Well, if you ask me, I will tell you that I feel great. And, I look okay, although my workouts are a
little behind, as is a mani and pedi!
But, according to the doctor, I am not yet at 100%.
Tuesday, while Mike and I were on our way to my niece’s high
school graduation in California, from my oncological surgeon, Dr. Barbara Pockaj, called. It is never good news
when the doctor calls you.
Dr. Pockaj explained that she had pathology run two tests on
my samples to be sure of the results.
First, the good news is that the lymph nodes are clear. The not great news is that they need to get
clearer margins.
The cancer that I had in 2009 was called ductal carcinoma in
situ (DCIS). There is now something
called invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC). IMPC cancer cells are small are and arranged
like nests. IMPC accounts for about 3%
of all breast cancers and typically has a good prognosis.
Invasive MPC, means that the cancer has broken out of the
milk ducts and has spread to the lymphatic vascular system, but again NOT into
the nodes. Dr. Pockaj is had me come
back Friday, May 30th and do a re-excision of the area. All went well with the surgery. They pulled out a very small piece of tissue and checked for clear margins.
We are working with TGEN and hoping that there will be
enough of a tumor sample that TGEN can use to do some testing. This may sound frightening, but we really
have such a wonderful support team that we have great confidence that we will
get this behind us.
This new development may likely change my after care program
to include additional forms of treatment.
We are prepared for anything that we need to do. Mike and I agree, that
we just want to get this completely eradicated so that we don’t have to
continue to deal with cancer. We will meet with the medical oncologist this Tuesday, June 3rd and learn more about the treatment plan.
At the graduation yesterday, my niece Sophia, as class
valedictorian, spoke about how we make plans in our lives, and then there is
God’s plan. Right now, I am not real
crazy about God’s plan. But Sophie’s
words keep pulling on me to try to understand His plan, so I am going to do
just that.
Recently, my friend, Amy, sent me a very cool prayer. I want to share it with all of you:
In the name of the father, son and Holy Spirit.
Be thankful you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build
your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.
It’s easy to be thankful for the good times.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also
thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.
Amen.
In the name of the father, son, and Holy Spirit
*Thanks Amy for sending!
Xoxoxox
