Tuesday, June 19, 2012

More Good News


Here is what I know:
Cancer is less than 2 centimeters and they are thinking Stage One.
I will be having a lumpectomy, where they remove the cancer and some of the healthy tissue around it. They will also remove some of the sentinel lymph nodes. If they radiate them before the surgery, they do not have to remove as many. 
Surgery is scheduled for 9:50 am, Friday, June 22nd at Mercy Hospital. This will be in the Day Surgery, so it’s out-patient. I’ll be home that afternoon and able to return to some activity in two to three days.
Afterwards, I will have to have both radiation and chemotherapy, but only one at a time.
The chemo treatments will last 6 months. Side effects = hair loss and fatigue.
The chemo oncologist I will likely see will be Dr. Aleda Toma.
I will know more when Dr. Talbert gets the pathology report.
No reconstruction surgery.

Here’s what I do NOT know:
What kind of radiation or in what order (chemo or radiation first) – we will have to wait for the pathology report (2-3 days after surgery) to find out.
I don’t know the name of the radiation oncologist.
I don’t know when the treatments will begin – soon I think.

Here’s what I’m looking forward to:
Scarves and hats! I’ve always wanted to wear them, but … didn’t think I was cool enough. I think a little cancer makes me cool enough.

Here’s what I’m thankful for:
You and your prayers, mantras, and postive thoughts. J  Life is good!

4 comments:

  1. Shelly,
    I am relieved to hear that your surgery will be simple and done in a day. Not so happy that you have to do the chemo and radiation, but we do want the stuff GONE! I am so proud of the way you are handling all this with such grace. You will continue to be in my prayers.

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  2. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Shelly. My mom has chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and her oncologist is Dr. Toma. They were actually classmates in high school! Small world!

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  3. This is good news. We're all with you. You're going to be beautiful in your scarves and hats. You shine like the sun at all times. Love you!!

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  4. Shelly, you are in my thoughts and prayers every day and if anyone is cool enough to pull off scarves and hats it will be you! I am sending hugs and positive thoughts your way sweet lady and even though we haven't been in touch for a while, love and friendship last forever!

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