A breast exam saved my life...

Well I survived my morning appointments.  It seemed slightly surreal waking up and even in the waaaay back of my mind I was thinking...maybe it's not cancer, lol. Is that what they call denial?  I'm still extremely encouraged.  The breast care coordinator went over the diagnosis and treatment options along with my specific pathology report.  The thing that I had to keep reminding my mom is that every one's cancer is different.  It's cool to have questions but those things may not relate to me.  I now have more information such as my tissue samples show that my type of cancer is receptive to estrogen and progesterone. From what I was told today that is a "good thing". Meaning I can have medication to block the estrogen receptors that my form of cancer is being fed from. Also, I am negative or her2neu.  I think that meant that my cancer is not aggressive. Yet, another great sign!

After the breast care coordinator meeting, we met with my surgeon. She has been specializing in breast surgeries related to cancer for over 15 years and comes highly recommended. I had another breast exam and she is scheduling me for an MRI to make sure no cancer cells are forming in my right breast as well.  She also scheduled a referral for me to meet with a plastic surgeon to review cosmetic procedures relating to an entire mastectomy versus a lumpectomy.  I received a ton of literature and books to read and prepare myself for the road ahead.  As I type right now. I am pretty confident that I want to have a mastectomy of my left breast and have reconstructive surgery to make it "brand new".  She will be on vacation for the first two weeks in March and so I won't have surgery until the middle of March.  She wants me to consider all of my options and make the choice that is best for me at this stage of my life.  So, I have been deliberating it all in my head but think the left breast removal is best.

After the meeting with the surgeon my mom met my doctor whom I adore!! She advised my mom that she is just so glad that I came in and my mom and I praise her for being thorough and not sending me home with my fatty underarm and telling me nothing was wrong.  As she told me on Friday, "That Breast exam saved your life."  I strongly feel that way and am eager to learn more and not only help myself process everything but help my friends and family cope as well.  

Well, I am off to the movies and to enjoy the rest of a gorgeous Friday here in the bay. I may post more later, but I wanted to let a lot of you know what was going on because my Blackberry wont stop vibrating.  I'm not complaining because I know it's ALL LOVE!!!

LOVING YOU!!!

Until next type...