MRI Biopsy rescheduled, consult with the plastic surgeon and testing for the BRCA genes

Well, Jason and I spent a good portion of our day at KU hospital/cancer center again yesterday. We met with the plastic surgeon, Dr. Punnuru. I really liked him. Made me feel very comfortable and did not rush us.. Let us ask lots of questions. Very nice man with 3 girls of his own. We decided on the expander reconstruction because it is a shorter surgery and much less time in the hospital. The draw back is that it is a long process....about a year of followups and a second surgery for the permanent implants.
Meanwhile, we received the results from the biopsy done on Tuesday. This biopsy was on the same breast (right breast) 4 cm away from the first spot they diagnosed with DCIS cancer, but much deaper, closer to the chest wall. Guess that is why it hurt so much! The new biopsy also showed DCIS cancer. This means it would be virtually impossible to do a lumpectomy because of the amount they would have to remove to make sure they get all the cancer. Also, a lumpectomy would require radiation and the mastectomy does not. The doctor also said that the recurrence rate with a lumpectomy is much higher.
The MRI guided biopsy on the left breast which was originally scheduled last Tuesday has been rescheduled for the 8th of November. Hoping it is the last biopsy I have to go through.
After we met with the plastic surgeon, we met with a genetics doctor who took a sample of my DNA via a throat swab and it is being sent to the only lab in the U.S.  that does this type of genetic testing, to see if I carry any of the BRCA genes. This is important to know because if I do have this gene...I would also be at a much higher risk for ovarian cancer and it would also put my sister and my brother's and sister's daughters at a greater risk of getting breast cancer some day. Hopefully the test will be negative.

HANGING IN THERE :)

November 2011

FRUSTRATION~ CANCER SUCKS!

Jason drove me back to KU Cancer Center yesterday for two biopsies. A stereotactic biopsy on the right breast (which they have already done a biopsy on and found cancer) because of some more microcalcifcations that they found when they did the MRI and an MRI guided biopsy on the left breast because of a mass they saw when they did the MRI.  I asked the doctor who was going to perform the biopsy if he thought these microcalcifications on the right breast  were cancer and his reply was yes. He did not think the mass on the left breast was cancer though  :(     Why then, do I have to go through these procedures if you already know it is cancer or not???  Well, they did the first procedure and supposedly gave me 4 times the normal amount of lidocaine . I thought everything seemed to be going as smooth as the first biopsy done several weeks ago....then all of the sudden I felt something that felt similar to what I assume a nail gun would feel like when it penetrates your skin. It hurt so bad I cried. The doctor asked me what I would rate my pain on a scale of 0 to 10.... I am thinking 25!  It scared me ...but I did make it through this biopsy.....They took me then, to wrap it up and on to the MRI guided biopsy. I laid down on the bed to do it and the right breast proceeded to bleed.... The doctor came in and I told him I needed a Valium to get through this procedure. He said that he thought I had already been through enough that day and we should just reschedule. With the right breast hurting terribly I just agreed....but I remain frustrated with the doctors and myself.....because I need to get all of this pre-surgery stuff done.... I worry that the longer we wait....the more time this cancer has to spread. The first biopsy should not have hurt so bad! God I am sick of this ......I HATE CANCER! There are mornings when Jason has gone to work and the kids have gone to school when I just cry it out... I am glad I have this time alone.....that way I can try to be so brave in front of the kids.

Thanks for everyone's continued support and keep the prayers coming... GOD GIVE ME STRENGTH!

More pokes~

Headed to KU Tuesday for 2 separate biopsies. One on my right breast and one on my left breast. The right breast already has been diagnosed with cancer. So...I am having a stereotactic biopsy on my right and an MRI guided biopsy on my left because of what they found when they did the MRI last week. Both involve being numbed with lidocaine and the MRI biopsy requires and IV to administer dye for the images. This is only the beginning. :(

Martina McBride - I'm Gonna Love You Through It

Upcoming Appointments~

November 1st at 2pm - Stereotactic biopsy on right breast - KU Cancer Center
November 3rd at 11am - Dr. Punnuru, plastic surgeon - KU Hospital - Sutherland Building
November 3rd at 1pm - Genetic test for the BRCA genes - KU Cancer Center
November 8th at 3pm - MRI guided biopsy on left breast - KU Cancer Center
November 15th at 10am - Dr. Mcginness, breast surgeon - KU Cancer Center
November 15th at 12:00 pm - Pre-anesthesia testing - KU Main Hospital


Hopefully...surgery in NOVEMBER.

My trip to the dermatologist~

I returned for my 6 week check up with the dermatologist regarding my cancerous mole. They removed it 6 weeks ago from my right shoulder and told me it was basal cell carcinoma. Today he said the final pathology report said it was actually squamous cell. Squamous cell carcinoma is more aggressive, more likely to spread and more likely to reoccur than basal cell. The good news is that I had clear margins! But, now I have to go back to be checked every 6 months for the rest of my life. LOL

MRI Results..... GOOD NEWS AND SOME BAD BUT THANK GOD FOR THE GOOD NEWS~

I received a call from the nurse at my surgeon's office last night about 7pm.  She told me what the MRI showed. SO......the GOOD NEWS IS..... according to the images.....this cancer has NOT spread to my lymph nodes. THANK YOU GOD! Now....the bad news is.....I have to have 2 more biopsies that are scheduled for November 1st. The first biopsy (stereotactic, like the first biopsy) will look at the other spot of microcalcifications ( there is a good chance this is cancer) that they found on the previous images which also showed up on the MRI located on the right side of my right breast. The original biopsy which was cancerous in all 11 sections was on the left side of my right breast.  The second biopsy (MRI guided) will look at a spot the MRI found on my left breast. This spot is NOT a microcalcification and the nurse said it could be anything....they just want to look at it to find out what it is. So....I am taking it one day at a time and very thankful for at least SOME positive news. Keep the prayers and positive thoughts coming! :)