MRI Results & Current Game Plan

Maybe I should just "cut and paste" from my previous surgical follow-ups. Yes, that is a tad bit of sarcasm & frustration you're detecting.

Seriously, the news I received toady, like every other time it seems, was not BAD, it just wasn't great. From what I understand at this point, the MRI showed the remaining cancer to be localized, so the next (yes, that would be the 3rd!) surgery was scheduled for the 6th of March, and they should be able to get all the cancer out at that time. Hmm......isn't that what the last one was supposed to do? Isn't that what the first one should have done? Maybe the third time will be charm.

The MRI also detected "something" notable on the right breast which will be monitored by a follow-up MRI in 6 months. It's possible that it's just scar tissue from a previous surgery but, quite honestly, they weren't initially concerned about this cancerous lump that has now required 3 surgeries, so I am a little unsure what that means. I plan to follow up for more specifics. A comforting bit of knowledge that I have acquired since this all began a few months ago is that breast cancer is a slow growing cancer so if it didn't identify itself on an MRI then it is most likely safe to wait and see.

I have also contacted John's Hopkins for a second opinion. They were mentioned during a support group meeting I attended last week with my "niece-in-law" Chrissy. Chrissy was diagnosed a little over a year ago with breast cancer and has proven to be a true survivor in many ways. She has also been a true blessing and support to me - so thanks Chrissy! ;0) Anyway, the second opinion isn't because I don't have confidence in my medical team at Walter Reed but as we all know, I am NOT the typical girl and hence my breast cancer has not been the typical case! I just want to be sure that I am making the wisest, most informed decisions possible. The weight placed on the shoulder's of anyone having to make decisions now will literally affect your life significantly in one way or another is immeasurable, and somewhat indescribable. It's scary to think of the lifelong consequences of a wrong or misinformed decision.

As of now I am scheduled for the lumpectomy in March and it will be much easier than my last, since no lymph nodes will have to be taken. Unfortunately you can only be a "lab-rat" once with some of the clinical trials, to include the numbing catheter that I had placed in my neck last time. That stuff REALLY kept the incision sites numb for the first week. I guess now I will truly be able to compare how effective it was.

They squeezed me in for pre-op today so I won't have to make another trek up here to Walter Reed and the wait time has given me the opportunity to work on this post as well as add some from days gone by. I'm enjoying the blog. It's been good for me. I hope you've found it useful in some way also.

"Ta-Ta" for now! :0)