The BRC (genetic testing) and HER2 (cancer growing accelerant) are negative. Given this news, we are feeling pretty good about having just a single mastectomy with tissue expander, lymph node biopsy and reconstruction to follow. As long as the lymph node biopsy and margins surrounding the cancer are 'clear', I may be able to avoid chemotherapy.
I will be participating in clinical trial for the Tamoxifen drug. This is the medication that will treat and remaining microscopic cancer left over from the surgery. It requires that I take it for 5 years and may cause early menopause, nausea and vomiting. The trial will be taking the medication a week before surgery and then 2 weeks afterwards. They are trying to determine two things: Will taking the drug for 7 days shrink the size of the tumor? And, if so, will the knowledge that the drug is this effective motivate me to continue taking it for the full 5 years despite the potential side effects? If Chemo is necessary, I'll stop taking it as you don't take it in tandem with any other treatments but as a follow up.
Surgery is on Friday, October 12th. It will require a day or two in-patient hospital stay and some serious recovery time. Alan will update the next posting and let you know how everything went and the results of the biopsy.
In preparation for the surgery and battle to come, Alan and I are heading out of town this weekend to San Diego. Gathering some sunshine and relaxing. He is only able to stay for the weekend due to his work schedule but Brittany is going to 'swap him out' and play with me for a few extra days. Looking forward to storing away a little extra sunshine!!
We want to thank all of our friends and family for the overwhelmingly wonderful support. We've definitely felt like we have been 'lifted along' throughout this experience. To my family - thank you for your strength. It is not hard to see where mine came from. Love you all!
My JetBlue family has been amazing. Special thanks to Frankie for her incredible, incredible support. It is extremely rare to consider your boss among your best friends. Justin and Jill - your willingness to be our sounding board and 'helpdesk' for our many questions (both physical and emotional) has been invaluable. Traci and Danny - for your love and positive messages...as well as for picking up the slack for me at work as needed the past couple of weeks (along with Justin)...thank you!! To those who've given us hugs and kind words...you are wonderful. It truly has been an amazing experience. There are so many who have reached out and offered their love. You've made all the difference.
Truly - we are so incredibly lucky to have each of you in our lives.
HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove you sweetie! Thoughts and prayers are with you.
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