This Princess Has A Pea
Posts tagged Radiation
Surgery Scheduled
Mar 10th
Just the Facts: My surgery will be on April 6 at Carolinas Medical Center. It is scheduled for 10:30am and I have to be there by 8:30am. I am so excited to have it scheduled!
Details: I’m kind of shocked that this actually happened today. I was expecting to have to wait until at least next week to get this done, but apparently my surgeon and his team got this pushed through. We meet with my surgeon again next Tuesday and the plastic surgeon on Thursday.
I spoke with my surgeon on the phone today. He is proving himself to be even more amazing than I expected, as he has now called me twice to touch base and make sure I didn’t have any questions or issues. I did ask him today whether or not I should speak with a radiology doctor and/or oncologist now. His answer was no, on both counts. He feels that radiology will probably not be needed at all and that oncology would have nothing to offer until the tumors can be studied after surgery. He did suggest a couple of names of oncologists who I can consider for later.
Late this afternoon I received a call from the hospital to set up my pre-admission appointment. That will be on March 29.
Prayer Request: Please pray that my lymph nodes prove to be clear and that the cancer has not spread. We do not believe that it has, but I continue to have that concern come to mind. Pray for my children, Olivia and Mitchell – that they would have peace about the surgery. Please give thanks and praise for my strong marriage and wonderful husband, Tracy. Our 20th anniversary is March 31. 
Thank you SO much for your comments, thoughts, support and prayers. It makes a HUGE difference!!
Decided on a Surgeon
Mar 9th
Just the Facts: We have decided on which surgeon we want to use for my mastectomy surgery. It came down to which one we related to better and had the most faith in. We received many glowing recommendations from friends, neighbors and other medical professionals about the doctor we chose, and through his behavior and treatment of us, he earned our trust as well. I am relieved to have this decision behind me!
Details: Yesterday was a crazy roller coaster ride. I heard two opposing opinions about where I stand with my care and future treatment. In reality, the actual treatment isn’t the issue at this point. That will all unfold as we go forward. The important thing is that we choose a doctor we trust. That is what our decision boiled down to.
Me: Weary but relieved. I made the calls to let the surgeons know the situation and am now looking to the future. Taking a deep breath, ready to take this on, whatever it entails.
What’s Coming Up: Not much more this week, as far as I know. Next week we meet with the surgeon again to touch base and we meet with the plastic surgeon as well. Appointments with radiation and oncology will be set up. Surgery will be scheduled in the next day or two – to happen late March or early April. It will be at Carolinas Medical Center.
Prayer Request: Peace for me (and Tracy and Olivia & Mitchell). My head is still spinning just a little bit. 
And Just Like That – It Changes
Mar 8th
Just the Facts: I heard from Dr. A, one of the surgeons I am considering, early this evening. He had some different opinions on how things look currently and urged me to see a radiation doctor and oncologist now, and to consider a few different approaches. We will schedule these appointments ASAP. I am confused but will seek answers and clarification.
Details: The day began with a call from Dr. B, the surgeon I met with Friday. He had looked at my mammograms and MRIs this morning and wanted to call to give me his thoughts after having viewed them. His opinion was to proceed with meeting with the plastic surgeon and to schedule surgery as soon as I choose my surgeon. Dr. B has about a 3-week wait. He told me that based on the images, mastectomy was not just an option, it was my only option because of the numerous tumors in the right breast. He still felt confident that plastic surgery was acceptable at the time of the mastectomy, and did not mention a potential need for radiation.
This evening, I received a call from Dr. A, the first surgeon I met with. He has been out of town for several days and was just catching up with my case. He shared it with his colleague(s) in a meeting this morning and they all offered their input. He believes I should meet with a radiation doctor to discuss the potential of radiation therapy. The doctors agreed in their discussion that it probably wouldn’t be recommended. But in light of the fact that there are so many tumors, it may be recommended. Dr. A also wants me to meet with an oncologist now. He seemed pretty certain that chemo would be called for. He mentioned the possibility that I may want to hold off on the plastic surgery at this point, because chemo and/or radiation would need to come first. He even mentioned that they might prefer to do a unilateral mastectomy temporarily, until chemo was done. Then I would follow that with mastectomy on the left side and plastic surgery. Dr. A will have his assistant contact me to schedule these appointments, and also set up a face-to-face meeting with him, to go over all of this in person.
Me: Very confused. I am not sure how one doctor could call it a likely Stage 1 and be ready for plastic surgery while the other doctor is at the opposite end of the spectrum, seeing chemo and maybe even radiation in my future, and recommending a different surgery and waiting before plastic surgery. I know one thing - this whole thing is an awful lot like a roller coaster ride.
My gut instinct is that the reality of how this will happen is somewhere in the middle – not quite as good as it looked Friday and not as bad as Dr. A suggested it might be. Nevertheless, whatever surgeries and treatments we finally decide upon, I am unwavering in my hope and confidence. I will get through whatever they throw at me. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Phil 4:13
Prayer Requests: Please pray for wisdom for Tracy and me as we choose a surgeon. Pray for our continued peace through all of this. Pray that my cancer would not grow as we go through the process of doctor appointments and discussions and wait times for surgery. Pray for my completely restored health. Thank you.