March 29: My Pet Scan was today. Very different... I was taken into a spacious room and was reclined in a comfy chair. I was trying to relax when I read the big warning sign on the door "Caution: Radioactive Zone". Uneasy was more like it! The radioactive material was injected in my arm, I was wrapped with two warm blankets, and the lights in the room dimmed as the nurse locked the door behind her. There was a secuity camera on me, just in case! Really, I could not get out if I tried. The scan was painless and it took about 20 minutes. The radioactive scan will detect the active cancer cells.
March 30: Pat and I met with Dr. Garg. Lisa conferenced on the call, as well. Great news! The two spots found on the lung and liver from the CAT Scan are not cancer. Huge sigh of relief! These scars are likely the "signatures" from having Valley Fever. My treatment plan is in motion. Surgery, April 14 followed by chemo, then radiation. I am scheduled for a Muga scan on Friday, April 1 in the Nuclear Medicine Department. The Muga scan will give a pre-surgery view of my heart so I can be properly monitored during my treatment.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
More Appointments and Test Results
March 28: I met with the Plastic Surgeon today. He was very supportive and reassured me that a Lumpectomy with Radiation and Chemo provide the same long term results as a Mastecomy. This echoed what I heard from Dr. Garg, Dr. Liang, and Dr. Lange (the Hopkins Doctor). He does not believe that plastic surgery will be necessary because, in time, the tissues and fluids around the breast will fill in. However, if I'm not satisfied, I can always schedule a follow-up.
As I was getting in the car to my next appointment, I received a call from Dr. Garg. He received the results of the CT Scan. Two spots were discovered; 1 on my left lung and 1 on my liver - approximately 1 cm each. He ordered another test, a Pet Scan. It is possible these spots are related to Valley Fever. I am confident the spot on my lung is related to Valley Fever because I have x-rays from 2002 which show the scarring from the disease. The liver was a surprise! Tomorrow I will receive a low dose of radioactive glucose before the scan. I should have these results in time for my follow-up with Dr. Garg on Wednesday, 3/30.
I attended my first support group meeting tooday. I found it very helpful and was surprised at the amount of resources available. I plan on taking advantage of these amazing counselors during the year. I was also educated on Lymphodemia. This is swelling which sometimes occurs after an auxilary node disection. Measurements were taken on both of my arms and I was provided with warnings/symptoms.
Before I left the Breast Center, I was given my surgery date: April 14.
It will be another busy week of appointments.
As I was getting in the car to my next appointment, I received a call from Dr. Garg. He received the results of the CT Scan. Two spots were discovered; 1 on my left lung and 1 on my liver - approximately 1 cm each. He ordered another test, a Pet Scan. It is possible these spots are related to Valley Fever. I am confident the spot on my lung is related to Valley Fever because I have x-rays from 2002 which show the scarring from the disease. The liver was a surprise! Tomorrow I will receive a low dose of radioactive glucose before the scan. I should have these results in time for my follow-up with Dr. Garg on Wednesday, 3/30.
I attended my first support group meeting tooday. I found it very helpful and was surprised at the amount of resources available. I plan on taking advantage of these amazing counselors during the year. I was also educated on Lymphodemia. This is swelling which sometimes occurs after an auxilary node disection. Measurements were taken on both of my arms and I was provided with warnings/symptoms.
Before I left the Breast Center, I was given my surgery date: April 14.
It will be another busy week of appointments.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
More Appointments
March 23: Pat and I met with the Oncologist, Dr. Garg. I am very anxious and it shows, my blood pressure is high and is normally very low. Before I continue with today's appointment, I need to rewind 9 years. In 2002, I was diagnosed with a disseminated case of Coccidiomycosis (Valley Fever). Pat and my mom asked me within a day of each other if this could be linked to Valley Fever. I was ready to dismiss this, but realized that there was no family history (mother or sisters) with known breast cancer, I should ask. I consulted with a Hopkins doctor (friend of my parents) and learned last weekend that there is a connection between having Valley Fever and developing breast cancer. It was my hope that Dr. Garg would understand Valley Fever and consider the impact with my treatment. Fortunately, Dr. Garg was a wealth of information. Because chemo surpresses your immune system and my system is already compromised, Dr. Garg is recommending anti-fungal medication which will start when Chemo Starts. We do not want these dormant spores triggered. Now the question...surgery first or chemo? Dr. Garg will consult with Dr. Liang and get back to me before we meet next Wednesday.
I received good news from this appointment. The receptor hormones are good which means that I should respond favorably to chemo. Additionally, the MRI shows the cancer had not spread beyond the left breast and lymph nodes.
Dr. Garg has ordered bloodwork and a CT scan.
March 24: Today is my second appointment at Hopkins. The rainy drive was a miserable 1 hour and 15 minutes. My appointment was at 9am and it took 1 hour for check-in. Between the processing of my insurance and who knows what else, the Administrator found it appropriate to eat her breakfast and take personal calls while helping me. I can feel my blood pressure rising... Which is the next stop. I am taken back to have my blood pressure checked and the nurse was having problems with the machine. She very diligently worked on trying to connect the pieces. After 10 minutes, I finally said, "this is a hospital, don't you have another one?" Her response, "on yeah". OMG! Blood pressure taken and it is high, go figure!
After the surgeon examined me, she reviewed the pathology reports, biopsies, and images (Mammogram, Ultrasound, and MRI). I did not offer any information from my past consultations. I really wanted her assessment. It was in line with the doctors at Anne Arundel Medical Center. I am very relieved and feel that my case will be handled brilliantly by my team of doctors.
