http://breast-cancer.ca/dcis-microcalcs/ Hey friends:
Molly learned on Friday, November 17th that she has breast cancer (DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), grade 2 (scale is 1-3)). The good news is that they caught it super early and preliminary diagnosis is that it is very isolated (stage 0 (apparently there are Stages 1-4)). The doctors seem to be pretty upbeat about her prognosis. We met with a surgeon on Monday evening the 20th and here is what we know:
1) DCIS is a non-invasive cancer that has a very high cure rate. 70-80% of breast cancer is invasive.
2) Molly still requires more testing before she decides on the best course of treatment (i.e., lumpectomy vs. mastectomy). Presuming that that additional testing doesn't find more issues, the lumpectomy will be the course she will take.
3) The post operative procedure for a lumpectomy is 33 treatments of radiation. 5 days a week for a little over six weeks. She will not lose her hair (I have assured her that hair loss is no big deal but she is still pumped about not losing hair).
4) The next 2-3 months will undoubtedly present some twists and turns but we hope that everything goes according to plan.
5) Molly’s spirits are really good so we are proceeding right now in a pretty normal way. I am very proud of her.
6) While this is all bummer news, we are so thankful to have caught this early. A routine mammogram caught this!! Ladies, please get your mammograms (and men reading this please get your prostate checked).
We have told our kids and plan to be very open about Molly's quest to beat this. We will keep you updated as we learn more.
Thanks in advance for your encouragement
Molly and Craige
