five in this picture. I'm the one in the middle. Check out the knees. Every summer my knees were covered in Band-Aids from climbing trees, riding my bike (and falling off), etc. At first, when I got this picture, I laughed and laughed and I was transported--in my mind, anyway--back to that time. I remember it very well. The family used to gather at my great Aunt Emma's house and have great dinners. After supper all the adults would play gin rummy, and the kids would run around and play. This is us down my aunt's basement mid-play. You can see all the toys strewn around. I'm sure my aunt or uncle had to corral all of us to get this picture taken. The reason I mention this is, after I laughed, I looked at myself as a kid and reflected on what became of this kid. This whole experience has really made me take a good look at my life. What I have done and not done. What wishes came true and what didn't. What I'm going through now. *Deep Breath* Anyway, wanted to share--besides, aren't we cute? I still snicker when I look at it.
I will report on my return to work, but then I guess the next significant news I will have is when the reconstruction starts in two months! Stay tuned!
Thanks so much for reading my blog and taking some interest in my experience. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that! I want to thank Carle Clinic and hospital and the Mills Breast Cancer Center for all their help, plus my wonderful doctors, Dr. Johnson, my oncologist, Dr. Berlin, my surgeon, Dr. Sapiente, the radiologist, Dr. Beitel, my GP, plus Evelyn, Dr. Johson's nurse, and Linda, Dr. Belin's nurse. You are all amazing and I am so thankful I had you on my side!
Hugs,
Tracy
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