Brat
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
A few of you are aware of this saga and I am willing to share more than many want to hear. As you read this keep in mind that my 71st birthday is only a couple weeks away.
After many years of boring mammograms I developed a rather cavalier attitude but it was a change from my previous mammogram that really caused concern. Lesson 1: tolerate pressed breasts, but whining is ok. Lesson 2: if you change health care providers ask for your records to be provided to the new team.
Biopsy results were early stage but invasive, very small site (not palpable).
Managed to snag a highly regarded surgeon. I asked my gynecologist for recommendations as he is in his 50s and would have seen a lot of this in his practice.
Lumpectomy + radiation = mastectomy results. Lumpectomy very appropriate for my diagnosis.
Pathology results from surgery couldn't have been better, even the receptor results were optimal. I was a candidate for brachytherapy with twice a day, 5 days of treatment.
Along the way I agreed to participate in a diagnosis study and a brachytherapy study. I am otherwise healthy and, God willing, will live long enough to provide meaningful data. On the other hand they don't have to manage treatment for a long lifespan. In this case being an older patient is an advantage. Tomorrow I see the oncologist and will see what she recommends.
Based on stories I have heard from other breast cancer patients treatment options have increased even in the last 10 years. Living in a city with a highly regarded medical school whose graduates stay in the community is a big plus. I have been blessed in so many ways.
Breast cancer is serious but that doesn't mean that we can't have a laugh or two along the way. If nothing else a positive attitude helps worried family members.
After many years of boring mammograms I developed a rather cavalier attitude but it was a change from my previous mammogram that really caused concern. Lesson 1: tolerate pressed breasts, but whining is ok. Lesson 2: if you change health care providers ask for your records to be provided to the new team.
Biopsy results were early stage but invasive, very small site (not palpable).
Managed to snag a highly regarded surgeon. I asked my gynecologist for recommendations as he is in his 50s and would have seen a lot of this in his practice.
Lumpectomy + radiation = mastectomy results. Lumpectomy very appropriate for my diagnosis.
Pathology results from surgery couldn't have been better, even the receptor results were optimal. I was a candidate for brachytherapy with twice a day, 5 days of treatment.
Along the way I agreed to participate in a diagnosis study and a brachytherapy study. I am otherwise healthy and, God willing, will live long enough to provide meaningful data. On the other hand they don't have to manage treatment for a long lifespan. In this case being an older patient is an advantage. Tomorrow I see the oncologist and will see what she recommends.
Based on stories I have heard from other breast cancer patients treatment options have increased even in the last 10 years. Living in a city with a highly regarded medical school whose graduates stay in the community is a big plus. I have been blessed in so many ways.
Breast cancer is serious but that doesn't mean that we can't have a laugh or two along the way. If nothing else a positive attitude helps worried family members.
