Time for another update. So, I saw my doc on Friday 2/21. She said I was looking great and gave me referrals to the oncologist and to physical therapy. Yay, on to the next phase. I asked about my Oncotype DX result and she said it was still not back – these things sometimes take a looong time. My teacher friend had her surgery on 2/7 and her results were back two weeks ago – WTH? There is only ONE lab that handles Onco DX tests. Well, on Monday I decided to advocate for myself and called the lab… lo and behold, they received the “order” on the 21st! Not the sample –the *order*! Coincidence?? I don’t think so! I seriously think my doc had an “oh crap” moment when she met with me and realized the sample never got sent. She was on vacation two weeks after my surgery and somebody forgot to do something. I called my nurse navigator and Dr. B’s office to share my conversation with the Genomic Health Lab in CA and my “concerns” about the order not even being received until the 21st. Yeah well, Dr. Bellavance called me personally later that day to apologize. She said something along the lines of, “I certainly learned a lesson in follow-up”. I’m not exactly sure what that means but translates in my opinion to “someone dropped the ball”. Now, as I search for life lessons throughout my process I realize getting angry won’t get my results any quicker; nonetheless I am pretty peeved – and tired of WAITING. So by this point on 3/1 the lab officially has my sample and will process results within two weeks (I got confirmation calls from both the lab and my nurse navigator). At least my name is now fresh in their minds and I will hopefully get calls as soon as results are back. Reminder, this is the test that provides a number which helps to predict the likelihood of distant recurrence; a big piece of the puzzle with which to make a decision about chemo.
I saw my plastic surgeon on Thurs. and got my first saline fill! We’ve already established that those of you who are continuing to follow are prepared to hear TMI….Well, the fills feel like nursing breasts three hours beyond feeding time. OW! She put in about 80 CCs which is approx. 3 ounces and that put me at about an A cup which means I have a ways to go. I will continue to get fills about every week to two weeks depending how I tolerate the discomfort. I will go until I am happy with the size and will then have another surgery to swap out the expanders for the permanent implants. I am not sure how long this whole process will take as it varies for many women, but I hope to be finished by August so that I can start school WHEN I get a teaching job and have this all behind me. That said, this is still pending the decision about chemo.
I had a lovely meeting with my professors from FSU this week to formulate a plan for my return and revisit timeframes to complete assignments required for graduation. I will be starting back half days in my teaching placement so that I can transition back slowly and see how I feel. I started back yesterday and it was fantastic! So great to be showered and dressed in something other than yoga pants and hoodies. It was wonderful to see my kiddies who were full of smiles and hugs for me. My mentor teacher is amazing; countless check-ins and take it easy reminders. Admittedly, I was exhausted by the end of the day! Took Devin to gymnastics, had dinner, sat on the couch, and was in a coma by the end of Jeopardy.
While at my meeting and discussing graduation requirements, we discussed among other things, a fantastic idea, suggestion, endeavor, serendipitous opportunity… Call it what you will, I have to do an action research project and my blog may very well be a great avenue for research. My research methodology would be a self-study and by virtue of sharing my story and assessing how my “life change” affects me as a person/educator I could produce a really interesting project. So stay tuned to follow me along (on my journey) as I delve deeper into introspection and assessment. Reflection is all the rage in professional development – who knew a life altering diagnosis, could be such a “gift”?! “Oh the Thinks You Can Think… When You Have Breast Cancer!” ~ whaddaya think?
Well, those are the updates and highlights of the week. Overall, hangin’ in there. My biggest struggle four weeks post-surgery is that I am constantly tired and sore and frankly, tired of being tired and sore. In the week ahead: Tuesday – Oncologist, Wednesday – Physical Therapy, Friday – Plastic Surgeon for another fill and all week back in class half days. Thank goodness they’re half days, because all of these doctor appointments are time consuming! Emotionally stable at the moment, but that may be the next topic for discussion as that seems to be pretty erratic! Stay tuned.
Love to ALL