Waiting Patiently

I received some good news yesterday. My insurance is going to pay 100% of the oncotype testing and the results should be at the oncologist's by November 1. I will feel much better about a treatment plan having this information, rather than the Dr. guessing about whether or not the cancer might come back and whether or not I should have chemotherapy. If you don't know what I am talking about, look at my previous post.

So, I don't have a lot of information other than that at the moment. I still have one drain in and hope to have it removed next Tuesday. I have been reading some books and am on fall break through next week. I will be able to go back to work Oct. 28.

Thank you for keeping up with me! I am encouraged by all the love and prayers from each of you!

So What is an Oncotype?

Hopefully you are learning a little more about breast cancer as I am by keeping up with me! Who knows you may learn something you can share with someone you know who is newly diagnosed and has no clue what is going on. Yesterday I went to follow up appointments with my surgeon and the plastic surgeon. Afterwards I had a headache from the anticipation of meeting with them, hearing the pathology report and getting one of the drains removed (OUCH! but great that I only had it for a week). Still have one drain to go- hoping to get that one out next Tuesday.

My surgeon gave me some good news. All the cancer is out and there were no new occurances in other areas of the tissue.  Amidst all my hospital changes, we found out that I am due for my annual mammogram on my other breast, so I have that scheduled for next Thursday. That sort of resurrects my fears but I know that God is watching over me and nothing happens to me that doesn't first go through His hands.

One piece of information we still need before determining whether or not I should have chemo treatments is something called an Oncotype report. This is a specific genetic test used for women who have early cancer stage, negative lymph nodes, and is estrogen positive- which fits my case precisely.  What this test measures is my risk of reoccurance. They will take my original lump that they removed at stage 2 and test 21 genes. It will measure the chances of my cancer coming back and how likely I would be to benefit from chemotherapy. If I am at low risk then chemotherapy should not be part of my treatment plan. I am hoping and praying this is something that can be covered by my insurance. The medical oncologist is going to call and check on where the request is. They put in the request on September 6, but they have not heard anything and I have not heard from my insurance company.

So, I am doing really well and sleeping well. Only taking Advil now. Getting out for 3 short walks per day.  When I find out more about the oncotype testing I will let you know.

I'm Home!

Surgery went well and I am home. So my Doctor's orders are interesting. I have to take a 5 minute walk every hour, do arm lifts every 15 minutes, do a breathing exercise once per hour, empty my drains every 5-6 hours, take pain meds every 4 hours, and my antibiotic every 12 hours. That my friends, is a full time job all in itself! My follow up appointments are Tuesday with the surgeon and plastic surgeon, and Thursday with the medical oncologist, so I will find out the plan for my follow up treatments at that time.

My mom is here to help for a few days and I am just going to try to get through my daily tasks and pray for quick healing and ease of sore muscles. I have an anesthesia block that will last for one or two more days but it is mainly for the incisions and not so much for my muscles.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support. I truly could not be so positive without the love, prayers, thoughts, meals, cards and good wishes from everyone. I hope that I can be there for others in their time of need in the same way others are doing it for me right now.