The Second Opinion

 I had my appointment today for a second opinion on my cancer.  I spoke with an internalist and after looking at all my images came to the same conclusion.  Surgery is my only option if I want to survive.  My hope was for something other than surgery.  It appears I had false hope for a cure that was not as invasive as surgery.  This has really set me back emotionally and mentally.  I was looking for more of a holistic approach to curing this disease.  Not only did I find out surgery was my best and only option, I found out because of the genetic mutation I would also be prone to colon cancer.  Such devastating news for me. He also explained to me that if I went with the lumpectomy only, I would have too have a mammogram or MRI every six months.  He also confirmed for me that my surgeon was correct in how she was treating my cancer.

The question now is do I start all over again with all new testing and biopsies or continue with the original plan.  The outcome is ultimately the same.  If I want to survive, I need to proceed with the surgery.

I have really taken this news very hard.  It is so easy to fall into a deep depression.  This medical team has been very supportive.  They have suggested counseling and taking a deeper look at genetic testing to understand what it means.  So much is happening it is quite overwhelming.

This is taking an emotional toll on me.  I am glad my husband is so supportive and is really trying to understand what I feeling and experiencing.  It is a hard decision to make.  I know everyone going through cancer does not have the exact same experience or approach.  So it is hard to find people going through the same situation.  Why is it some people seem to get help faster than others?  Why does it seem as if others seem to connect more with each other?  I am thankful and grateful for a loving Father.

I am still looking toward my Father in heaven for healing and answers.  He has a purpose for my life and is not done with me yet.  So in the meantime, I will be patient and wait, listening for that still small voice.

Scarlett

Seeking Alternative Options

 Well it has been a difficult week again.  I am not sure again what to do.  I talked with a friend and she suggested getting a second opinion.  After asking for prayer at church and the prayers of those praying for me, I have decided to go for a second opinion.  I feel at peace with this, even though it will prolong any treatment I receive.

I had spoken with my surgeon and she did not offer any other solutions than surgery.  She was not very encouraging when it came to the MRI biopsy and waiting for the results of the tests.  The attitudes of the staff have seemed to  changed to an attitude of me being an annoyance at best.  Lets just get the surgery over and down with and move on. 

For whatever reason, I'm just not comfortable with going through with the surgery.  I need to find another option.  Maybe this is God letting me know to search for something else. I also have another friend who suggested I go with my gut feelings.

In the meantime. I feel as if the cancer is continuing to grow.  I can sense it growing as each day passes.  I have to admit, I am scared.  The thought of not seeing my great granddaughter grow into a young lady, my grandchildren starting lives of their own, traveling and seeing all the things God has created.  These are important things to me.  

I have made another appointment for a second opinion.  So far, I feel optimistic even though it is going to prolong my treatment.  I have already set up my appointments for the second opinion.  I have also set up my appointment for a consultation with the breast reconstruction surgeon.  Also, why didn't I begin some form of treatment before this thing grew to where it is today.  My hope and prayer is that the cancer hasn't manifested into something worse and can no longer be treated.

I am really working diligently to change my lifestyle habits and built my immune system.  I need to find a way to begin fighting this cancer.  I have begun being more active through physical exercise and changing my diet.  I do feel better overall, but I feel as if the cancer is still spreading.  In a way, I feel as if it is spreading like a wild fire!  Even through this I am also working on keeping my mind focused on God and my family.  

Scarlett

An Unclear Future

 

Well, today has been very frustrating.  My surgery has been postponed and I feel as if I am on a roller coaster ride, or the beginning of a nightmare.  

The results of the MRI have lead too more mammograms and ultra sounds.  I was supposed to go in for another biopsy, since the images showed another mass or spots on both breasts.  This has all occurred just one week before I was supposed to go in to have the seed placed.  One week before my surgery.  I couldn't even get an appointment for the biopsy until four weeks after my surgery date.  

My cancer team was able to find another facility for me to have the biopsy done and still have time to continue with the original surgery date. 

