Booblog #4 January 13, 2023
Hello friends. I am writing, although Friday the 13th is an inauspicious time perhaps. But – today is what I have. It’s been an interesting week of pushing the system. The unknowing was bothersome. I did meet with an oncologist – a medical oncologist, not a radiation oncologist. (Still not sure about those distinctions)
But – it is all set . I am responding, though not with glee, and got immediately queasy, but I seriously want this to get finished. It turns out that they don’t do a lot of the more extreme measures that they might if I was 40 years old. There are floating micro-cells of cancer that they would only get with a first dose of chemo. Given my dotage, they will do the surgery first. That is scheduled next Thursday, early in the morning.
I did learn some interesting stuff. Did you know that an MRI can essentially only do one thing at a time? I had a different sense of that power being more flexible. But it cannot, for example do both sides. ( LOIS AND RHODA, Kelley named them, thus giving them a sisterhood that I think is rather tender) Then, focusing on one side, (Lois) the MRI biopsy could only do one of the spots of concern within Lois, and they rightly chose the most apparent problem. We have gotten back the results and they are negative for a malignancy ( drum roll here) so surgeon is planning on things being done surgically first. BTW It is weird to hear the little whirring sound as they roto root to pull tissue out to where they can look at it under a scope, stain it, etc…
Here, for example, are the words that tell me the second site wasn’t malignant… don’t gross out (dense stroma, apocrine/columnar cell metaplasia, adenosis, mild usual ductal hyperplasia, mild duct ectasia, and possible vague papillomas. Scattered microcalcifications are also present., and sclerotic lesions)
The song playing is “I’ve got you, under my skin, I’ve got you, deep in the heart of me, so deep in my heart that you’re really a part of me. Yes, I‘ve got you, under my skin.
“Sing it Frankie, or Tony, or Kermit.
Next week will be a busy one, with pre-op visit Tuesday with nurse Dana where I expect to get lots of information on the grand scheme of things, then the next day Wednesday they will place some thing ( A SAVY) into the actual breast so they can track it at surgery the next day. I suspect that ignorance is also a friend, but I just have to know what medecines do, what the names are of things and what to expect, and how much later I have to start all of the horrible drugs..
The meds really are awful, too – lots of side effects that are frightening to me, who is a more natural and organic sort. But, they, the oncologists, tell me I need to do this. And I will – truth is I’m not ready yet to leave, if given the choice, – I’ve got stuff to do. It would really be acceptable if the side effect of all those meds was to lose weight, and grow luxurious hair, regain flexibility, and look like a line dancer, or someone like that. Sigh
So, thanks for walking with me, my friends- you have been wonderful to me, and your prayers and support are fabulous. I am so blessed by family and friends my heart is really full. Till later. Be well yourselves.
Judy