Breast Cancer and the Solo-preneur: Surgeons visit

Onward

The Ultrasound and the mammogram results were it.  The surgeon confirmed there was ‘something’ there; it, the tumor, might be benign or might be malignant. So, after insurance approval, next up comes the biopsy. Then he had also ordered a bone scan, for base line reading as breast cancer so often morphs to the bone. Ultimately he ordered the MRI of the both breasts. Whew, but it is good to make certain of what’s there! Also good to determine the size of the tumor, and make the correct decisions regarding if a  lumpectomy or mastectomy was going to be the surgery of choice.

Biopsy results are in. Another appointment with the surgeon. I brought a friend of mine from church who has had both breasts removed due to two different kinds of breast cancer. Always bring another set of ears with you! Also, bring paper and pen to take notes, or have your friend take notes!

My surgeon is terrific. He began by saying that it was cancer, those words you just really don’t want to hear….especially when there is no cancer of any kind in my family! He said that he doesn’t believe in shrinking (via chemo) the tumor just to do a lumpectomy. There may be leftover cancer cells someplace  around. All his explanations were clear, all questions answered including those of my friend. So he will see me after the MRI to determine which surgery was appropriate. Currently my tumor was sized out at about 5 mm..kinda big..oh crap.

So here are some of the facts to consider: if the lumpectomy is done, I will need radiation as a tumor will re-appear in same area in 70% of cases (what a stat!); If the mastectomy, there is no radiation, but then you have all the re-constructive surgery to consider, as well as more pain, more tubes and drains, more time “off” for healing. So I turned it over to God asking just to be clear of any cancer, no matter which surgery was going to happen. Obviously there was surgery in my future.

Next installment: the MRI results and the decisions about surgery and what it may mean for time away from my work.

To connect with Linda call her at 310-831-4400 or Linda@theidentityadvocate

 

Tags:

Comments are closed.