Cancer Files: The "M" Word

It has been a very long week.  Good in some ways, not so good in others.  Went to the doctor today to discuss the confusion about the pathology and why we still haven't heard from the University.  Actually, why the pathology had to be sent to the University in the first place.  These are the kinds of things they don't want to discuss over the phone.  So, we found out MOST of the results today.

Looks like there were more of the stage 0 (ductal carcinoma in situ) cells than first thought.  In a lumpectomy, the radiologist marks the area for the surgeon based on the images they have - and believe me, there are A LOT of images at this point!  Then, the surgeon goes in and takes all of the marked area plus extra as a margin to be sure that nothing remains to spread when surgery is done.

Pathology is where they can actually see the cancer cells and determine if the surgeon got it all.  Well, pathology found many in situ cells in the margins too.  Then, the third area they surprised us with the day of the surgery looks like there are invasive cells (which is why they wanted a second opinion from the University).  If they confirm this, then my cancer is into stage 1.  New plan.

The M word - Mastectomy.  Surgeon says the plan now is mastectomy, there has to be another surgery since it isn't all gone, and they can't guarantee they will get it all then since it will be just doing the same procedure over.  We have an appointment scheduled with the plastic surgeon July 22nd to discuss reconstruction options.

Not my best Friday, but during family meetings this week we have all determined that our house is getting pretty cramped with no real way for us to expand here.  So, we are getting excited about putting our house on the market, maybe even in the next month if we can work it out!  Our list for this weekend is to begin boxing up unnecessary things and moving them out to a storage unit we will find to rent.

We definitely have enough to keep us busy these days.  I love that we have a new project to focus on, and if we get our act together, we may be able to have a new house on the other side (unless the one we are eyeing gets snatched up before we can get ourselves ready to go!)

I LOVE distractions!  I also love that my God is so big that He can take this situation and make it bearable!  1 Corinthians 2:9...But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him!