More decisions, More appointments & Sophie

Today was our follow-up with the breast cancer surgeon.  We were able to discuss the pathology report and start formulating a plan.  We are now making appointments with an oncologist, a radiation oncologist and a lymphoedema specialist. Final decisions still need to be made but the following is what was discussed.

There was a single cell found outside of the lymph nodes thus the referral to a radiation oncologist.  The feeling is Vonnie may need radiation of the axillary region where the lymph nodes were removed.   The hope is that this won’t be necessary since that greatly increases the risk of lymphoedema which is already a problem because of the extensive removal of her lymph nodes.  The referral to the lymphoedema specialist is also because she is already at great risk for lymphoedema.  Lymphoedema will cause great swelling in the arm and if left untreated, lymphoedema will often lead to a painful, swollen and debilitated limb.  This condition leaves the patient at risk for infection which can develop into severe complications. This is definitely something we want to avoid.

The results of the surgery were discussed.  The surgeon is positive that she got every thing in the right breast and there is no need for further concern in that area.  The left breast showed Grade 3 ductal carcinoma in situ which is a precancerous condition.  The tumor that was removed was cancerous but contained. She will most likely need to undergo a second mastectomy of the left breast with sentinel lymph node biopsy.  What needs to be determined is the timing of that surgery which leads us to the third referral – the oncologist.

Yes there will be chemotherapy.  As depressing as that is we did expected it since the lymph nodes were involved.  We can’t take a chance that some cells got loose somewhere else in the body.  This will be every three weeks for around 4 & ½ months.  She will also need to undergo Herceptin every three weeks for one year.  We don’t know yet how the scheduling will work with the two therapies.

So there we have it.  Decisions still need to be made but we have a good idea of what we are facing now.  Bald and Beautiful!  We decided to make a stop on the way home at a store called “Women’s Health Boutique”. We walked in to look around and came out with a wig!  They had one that looks very much like her own hair (color and style) and we discovered that our insurance paid for it 100%.  It even came with a name… Sophie. 

Len