It
was not what I wanted to hear.
I
met my radiation oncologist Tuesday and suddenly things got real. Too real.
How could I have forgotten those key details from my MRI last June?
Besides
the tumor itself, the MRI showed a few suspicious axillary lymph nodes plus a
malignant internal mammary lymph node.
Dr. Nguyen reminded me of those details today and explained what they
meant.
Axillary
lymph nodes are in the armpit area.
Internal mammary lymph nodes are located underneath the ribs along the
sternum. The “complete pathological
response,” i.e., “the cancer is gone” refers only to what was removed in
surgery: the tumor area and single sentinel lymph node. Radiation will not, as I supposed, only be
directed to the surgical areas. It will
include the upper right quadrant of my chest to cover the axillary and internal
mammary lymph nodes. We surely do not
want any stray cancer cells to be hanging out or spreading from there.
Naturally,
this more extensive radiation area means additional possible long-term effects
such as an increased risk of lymphedema and the possibility of a small area of lung
damage.
There
are a few steps before radiation therapy begins. I’ll have a CT scan and get tiny dot-sized
tattoos that will serve as markers for my treatments. Then Dr. Nguyen will plan the radiation
therapy based on her analysis of the CT scan and my previous MRIs. I will have 33 treatments: at five times a week, that comes out to 6 ½
weeks.
About
the time I finish radiation, it will be only a few weeks before I start
quarterly visits to OCSRI-Tulsa to have bloodwork done and an appointment with my
medical oncologist, Dr. Moussa. (My port
stays in for at least two years because 90% of triple negative breast cancer
recurrences happen within two years of the initial diagnosis.) There are bound to be follow-up appointments
with my radiation oncologist as well.
Add
to those appointments the ones for my other medical issues—high blood pressure,
diabetes, degenerative disc disease, sleep apnea, and fibromyalgia. My hope is that as the months and years roll
by, there will be more news I want to hear than not.
Ah, Janis, so sorry to hear this, but my faith tells us that we are prepared for whatever we are facing ... even when we didn't know we were in bootcamp. May the Lord be ever so evident and present as you keep journeying onward. What you share with others is no doubt a blessing to the many lives you are touching. Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed by your strength and determination. As Margery said, I know you are not alone, though it may feel that way at times. I will continue to include you in my prayers. It will be a long journey, but the end result will be worth it. Hugs for those days you need them the most.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margery and Rita. My faith tells me to keep my eyes on Jesus. My feelings have not caught up yet. I so appreciate your encouraging words and your prayers.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard not to open the door to doubt and worry, but if anyone can keep that door closed, it is you, Janis. You are blessed with the most incredible faith in our Lord and His power and healing. May the sweet words and breath of Jesus whisper to you and lift you up as you start this new phase of your recovery. You are an example to so many people. I pray that you stay strong and continue on your path with courage and conviction, as you have been doing since you first received your diagnosis. Bless you, dear heart.
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