March 25: Bloodwork and CT Scan completed....this was a piece of cake compared to the MRI. I received a call from Dr. Liang. She consulted with Dr. Garg and they both feel the safest option for my case is to perform surgery first. The next step is to meet with the Nurse Navigator to review surgery instructions (including the date). I hope to know this by next week.
Reality is setting in...ready or not! Let's just get moving. I have a lot of inner strength and pray I am not let down. I registered for the St. Petersburg marathon in January. It looks like I will have own marathon. Let's do it!
I received good news from this appointment. The receptor hormones are good which means that I should respond favorably to chemo. Additionally, the MRI shows the cancer had not spread beyond the left breast and lymph nodes.
Dr. Garg has ordered bloodwork and a CT scan.
March 24: Today is my second appointment at Hopkins. The rainy drive was a miserable 1 hour and 15 minutes. My appointment was at 9am and it took 1 hour for check-in. Between the processing of my insurance and who knows what else, the Administrator found it appropriate to eat her breakfast and take personal calls while helping me. I can feel my blood pressure rising... Which is the next stop. I am taken back to have my blood pressure checked and the nurse was having problems with the machine. She very diligently worked on trying to connect the pieces. After 10 minutes, I finally said, "this is a hospital, don't you have another one?" Her response, "on yeah". OMG! Blood pressure taken and it is high, go figure!
After the surgeon examined me, she reviewed the pathology reports, biopsies, and images (Mammogram, Ultrasound, and MRI). I did not offer any information from my past consultations. I really wanted her assessment. It was in line with the doctors at Anne Arundel Medical Center. I am very relieved and feel that my case will be handled brilliantly by my team of doctors.
March 25: Bloodwork and CT Scan completed....this was a piece of cake compared to the MRI. I received a call from Dr. Liang. She consulted with Dr. Garg and they both feel the safest option for my case is to perform surgery first. The next step is to meet with the Nurse Navigator to review surgery instructions (including the date). I hope to know this by next week.
Reality is setting in...ready or not! Let's just get moving. I have a lot of inner strength and pray I am not let down. I registered for the St. Petersburg marathon in January. It looks like I will have own marathon. Let's do it!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Biopsy Results- March 10
March 10: After 2 Mammograms, 1 Ultrasound, and several biopsies, the test results were delivered. I heard the words no one wants to hear, 'you have breast cancer'. I had to wait 5 long days after these words for my consultation at the Breast Center with Surgeon, Dr. Liang. Dr. Liang was very surprised that I found the lump myself. Word to the wise...a self exam may save your life. After 15 years of regular mammograms, this was not, I repeat NOT detected by the mammogram! The ultrasound picked up the 2" mass and the enlarged lymph nodes. The biopsy of the mass and lymph nodes confirmed that I have breast cancer, stage 2.
March 18: Pat and I broke the news to Michelle and Patrick. This was painfully difficult; it was, without a doubt, the hardest conversation we ever had. We are truly blessed with a supportive network of family and friends. We will all get through this, together!
March 21: For those who didn't already know, I am claustrophobic. My MRI is today. Now, I've had MRIs in the past and have been 'ok'. This one, however, was not as I expected. Besides, the IV which was in my arm, I had lay face down on the MRI table with my head in the face cradle and was moved backwards into the scanner. The last time I put my head in a face cradle I was relaxed...getting a massage. Well, there was nothing relaxing about this. My face was about 2" from the table and my heart was racing. I could not relax and felt the as though there was a lack of air moving. The nurse told me not to move or ring the bell she handed me unless it was absolutely necessary. Otherwise, the test would stop and could not be restarted. I survived the 30 minute scan even though I never found my "happy place" to relax; I was so glad it was over. By the way, the masseuse was at work the following day and I did get my massage.
March 23: Today Pat and I will meet with the Oncologist. Hopefully, my MRI results will be discussed and my treatment plan will be defined. More importantly, when will treatment begin.
Thanks to all my family and friends for the prayers and support! I appreciate all your calls, emails, cards and insprirational texts. Additionally, on Wednesday's my friends at Force 3 will wear pink to show their support for me. I invite everyone to do the same!
March 18: Pat and I broke the news to Michelle and Patrick. This was painfully difficult; it was, without a doubt, the hardest conversation we ever had. We are truly blessed with a supportive network of family and friends. We will all get through this, together!
March 21: For those who didn't already know, I am claustrophobic. My MRI is today. Now, I've had MRIs in the past and have been 'ok'. This one, however, was not as I expected. Besides, the IV which was in my arm, I had lay face down on the MRI table with my head in the face cradle and was moved backwards into the scanner. The last time I put my head in a face cradle I was relaxed...getting a massage. Well, there was nothing relaxing about this. My face was about 2" from the table and my heart was racing. I could not relax and felt the as though there was a lack of air moving. The nurse told me not to move or ring the bell she handed me unless it was absolutely necessary. Otherwise, the test would stop and could not be restarted. I survived the 30 minute scan even though I never found my "happy place" to relax; I was so glad it was over. By the way, the masseuse was at work the following day and I did get my massage.
March 23: Today Pat and I will meet with the Oncologist. Hopefully, my MRI results will be discussed and my treatment plan will be defined. More importantly, when will treatment begin.
Thanks to all my family and friends for the prayers and support! I appreciate all your calls, emails, cards and insprirational texts. Additionally, on Wednesday's my friends at Force 3 will wear pink to show their support for me. I invite everyone to do the same!
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