The evening prior to going to having the biopsy done, I received a call from the nurse about the possibility of them not being able to do the biopsy. They needed more clarification from my surgeon about the areas needed to be biopsied.  There were three areas on the left breast and one on the right.  They were hoping to get in touch with the surgeon before I arrived the next morning.  Since, we had not received a phone call we got ready and headed for the facility, which was a forty-five minute drive.

I checked in and waited.  Surprised, I was not ask for any information, asked to fill out any paperwork or prepay for services.  I was eventually called and taken to an office in the back.  This is where I was told they were not able to contact the doctor and would not be able to proceed with the procedure.

 Unfortunately, the radiologist did not feel comfortable with the results or conclusions of the radiologist of the original facility and needed a third opinion before proceeding with the biopsy.  It would be great if the results of the original were incorrect, right.  Now I need to wait to see what needs to be done next.  Do I still need the biopsy?  Should I just go with the mastectomy?  The path at this point is not very clear.  This was supposed to be a simple procedure.  Cut and dry...

After the consultation with the doctors. They suggested doing a MRI Biopsy. So they had to move the date of my surgery so they could do a MRI Biopsy.  Unfortunately, the surgery date would need to be moved again.  The only date available for the MRI Biopsy happened to be on the date of my next surgery.  I really don't want to have to postpone the surgery again.  The scheduler did not know how to even schedule the appointment and was concerned about them cancelling the MRI Biopsy again because the scheduling was not correct.  Plus, this procedure was going to take two days.  I called my doctors office to explain what was happening and was not able to talk with anyone.  Finally, the scheduler from my doctors office called me back and told me she would let me know more information Monday morning. Monday morning came and went, no response.  I called again and no response.  

Frustrated I am, yes indeed.

It is difficult to remain patient and calm, since I don't know if the cancer is even spreading or has spread.  Is this a super fast moving cancer?

Right now, I feel scared and unsure of the future.  I feel alone even though I know I am not walking through this alone.  My husband has been extremely supportive in every way imaginable.  I also know that God is working in this situation.

Now I have two appointments scheduled with two different facilities.  My life feels like its up in the air right now.

Scarlett

The beginning of an Unexpected Journey

 

Hi I'm Scarlett and I have decided to share my journey with breast cancer with you.  

I had put off going to the the doctor for a few years now.  I felt healthy and didn't want to waste time and money to go see a doctor that was only going to tell you that your problem was drinking to much soda or being fat.  

For some unknown reason this year was different.  I felt that I really needed to get a physical.  I had been struggling with weight gain for a couple of years now and was not able to lose the weight.  It didn't matter how much exercise I did or how little I ate.

When my husband went to the doctor for his injured leg, I made the decision to make an appointment to get my yearly physical.  After all, full physicals were covered 100% by our insurance.  Little did I know that this was going to be a series of many tests.

Everything was going as expected.  Everything was flowing smoothly.  All test came back ok except for the mammogram...

I had to go back for another series of images and more images at different angles, plus an ultra sound which came as complete surprise.  The ultra sound did not even reveal a lump or any other sign of cancer.  Although, the doctor was convinced there was a problem. So my next visit was for a biopsy.

I'm not even exactly sure how I felt at that point.  Praying everything would come back negative or that the cancer cell was benign. Praying and hoping that this wasn't happening.

The biopsy was not quite what I was expecting either.  Totally convinced by the medical team that the only thing which really hurt was lying down on the table.  

Yes, the table was uncomfortable.  I was given a local anesthesia to numb the area around my left breast.  Of course, I was fully awake and unable to see the procedure. Not that I really wanted to anyway.  All I could hear was the sound of the machine.  Which did sort of sound like a sewing machine drilling into my breast with a needle scraping tissue to be examined.

Then the moment of truth.  On Friday, June 13th I received the news.  My doctor call and told me I had invasive ductal carcinoma.  The report was urgent and I needed to see an oncologist.  I was scared because I didn't know how severe or what type of breast cancer I had.

This whole process has been so overwhelming.  All the consultations and appointments.  I don't know what to think or what to feel.

Scarlett