One full torturous week has finally passed. Today I learn my fate. What is my particular flavor of cancer? How far (if at all) has this cancer spread? Will I need surgery? Will I need chemo? What is my prognosis? All of these things I will learn today.
Brian took a half-day to take me to my 1pm appointment. My Dad called a few days prior, letting me know he was driving up from Austin, MN to accompany me, as well. So, I have good support along side me. I worked from home today, a half-shift. My Dad arrived at the house a couple of hours early, so he was stuck watching me work for a while. That’s OK, though. It gave him the opportunity to see what I do for a living. Plus, he’s good company.
We arrive to Red Wing Mayo early, as I had to drop off shit samples to the Lab before heading down to Specialty Medicine. I’m also dealing with some Crohn’s issues, so I’m killing two birds with one stone at the hospital today. The waiting room time seems abnormally long. Let’s go! Tick Tock, Muthafukas! Of course, the “watching paint dry” effect is more psychosomatic than the passing of time itself. Anxiety will do that. Time this entire week has passed like molasses. “Erin!……Erin!” Finally! The nurse takes me and Brian back to the exam room to speak with the Surgeon, as my Dad hangs back in the waiting area. The Surgeon cuts right to the chase. He knows me well enough by now, that I’m not a fan of fluff and sugar coating. I’m not a child, I prefer to face reality head on. Just give me the facts, Jack!
So much information is being thrown at me. It’s a good thing Brian is here, my second set of ears….my second brain. The Surgeon sums up my pathology report taken from the breast biopsy. He tells me what I already know, that I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. The lymph node biopsy yielded no results, as they missed the mark and failed to collect any tissue samples from that mass. The stage of my cancer and whether or not it has begun to spread is unknown. Had the lymph node biopsy been successful, they’d have more information. A full pathology will need to be conducted on the tumor once it’s removed from my body to determine the full scope of my cancer, and to determine my need for chemotherapy. They will need to remove the problematic lymph node, as well. The surgeon went on to explain the first course of action: surgery. He gave me three options: Lumpectomy with radiation, removal of the cancerous breast with reconstruction, removal of both breasts with reconstruction. The survival rate is the same with all three options, but the rate reoccurrence significantly decreases with the removal of both breasts. My immediate gut instinct is towards the removal of both breasts: double mastectomy. My reproductive days are 27 years behind me, so I don’t need my tits anymore. I have a very active lifestyle, and we have a lot motorcycle trips planned for this summer. I don’t have time to fuck around with reoccurring breast cancer. Just cut the puppies off and let me move on with my life. I turned to Brian and tell him my initial gut instinct, and he agrees. It’s his gut instinct as well. I turn to my surgeon and tell him I should give myself time to consider the options, but I’m leaning towards double mastectomy w/ reconstruction. He then went on to tell me some of what to expect if I were to move forward with the double mastectomy. I would be referred to Rochester Mayo for the surgery, as they have Plastic Surgeons on-site for the reconstruction. I would have to consult with Rochester for a full run-down of their specific modus operandi. I was told there are 2 forms of reconstruction: using my own tissue (particularly from my abdomen) to rebuild my breasts, or implants. Which form of reconstruction I’m a good candidate for will be determined by Rochester. So, basically, the surgeon wasn’t telling me much other than: “You have cancer.”, and “Rochester will be able to tell you more.” What he was able to tell me, is that due to my age, weight, fitness level, and overall good health, my recovery time should be fairly fast. And, based on the same factors that predict my recovery time, the chances of needing chemotherapy is fairly slim. He told me that due to my family history, I qualify for genetic testing if I wish to do so. This would not play a factor in my current situation, but it would be good information to have for future reference. So, if it turns out I have a genetic disposition to other types of cancer, I can be proactive. Also, it’s information I can give to my Son…so he can be proactive towards his own health and the health of his children. I immediately said yes to the genetic testing. With that, the surgeon told me he would send a referral to Rochester, and to wait for their call. That is one thing I have learned to expect in this process: to anticipate the WAIT.
With that, we bid the Surgeon fair-well, and walked to Scheduling to set-up a Zoom meeting with a Geneticist in Eau Clair, WI. A genetic consultation is required before the testing can be administered. I was able to get the genetic consultation scheduled the very next day, during my lunch break, which works out perfect: no need to take time off work!
By the time we left the hospital, the three of us were famished. So, we treated my Dad to dinner at Liberty’s in Red Wing. Liberty’s holds a special place in our hearts. My Mom, Brian, and myself had all worked at Liberty’s in the past. We know the owner & his family, and know quite a few of the employees on a first name basis. I ordered myself an Old Fashioned in an attempt to melt away some of my tension, and to celebrate the fact that I finally have a plan of action! Our moods were high. This cancer isn’t going to kill me. I’m going to kill it before it has a chance to kill me, It’s the Viking way! SKÄL!
Sour Tits 