Breast Cancer Survivor

Breast Cancer Survivor
"We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails"

Family photo November 2008

Family photo November 2008

Friday, October 17, 2008

No biopsy yet

They couldn't do the biopsy today since the lumps are right on top of my implant. They're 99% sure that they will rupture it so I have to go see my plastic surgeon on Monday to talk about doing surgery and remove them. Yippee, more anesthesia! That stuff is great for sleeping! The nurses are going to laugh when I walk in again...they all know me by name now.

The radiologist (yes, a real doctor) said that one of the lumps is definitely a lymph node that is swollen. That doesn't surprise me since I did have lymphodema on that side and it was acting up a little bit last week. She said the other one was smooth on the edges and very oval shaped which is good. Tumors are jagged on the edges and not any particular shape. She's calling it a granuloma, which is a cluster of cells and could simply be scar tissue. There are a million kinds of granulomas, as I've found out on my internet search, so don't waste your time googleing it. They'll take them out and send them off for pathology, hopefully next week. she also said that since I have a prior breast cancer that they have to biopsy it to make sure but if I hadn't had cancer that she'd be sending me on my way with an "A-OK". I'll update when I have a date.

I'm not counting the chickens yet but I feel a little better now.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers, AGAIN! Hopefully some time soon I can stop sending out bad news!

Love,
Erica

1 comment:

Katie said...

Erica - I am just catching up on your notes! Ahhhhhhh! Stay positive, it is totally going to be F-I-N-E.......fine! I just know it.

Hugs from Maine!

Katie

How it all began......

Welcome to my website! This site was created by my wonderful friend Angela to keep everyone I love updated on my “Journey” beating Breast Cancer.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on December 19, 2007 @ 4:30 in the afternoon. It was quite possibly the worst phone call I’ve ever received. The doctors kept telling me that I was “too young”… it’s probably just a cyst or a fibroid (benign tumor). So, I had convinced myself of the same. Imagine my shock and fear when the doctor said “I hate to tell you this, but it IS cancer.”

I didn’t really know how to react. At first I cried a little. Then, I was ok. Then cried some more, then, ok. It wasn’t until I saw the surgeon and learned of the best option for survival, a double mastectomy, that I really broke down. I had a meltdown for a couple of days and then I was fine. I’ve been pretty good with it ever since. I know that I can beat this sneaky disease and I will live a long life with the loves of my life; my husband Jason, and my 2 boys, Will & Nathan.

Jason had a hard time at first. He just kept thinking the worst, that I wouldn’t make it. He’s doing much better now that we’ve seen all the doctors and the prognosis is good.

The kids don’t really understand. Will (who’s almost 4) thinks mommy is having an operation, that’s it. Nathan just turned 1 so he just wants to be held all the time. That will be the hardest thing on me. I love to hold my babies and I won’t be able to pick them up for awhile.

Thankfully, my mom, Kathy, has come to the rescue. She is here as long as we need her. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful mother and family. My sister is coming from Alaska, pregnant and all, to help out too. My dad is coming back soon and Jason’s parents, Rick & Jan along with his whole extended family are just a phone call away if I need them. Unfortunately, my brother, Steve can’t come although he wants to. I even have my friends from Maine that want to come and help! Thank you Christina and Nikki for offering. My friends here, Angela, Oti, Julie & Niki are all on standby also. They’re ready at a moments notice for whatever we need. I love you all, I can’t say how good it makes me feel to be loved.

Everyone I know is praying for us which is so wonderful. I appreciate all the prayers. Only God knows what will happen but I’m confident that he will pull me through.

Anyway, I hope you log on to find out how we’re doing down here in Texas. My surgery is January 9th @ 7:30 a.m. I’ll be in the hospital for 2 nights.

I hope this site can help anyone else who gets this horrible disease, although I pray that none of you ever have to experience it.

Love to all!
Erica