It's been quite a week. I was all geared up to see the radiation oncologist this past Tuesday, but Monday afternoon I got a call canceling that appointment. My oncology team (surgeon, oncologist, radiologist) met on Monday to discuss my case. First let me say there are NO new tumors or any such thing in my body. I am still technically cancer-free. However, they decided the following:

Because there was still a 3.2 cm tumor in the breast they removed, AND because that tumor was still cancerous, they would like to change their approach in my treatment to ensure I have the best chance for the best possible outcome (the best being: no cancer relapse). On the off-chance there are still minuscule cancer cells roaming around, the docs want to give my body a short burst of stronger/broader-hitting cancer drugs.

So, beginning next Wednesday, October 1, I will receive chemotherapy which includes two more drugs, Taxotere and Carboplatin, in addition to the Herceptin. I will receive a total of 4 chemotherapy treatments over the next 3 months. And yes, I will lose my hair. I don't know what the other side-effects will be yet. I will meet with a nurse on Tuesday to discuss all the side-effects and other things `i should expect.

After these three months of stronger chemo, I will then do radiation for 6 weeks. Then recovery from radiation for 2-3 months. Then reconstruction. 

So, the good news is NO NEW TUMORS. The bad news is that the tumors I did have were very bad. So this treatment is to stomp out even the IDEA of a cancer cell trying to come back.

I'm going to get a short haircut tomorrow in anticipation of the hairloss. Then I'm going straight to my church women's retreat where I can laugh, cry, pray, and eat lots of chocolate with my sisters in Christ.

Thank YOU for your continued prayers for me and my family. Daniel and Tim were at first slightly upset about this, and now they're discussing the cool wigs I can wear. 

Okay, this is funny. I was getting my thoughts together for this next blog post to update you all on the surgery. When I opened my computer to my blog, I realized I've already updated you! That first week was such a blur. I thought I had slept through those first few days, but obviously not. I wonder what else I may have done or said that week which I don't recall? Thank you if you came by to visit and/or to bring a meal - I do know we have had enough to eat - I've actually gained weight since the initial post-surgery loss! Our family is so grateful.
My younger sister, Kristy, spent the first 14 post-operative days with me at home. She was invaluable to me and my family. We realized we hadn't spent extended time together since we lived together way back my senior year in college! We had a wonderful time together. My older sister, Janet, also came to spend a weekend with us. And the three of us were together again.

Krist left two days ago and I've waxed melancholy. My body is healing slowly and I feel so physically weak. I still have one of the two drains which are necessary after surgery of this type and it's because I tried to do too much. My post-op visit with the surgeon was yesterday and when she saw I still had the drains she said, "You cannot do anything with your left arm other than what's absolutely necessary; like taking a shower or brushing your teeth. No housework. No doing the dishes, nor folding laundry." I started crying. That was exactly what I'd been doing. I just hate feeling useless! Who doesn't? My heart feels tender. A LOT has happened, and my emotions must be catching up with me.
What is the next step on this journey now that I am minus one boob and 19 lymph nodes? Well, I can say I'm cancer free! That is HUGE!!! Praise be to the Living God! I probably should've started this blog with those words. :-) But I still have months of treatment ahead of me to be completely whole again, so I guess that's why I didn't.
I've reached a HUGE milestone. I have no more detectable cancer in my entire body. :-)  But, just like when you have a sinus infection and you're supposed to take all 10 days of the medicine even if you feel better after 5, I must continue my treatment for 8-10 more months even though I feel "better" after 6. Next step is radiation. Should begin in early October and last for 6 or 7 weeks. It will be targeted radiation on the area that underwent surgery.
I want to feel strong again. I want to be able to do the things I normally do and more. I want to hike Klingman's Dome again, or swim in the Gulf of Mexico again. My heart leaps at the thought of having strong legs and arms again. I will.
In the meantime I will rest like I'm supposed to. Visit with those of you who come by to see me. Eat good food. And enjoy this recliner.