It's hard to imagine last Thursday was only a week ago. Feels like a month. After what seemed like an eternity of waiting (thanks to all who assisted in my keep busy with normal stuff plan) I met some amazing kindness and more clarity at my appointment this morning. I was in there for around 2 hours, which speaks to a process and approach that is one for the rest of health care to be enivious of. Mom and Tasha (friend and breast cancer alumnus) attended for support and to help retain the information.
I met a gentle, kind and intelligent surgeon Dr. Graham, who I now feel is a critical part of my new team. Hard to describe, but despite his realistic role as a surgeon, the way he speaks and just is, brings comfort to me. After consideration and examination, we discussed options and risks, some of which are unique to me given my significantly complicated history and from having receivied extensive treatment for leukemia, I will move forward with a bi-lateral masectomy sometime in the next month, performed by Dr. Graham at the Rockyview hospital. During surgery, they will test and if necessary remove sentinel lymphnodes. I will also have reconstructive surgery, but whether it is done at the same time as the masectomy or later will be determined based on availability of plastic surgeons and timing options. My primary focus is getting the cancer out soon - I was reassured however that unlike acute leukemia, breast cancer cells do not spread so quickly that waiting a month will change the plan or prognosis.
After that it all depends on the pathology report to know what stage, if it has spread and what next steps are suggested and/or available. Another key part of my new team, my nurse navigator Edith, explained to me all the details involved with the surgery and a few dozen other things including all kinds of information and phone numbers I am able to call when I have questions over the next while. She's also amazing. I should hear within a week about a surgery date.
So more waiting...but unlike last week, I now feel very confident that along with my army of people providing love and support 24/7 (which I am so thankful for and truly feel the benefit of), I have a medical team who are totally capable, and really want to do whatever is possible to make this the last chapter of my cancer story so I can continue on with creating more life stories. Thanks everyone.
