Good news...so why do I feel like I'm staring down the barrel of a loaded gun?

GOOD NEWS #breastcancer #cancer

 

Not even, simply, 'good' news but the best news one can hope for; Dr. Schmit called as Joe and I were on our way to Torrance to see Dr. McCann and informed me that my margins were clear and the lymph nodes were clear! He was very pleasant and it seemed he was a bit happy, too, at the news. He explained that the tumor was 1.6 cm and not the .5-6 mm we thought but that he took more margins than is required. He said that the margins were close but his margins were clear - completely. We had talked about this before surgery that his margins were always a little more and I am so happy he does that!! He said he, also, found 2 pre-cancerous ductal carcinomas. See, all the ultrasounds, mammograms, MRI's and they still aren't accurate. Dr. Schmit said this cancer (now defined as invasive ductal mucinous carcinoma) is fairly well behaved and that he is not quite sure why it came back her2. He's running the markers again. He said it's all clear to start radiation and chemo. He told me to see him on Monday before I see Dr. Demanes and to schedule an appointment for medical oncology. I am going to see Dr. Glaspy in Porter Ranch on Thursday. He wished me a good weekend and we hung up. I should be flying high right now, right? But my brain is thinking 'why is it her2'? Can it pop up elsewhere? If there were precancerous tumors undetected maybe the other breast has some too or maybe there are more in this breast?? I'm not 100 percent clear how radiation and chemo works, now, and how does it work to prevent cancer's return - or does it?? I think cancer's return depends more on what Dr. McCann finds. He turned out to be what we were hoping for - a practicing doctor using alternative treatments and testing for women's health. We will learn the true results of thyroid testing (t3 and t4), a complete hormone reading using the saliva testing and blood testing for mineral deficiencies as well as vitamin D - which he said was a result of a hormone deficiency. All the things Joe and I had connected to the body's breakdown as a result of Hashimoto's not being effectively treated is true and this is the doctor we needed to see to determine what needs fixing. I hope he can treat me as I go through radiation and chemo. Joe seemed completely satisfied with this doctor. He talked to him about iodine and hormones and the doctors he's read about. Dr. McCann answered all his questions and then some. We sat in traffic for 2 hours to get home but it was worth the trip.

 

Adam and Steve will go home tomorrow. I knew I couldn't keep them forever and I got to have them for longer than I thought I would be able to but, I sure hate to see them go. I'm so grateful for them and for their time. I am glad for the time they had with Natalia, too. It never seems like its enough.

 

I have a nasty head cold that I have been battling for 2 days now. Joe said its from stress - I'm inclined to believe that's true.

 

Not much pain at the incision sites today. The bruising looks more purplish but the pain is minimal. Ready for round 2.