MRI results

I woke up this morning to an email saying that my MRI results were in my online medical record. If I'm reading them correctly, it looks good. The only suspicious area is the one we already know of, and it appears to be really small - 2x3x5 mm. This is great news. If I also don't have anything in my lymph nodes I may be able to avoid chemo. Wouldn't that be great!

MRI Spa Experience

I've had 2 other MRIs, but neither were quite like this. First the non-spa experience of getting an IV for contrast dye. But then, lying face down in one of those face cushions just like a massage table, with a warm blanket placed over me...ahhh. Kinda weird to have my girls hanging down in this little contraption made for that purpose, but otherwise, super comfortable. Lots of noise, but really it wasn't bad and started to remind me of dance party music. I almost fell asleep.

The technician said the radiologist would read it today, but I didn't get any information. So we wait.

I also talked to this woman who has an amazing job as a nurse navigator for breast cancer patients. She's based at the hospital, but will help you even if you aren't using that hospital. Tons of resources, including help with finances, bill negotiations, transportation, and much more. Apparently the hospital also has a library that I can use that is stocked with books on breast cancer-related topics, including self-help coping stuff. I'll definitely be utilizing that resource. She pointed me to the NCCN standards of care, which are used across the country for determining treatment for breast cancer. I asked about the need for 2nd opinions, and she said that in most cases when a patient has done that, they come back with the same answer, because of NCCN. However, if I had something complicated or rare, then a 2nd opinion might be good. Thankfully I don't fall into that category.

Always learning!

3 days in

I got the results of my biopsy on Tuesday. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. This was the 3rd biopsy that I've had in my life, due to my tricky, dense breasts, so I tried to stay calm while not being very calm on the inside. 3rd time's a charm, I guess.

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma means that the cancer started in the milk ducts (years of breastfeeding apparently didn't help). Invasive just means it has left the ducts and is in other breast tissue. It's the most common (I prefer the word popular) kind of breast cancer.

Initial pathology looks good. Grade 1 (slow growing and cells don't look too abnormal). Estrogen and Progesterone positive - meaning there are drugs I can take to block the hormone receptors and prevent it from coming back. HER2-negative - looks like that means it's less likely to be aggressive or return.

Size is difficult to determine.  Apparently when you have fast growing cells, it leaves behind tiny little groups of calcium deposits. That's what they can see on the mammogram. They can't see the actual cancer. So that part is still up in the air. MRI tomorrow should tell me more.

Last year's mammogram didn't show anything, so that's good.

Current plans are to move forward assuming it's as small as it looks in the mammogram. I'll know if that has to change by the first week of January. If that assumption fits, it will be a lumpectomy on January 11, along with testing a few lymph nodes to see if it has spread. 6-7 weeks of radiation will follow. Probably 4-6 months of chemo, but that depends on a lot of things.

MRI in the morning and then time to put this shit on the back burner while I celebrate the holidays.