Pathology Report and the Silver Lining

The silver lining - the breast lift saved my life. 

I had the mastectomy of my left breast last Friday, October 12th.  Alan did a great job relaying that experience in his post.  It was a little frightening but we knew I was receiving the very best of care and was in the best possible hands.  We ended up spending two nights in the hospital to ensure we had the correct medication to manage the pain.  It was a lovely room and the staff very accommodating but I was grateful to get back home and sleep in my own bed.  Recovery has been slow but sure.  Lots of resting and taking it easy.   My awesome husband and sweet kids have been playing nursemaids and doting on their Mama.

Today, Dr. Neumayer called with the results of the pathology report.  We had been hoping that we'd be able to get by with a single mastectomy and hormone therapy but it appears it will be a tougher, longer battle after all.  They found three masses in the left breast.  Two of the three masses ended up being cancerous with the largest one measuring more than 5 centimeters and the second just over 1 centimeter.  Also - after further testing, they did find a microscopic invasion of one of my lymph nodes.  All that said - I'll be undergoing both chemotherapy and radiation to be followed by breast reconstruction and hormone therapy for Stage 3a breast cancer.  Not the news we were hoping to hear but the silver lining called out by the doctor - the breast lift most definitely saved my life!!  I ever so grateful for that life changing decision.  

So - next week we'll meet with the oncologist  to discuss the treatment plan.  In true 'Nannette' fashion - I want to get it started as soon as possible - so we can get it over with as soon as possible. They'll be charts and spreadsheets to manage the biggest project of my life...maybe even a Gant Chart.   I'll keep you all posted.

Thank you for all the kind emails, voice mails and text messages.  They've truly lifted my spirits.  Having everyone in my JetBlue family dress up in their 'Say No, No to Breast Cancer' T-shirts on my last day in the office as well as on the day of surgery was touching.  I truly feel like I have an army fighting this cancer alongside me. 



My JetBlue Army