Answers

This blog is really quiet, isn’t it? I’m sorry for not updating sooner. October has been a rough month around here. I’m still experiencing all sorts of side effects from my chemo. Plus I had a sinus infection that lasted for weeks. And our youngest had a nasty cold. Both girls had birthdays in early October. I’ve had surgery and an infection from that. And my hands go numb if I sit here and type for too long because of my neuropathy. All of that to say I’ve really neglected this space.

Here’s a very brief update. I had my lumpectomy on Friday, October 21. Surgery went well. My tumor was removed as well as three sentinel lymph nodes. My port was also taken out (slow clap). Last Tuesday we had an appointment with my oncologist to hear the results of my pathology report. I called the day before to confirm that we should keep that appointment, that they had enough time to get the results. I was told that we should keep the appointment. Three guesses whether or not we received those results at our appointment.

Spoiler alert: We did not.

We did meet with my doctor and he found early signs of lymphedema, so he gave me some exercises to start soon and set me up with a specialist at the hospital that I will begin meeting with. I also had some blood work done and my immune system is getting healthier and healthier. I had an introductory meeting with my new radiation oncologist and his staff. We watched a sweet video. He walked us through what my next phase of treatment would be like, pending what the pathology report says. He explained what the timeline will look like once my surgeon and medical oncologist clear me to start.

Of course, I asked if I’ll be done by December 31 before our health insurance deductible resets, and he responded with “why don’t you come back next Thursday and we’ll start the process.” Boom. My kind of doctor. Cancer is expensive. I’d like to get as much done in 2016 as possible. Also, he’s a funny guy. I think we’re really going to get along.

So tomorrow morning we hear the pathology report. If the cancer is mostly dead then we move on with treatment once I have recovered from surgery. If it’s not mostly dead, we’ll figure out what we need to do next.

Thank you, everyone, for your prayers and support and encouragement. Here we go—again.