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Sign In to Show Your SupportChapter 5: The Pathology Report
Wednesday 5/22/19
10:45am-we returned to Oakland for my first Post-op appointment.
-Lymph Nodes tested negative for cancer
-Nipple tissue tested negative for cancer
-Margin surrounding the breast tissue tested positive for cancer.
-So the cancer has spread. It is no longer DCIS, but a new diagnosis. Mucinous breast cancer.
-New game plan in place, I now have an oncology team, in Dublin.
-I will need radiation on a daily basis at some point during the summer.
-I will need 6 months post radiation to heal and recover
-We are looking at a final reconstructive surgery in early 2020.
-The plastic surgeon will continue to expand the temporary implant that is in my body in conjunction with the radiation treatments.
-This is expected to be a low daily dose, and I am not expected to be radioactive or need to be quarantined after each treatment.
-I will meet my new oncology team on Wednesday 5/29/19 for the first time.
The Reactions
-This sucks
-I cried after receiving the update and have been pretty depressed for the last few days.
-I am not cleared to drive, and it’s been a hardship on Chris to be on the only driver in a household of 5.
The Lesson Learned
-Have no expectations.
-We went into the Post-Op expecting a best case scenario and it was devastating to hear otherwise.
-Be prepared to be emotionally, spiritually and physically drained out. And be ok with it.
At this time, I really want to thank all of you for staying so positive and kind as Chris, the children, and I are riding this emotional roller coaster. Mother Nature is seriously telling me that my lifestyle of choice (overly busy and over scheduled), needed to come to a hard stop. And I need to be a better listener.
In Strength,
Laura Gan