Earlier this week, I had an appointment with my surgeon to get my pathology report. She was running over an hour late. My husband, Rob, started a new job this week, so I wasn't sure if he was going to be able to go with me. I really wanted someone there in case it was bad news. At the last minute, he was able to get leave to take a couple of hours off work. Unfortunately, because the doctor was running so late, he spent most of those hours waiting.
Finally, we got to see the nurse practitioner. She was smiling when she entered the examination room. That's a good sign, I thought.
And it was! It was all good news! The surgeon was able to remove all the cancer. The area of invasive cancer was 4mm, quite small. (Any tumor less than 20 mm is considered Stage 1). There was some associated non-invasive carcinoma (DCIS), which was also entirely removed. She also removed 3 sentinel lymph nodes, all of which tested negative for cancer, meaning it hasn't spread.
I am so relieved! All of this means that I won't have to have any additional surgery or chemotherapy. I made a "Score!" gesture with each new good piece of news. Yeah, totally did not play it cool, there.
The NP left after a brief visit. Rob also had to leave then and get back to work. I didn't have to wait much longer after that before the doctor appeared.
My surgeon went over the pathology results in a bit more detail, and gave me a copy to keep. She also examined my bruised left breast, which she called a hematoma. By this point, the discoloration is concentrated around the incision, and there is a palpable goose-egg of a lump underneath. I am to treat it with warm compresses, 20-30 minutes, three times a day.
She also ripped off the steri-strips that were protecting the incisions. Ouch! I was not ready for that!
Overall, it was a lot of waiting for a short visit with the doctor and NP. They were so rushed that I wasn't able to get all my questions answered. At least I did get an answer to my major question, could I use deodorant yet? (I wasn't allowed to use any creams or deodorant after the surgery until the incisions healed up). Yes, was the answer, and thank goodness, because my B.O. was starting to get on my nerves!
I left feeling relieved, and grateful, but also like something was missing. The visit focused on the mental aspect of healing -- giving me the pathology results -- and a little on the physical. But what about the rest of me? My doctor told me my job now is to heal, but how, I wondered? I had hoped to get some exercises to do, just some simple guidance, but no such luck. I didn't even have a chance to ask for any. I left feeling cast adrift.
What I do know is that the radiation treatments will start once I'm completely healed, in about 6-8 weeks. I have an appointment to see the radiation oncologist in three weeks, and another visit with the surgeon the week after that.
Other than that, I guess I can look for guidance in the books I have picked up. Here are the ones that have been most helpful.
The Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Book, Edited by Lynn C. Hartmann, M.D. and Charles L. Loprinzi, M.D.
Man, this book is good! It's a comprehensive guide to understanding types of breast cancer, various treatments, and decision points, like deciding whether a lumpectomy or a mastectomy is right for you. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Life Over Cancer by Keith Block, M.D.
I love Life Over Cancer for its clear, easy to read nutritional support for undergoing different therapies, as well as tips on nutrition to prevent cancer recurrence. LOC has more than that, but that's what I use it for. Right now I'm following the suggestions for recovering from surgery (eat plenty of protein and whole grains, in addition to lots of veggies).
Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips by Kris Carr
This book is specifically for women with cancer (not necessarily breast cancer). It's fun, and inspiring, and a little irreverent. This was a great read right after my diagnosis, as I was coming to terms with having cancer. It also gives some pretty interesting diet tips for combating cancer, which I followed after my diagnosis and before surgery (basic premise: no dairy, no sugar, lots of raw greens. Carr advocates a vegan diet, but I do eat fish because I feel healthier when I do).
And now I can add The Breast Cancer Survivor's Fitness Plan by Carolyn M. Kaelin, M.D., M.P.H.
I got this one used, online. It has a program of stretches and strengthening exercises for progressively recovering from breast cancer surgery. It contains tailored workouts based on whether you had a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, and whether you had any lymph nodes removed. This looks like the guidance I was seeking. :-)
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