Quick Cancer Update (Patreon)

Some people asked about Friday's appt. I met with my surgical oncologist, the navigator, two nurses and the scheduler. It was a very long appointment. My surgeon says I'm lucky because I have ER/PR+ HER2 - breast cancer (Stage 1) and that its the slowest growing type of breast cancer. I had a choice of a lumpectomy w/ radiation or a mastectomy (which may or may not need radiation but we won't know until the pathology after the surgery.

She said that both choices would be the same chance of recurrence regardless but with a full mastectomy and reconstruction I might be able to skip radiation. I will also need genetic testing to see if I have the BRCA gene.

I've decided to go with the mastectomy and reconstruction (which they do by giving me a tummy tuck, so winning) and after the pathology they'll know whether I need radiation or chemo or both and which medication I'll be on for the next 5 to 10 years. Its three separate surgeries across about 6 months but its better than dying of cancer.

I also have new health insurance as of the first so all of my costs should be covered except my deductable which I will meet probably in the first week with the rates on these surgeries and cancer meds. Levine Cancer Instuitute has a great integrative medicine program that will allow me to do things like acupuncture and massage at a discounted price.

I will now also be able to get my biologic covered and my oncologist says that I can take the medication even through treatment. Another cool thing is that (with the exception of my dermatologist) my entire care team is women from my primary all the way to my onocologist, my surgeon, my two plastic surgeons and the genetics person I have to meet with. I know it sounds silly but having women deal with my boobs just makes me feel better. LOL.

Its definitely going to be a really long road but luckily my job consists of sitting on my ass typing and this shouldn't interfere physically with my job. Mentally, I will probably have some off days and obviously right after my major surgery there will be some downtime but the other surgeries should be outpatient. Thank you guys for checking in on me and always being patient with me.