Cancer Update

Cancer is difficult.

The day after my post-op visit to my Dr., she calls me to let me know the results of the "conference" (review) of my case by peers. I am going to be taking Tamoxifen (hormone blocking therapy) for 5 years. She also said that the consensus of the conference, which included my Radiation Oncologist, is that she did not take enough tissue, did not get a big enough margin around the cancer. My Dr took less than a 1 mm margin. She felt she took enough, but the "conference" wanted more taken. She asked me, "How do you feel about that?" WOW. Do I want more surgery or take a chance with radiation only? At this stage of the game, I don't want to leave anything to chance. More surgery.

Surgery was scheduled for Monday Mar 8 at 3pm.

{UPDATE}

After posting the above, my surgeon called to let me know the lab results. During our conversation, she said as she was taking out the extra tissue on the lower side of the tumor site, she saw another lump, about 5mm in size. She took that out along with margins. The lab results show that the newest lump is also stage 0 cancer. My question, "How many more lumps are there?" My surgeon feels that with radiation and hormone therapy, everything should be fine. BUT if in 5 years or so another lump is found then I would have to have a mastectomy. Reconstruction would be difficult because of the radiation. (Makes the skin less stretchy)

What to do?

I am going to get a second opinion in Seattle.

Another birthday!!

Emily decided she needed to have another birthday. She liked being 10, but wanted really bad to be 11. So, on Mar 3rd she had a birthday. I am not sure how I feel about having an 11 year old in my house. Emily is growing up way too fast! As tradition goes in our family, Emily decided she wanted to go to Moose's Tooth Pizza for dinner. Great Food!!!!! The boys did not go, which made Emily happy! She had her parents all to herself....what better birthday present than that!