As Good As It Gets

and it doesn't get any better than the news over the past few days. I am so so lucky

so lucky to have found the lump
so lucky to have a GP who got the ball rolling with tests straight away
so lucky for the family and friends who have supported me
so lucky for the wonderful surgeons who operated on me
so lucky for the technology we have available today to allow us to beat this disease
so lucky for the team of staff who look after me at hospital each time I visit
so lucky for a wonderful breast care nurse who is a fab lady
so lucky that I can have hospital in the home come visit me so I could leave hospital earlier
so lucky that after six months or so my life will return to some normality
so lucky that I will now look at life differently and not take it for granted

Yesterday Jason and I had a follow up appointment at the hospital. I had an appointment with one of the surgeons who supervised my operation. He is a lovely man and I am so grateful for him taking care of me. He explained the results he had received back from pathology. All good. I am so lucky that I found this cancer early. I thanked him and he was surprised as he said it was rare for a patient to thank him as he was just doing his job.

The doctor said my tumour was an infiltrating duct carcinoma that had medullary features (Medullary tumours account for less than 5% of breast cancers). This is considered a high grade tumour which is very agressive but as he said, behaves well and is usually consistent in its growth etc. It is a nicer cancer to have in your breast if that is at all possible but is the type to regrow in the same breast if all treatments aren't followed. Due to the surrounding tissue and lymph nodes not being involved I have a very good prognosis and they should be able to wipe this bugger out.

He explained that although they were only going to do a sentinal node biospy to begin with and only take out two lymph nodes they changed there mind during the operation as the two main lymph nodes were already in very poor condition leading them to believe that my lymph nodes were cancerous. The went on to do a 2nd grade axillary removal and took three quarters of my lymph nodes out. mmmm that explains why I am so sore under my armpit. Usually this surgeon would operate in two separate areas leaving two, two inch incisions. One on my breast and one under my armpit for the type of operation I was originally going to have. The surgeon that first did the cut, cut a close to six inch incision across my breast but no incision my armpit. Due to the change of plans with the lymph nodes the cut was big enough for them to do the axillary node removal without adding another incision under my arm. Thankfully all nodes came back clear but had began to change as had the tissue surrounding my tumour in my breast.

Even though the pathology is good I still need to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The doctor is quite sure I have no other cancer in my body due to the lymph nodes not being involved (big sigh of relief). Due to this belief they have decided not to give me a CT scan. The lymph nodes were my main worry as the outcome may not have been as positive if they were involved. There are still a few more test results to come back regarding the receptors of my tumour.

I had my drain tube out yesterday as well. Finally no more bag and tube hanging out of my side. The nurse removed my dressing. Ouch and that's putting it nicely. The dressing had stuck to some of sticky bits holding part of my scar together and was firmly attached to my skin under my arm. This hurt more than the drainage being removed. The sensation of the drain being removed was strange to say the least. Not painful just weird. Once she had removed it Jason and I were both surprised to see than I had had about 30 cm in tubing in my breast. mmmm lovely, I think not. No wonder if felt so strange when she pulled it out. I had only thought is went in about an inch or so. Jason had to change my dressing twice last night but it seems to have settled down now.

Next step of my journey begins.

I begin Chemo in about 3 or 4 weeks ( I should be well and truly healed by then) followed by radiotherapy ( to hopefully stop the cancer regrowing in the same breast as this type of cancer does). I guess that leaves me with hair for maybe another 6 weeks or so if it ends up falling out. I will have to start finding some hats and cool scarves ( I haven't seen any so far) to wear on my head as it too cold here not to wear anything.

Let me know if anyone see's any nice headware and I will check it out.

I had a good cry last night. Not sure why but I think I was so relieved to hear some good news finally after all the bad news and I think it was just letting go of all those feeling that had accumulated. I felt exhausted after a day out. It was very painful sitting in the car going over bumps etc My wound is becoming more sore as it's healing and becomes tighter. I can't wait to be able to wear a bra again but it will still be a week or two.

Wednesday I have to head back to the hospital. My MIL is taking me this time as Jason went back to work today (Tuesday). I have to have a 'Gated Blood Pool' done to monitor how my heart will cope with all my treatment. It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. I was also meant to have my first oncology appointment but they rang and cancelled yesterday and moved it to 17th August as they need my Gated Blood Pool results first. I will be looked after by Dr Kate Hamilton in oncology.

Looking forward to getting chemo over and done with and hoping like crazy it doesn't make me sick as I love eating too much lol.