Surgery Update

This morning I had a consultation with my surgeon. Because of much smaller size of the tumor, we were prepared for a lumpectomy and had been advised that this course of action would be perfect for us. Luke and I were content and at peace with that decision. However, I received new today that is changing our plan. The mammogram done a few weeks ago showed numerous calcium deposits. These have most likely been around a while and just hidden by the tumor. The deposits are cancerous but not invasive (confined in my ducts) - yet. They measure about 7 cm, so with the tumor and deposits, about half of my left breast is made of up cancer cells. My surgeon said that without a mastectomy, I'm a 'ticking time bomb' and no surgeon on the planet would agree to do only a lumpectomy. Soooooooo.. in approx 4 weeks, I'll be having a left breast mastectomy. I'm still in a lot of shock and very upset by this news. I think I'm in some denial as well at this point. We're shooting to have surgery on Oct 29 or 30 and I'm looking at about a 3 week recovery time. Reconstruction will be about 6 months after this inital surgery. Other than that, I know nothing yet about the reconstruction course we'll be taking. One step at a time. Someone will be calling me Thursday or Friday to schedule the mastectomy.

Also, I'll be talking with my oncologist tomorrow before chemo (only 2 more treatments to go - done Oct 15!!) about being tested for the breast cancer gene. If I test positive, I've been advised to have a right breast mastectomy as well, though we may or may not do that at the same time as the left side for various reasons. If I do not have it, we'll leave the right breast alone. I'll get more into that if I test positive and once I know more about it.

Please keep the thoughts and prayers coming through the remainder of this exhausting, stressful and emotional experience.

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