Anna vs. Breast Cancer, Round 1: Fight!

[annathepiper]

Went in today for the biopsy followup with Dr. Towbin, so that he could check and see how I'm healing and fill me in on what exactly the biopsy results mean.

He gave me a copy of the pathology report, which uses the already-mentioned term DCIS as well as "negative for invasive carcinoma". The parts that make one go "um" are the parts that indicate that this thing is starting to solidify, that it's growing quickly, and that at this time it is on the large side. Which pretty much means "okay, let's get this dealt with NOW". Kill it before it breeds, nuke the site from orbit (it's the only way to be sure), etc.

Dr. Towbin expressed a concern that due to the size of this thing, there's a possibility of other lumps in there--hence, we need an MRI to figure out exactly what we're dealing with and how the surgery will go. I now have an MRI scheduled for Wednesday the 3rd at fuckoff-early in the morning, and appointments with a medical and a radiation oncologist on Thursday and Friday, the 4th and the 5th. Then there will be another followup appointment with the surgeon, on the 8th, to deal with the results of the MRI and presumably schedule some surgery.

The scheduling nurse gave me a pink bag full of stuff that they apparently give to new breast cancer patients, which was kind of nice. There's a pink bracelet/anklet somebody made, a packet of orange spice tea (which I think I shall drink after I make this post), a packet of peppermints, a book called Breast Cancer Made Simple, a small pillow, a notepad, and a boatload of other informational booklets and flyers about support groups and the like.

I have updated my boss and her boss about the situation and they're being very supportive; hopefully this will only be a short-term massive disturbance to my work schedule. But we'll have to see how it goes.

Also updated my GP doctor so she's in the loop, and have had to reschedule my followup with my endoc as well; I was previously scheduled to see him on the 4th, the same day I'm now going to be seeing the medical oncologist, and I'd rather not drive all over the area to deal with a bunch of medical things on one day if I can avoid it. So. Hopefully I won't have to reschedule the reschedule, but much will depend on when Dr. Towbin goes in for the search-and-destroy mission.

Comments

[cruisedirector]

*hugs* Meant to respond to your last post but kids and stuff got in the way. My mother had in situ carcinoma, lumpectomy and radiation 15 years ago. She has been *knocks wood* cancer free since, had no side effects from the treatment and very little discomfort. Am praying for the same for you.

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

::HUGS::

Wishing you all the best and sending TONS of good energy.

[prettyshrub.livejournal.com]

Cancer sucks, as several of my friends can attest. I'm glad you are moving on this and hopefully it will be a quick and decisive battle.

On the up side, you can trump most people when the conversation turns to medical complaints.

My advice, massive amounts of Great Big Sea with some filk thrown in for good measure.

*HUGS* *MOJO*

Linda

[eveshka.livejournal.com]

*snugs*

I'll light a -pink- candle for you, too. Just to be doubly safe.

Tell Dara to give you a hug from me, k?

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

Oh, HELLYEAH, you got Mike Towbin? Best cutter EVAR. Nice guy, too. (That's who did mine.) There are a whole bunch of medical personnel walking around this town who, when they had to have something done, went to him... and word gets around. Sweetness. I was hoping you'd get him.

I assume that means you'll be going to Evergreen for the procedure....

[spunbutterfly.livejournal.com]

*hug* ._. I think I must've missed your other post, but good luck.

[janne.livejournal.com]

Sounds like things are moving as fast as they can. Many hugs and good wishes!

[ssha.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to offer a big ol' *HUG* and some heartfelt prayers. We've had a couple of scares with my mom and dad in the past. My dad just had his prostate removed this past year due to cancer. Not to mention the thyroid cancer he had in his 20s which required the removal of most of said thyroid. My mom had a hysterectomy due to precancerous lesions just before Christmas one year when I was a kid, too. This is all above and beyond all of the extended relatives who have dealt with this nasty little shitfaced buggering soandso.

So, in short, love and hugs and prayers and God's healing coming your way posthaste, madame!

[darthhellokitty.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you have the right people doing the right things! It's great that you're moving ahead quickly. We'll be thinking about you all the time!!!

[annathepiper]

Yeah, this is something I just found out about yesterday. Brand new news. Thanks much. *hugs*

[elfs.livejournal.com]

Holy crap, Anna!

Why does stuff like this always seem to happen to the good people? Indeed, find that sucker, take it out, and put a stake through its heart.

And then you get well, ne?

[annathepiper]

Thanks much, babe. I'm still damn well in on seeing Russell and Christian being all sexy and Old-West-y at each other tomorrow.

And yeah, I seem to be in good hands. That helps.

[annathepiper]

Thanks very much, hon. *snugs*

[raise-a-jar.livejournal.com]

So glad to hear that they're moving in on this so immediately! Best of luck with all the coming appointments and what-not. Will be thinking about you.

~snugs~

[blargh.livejournal.com]

Eeep!

Well, as you know, I'm a firm believer in the "nuke them from orbit" strategy, and sincerely hope that things go well for you in that department.

The release of tactical nuclear weapons is hereby authorized...

along with @nuke, @kill, @toad...

Wait...

@toad?

...

[firni.livejournal.com]

You know me... my main issue would be the waiting. "What, more tests? JUST GET IT OUT OF ME NOW, THANKS! You can run your bloody tests AFTER YOU GET IT OUT OF ME, NOW NOW NOW RIGHT FUCKING NOW."

[flashfire.livejournal.com]

That sounds promising.

[flashfire.livejournal.com]

Toads croak, don't they?

No croaking, Anna!

[boxer-ferret.livejournal.com]

I saw you other mention of a biopsy, but didn't know it was something so serious. *hugs* Sounds like you're already on the right path so hold on to that positive attitude!

[annathepiper]

Yeah, I only just found out yesterday that this is a much bigger pain in the ass than I'd hoped for. So.

*hugs* Thanks, and yeah, I damn well mean to kick this thing in the ass. But hugs are good for making sure that happens. :)

[annathepiper]

Seriously. They started asking me what days would be better than others for scheduling these followup appointments, and I told 'em under the circumstances, ASAP is what I wanted.

[annathepiper]

*hugs back* Thanks, and thanks for sharing your mother's experiences. Every little positive story like that helps.

[annathepiper]

*hugs back* Thank you very much.

[annathepiper]

Most, indeed, though not all! Like, for example, this. I can't beat that!

But yeah. There will be quite a bit of Great Big Sea in my immediate future. There are reasons that "Ordinary Day" is the theme song of this journal. I will be invoking them.

Also, solarbird and I are going to go jam at technoshaman's place on Sunday. Which will be Good.

[annathepiper]

A pink candle sounds wonderful. Thanks.

And I will. *snugs*