Yep, as if a cancer diagnosis isn't enough, my initial diagnosis of DCIS was incorrect. I now consider DCIS merely the most stressful way to get a discounted boob job. IDC (invasive ductal carcinoma), stage II, is what I have now.
Good news:
1. 180,000 women are diagnosed with IDC each year, so doctors are pretty familiar with this.
2. From what they've told us, there is not enough cancer in the lymph node to be truly "positive", so hopefully it hasn't spread beyond that node.
3. My doctors are wonderful so far, and I am in good hands. Now we just need to add an A-list oncologist to our team.
Bad news:
1. Lymph node involvement likely means chemo. Chemo means losing of the hair, nausea, and possibly interference with baby-making. General suck.
2. They'll need to find out if the cancer has spread anywhere else, which will require more surgery (for the surrounding lymph nodes), body scans, and blood work.
3. I am already very tired of this, and it feels like we're starting all over again.
Weird News:
1. My mother had a vision from the Lord that I would be the mother of sons, so hopefully that thing about baby-making won't be a problem.
2. Having breast cancer makes me want to post pictures of my boobs on the internet. Sean will take the keyboard away from me now.
Whew. This is hard for me, mostly because I am on 6 different drugs right now. Time for a break. Love!
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Hey its Darrell,
ReplyDeleteI strongly encourage the whole thing about posting pictures of boobs on the internet.
I also think this blog is a fantastic idea and wish both of you strength, patience, and good humor. More good news and weird news, please!
Love,
Darrell
Sean - damn you! Give the lady back her keyboard!
ReplyDeleteThought I'd chime in and let you know your stalker is 100% behind you (literally!!!...no, just joking...for now).
At least this isn't a late-night drunken email, right? See...evidence that there is always hope.
I have it on good authority (but no first-hand knowledge, of course) that the interwebs are pretty much at full-boob capacity, so it's probably good that Sean has taken away the keyboard.
ReplyDeleteJust say no to mixing drugs and web cams.
(and can you tell I'm super bored at work right now???)
I am sure you are aware given all your doctors and may cancer books, but my mom has a good friend whos daughter, who is our age had lymphoma, she had her eggs harvested before the chemo for future baby making. I think this is pricy. But might be worth looking into.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Jordan will donate his hair and we can make you a wig. I bet someone could make a composite picture of you with Jordan's hair.
Jessica
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ReplyDeleteNancy, if you could make it through two harrowing years on Law Review, as EE, nonetheless, you will make it through this no problem!!! This has got to be a cakewalk compared to all that bluebooking, right?!
ReplyDeleteI just had a vision from the Lord that Sean will only be the father of ... daughters!! :)
ReplyDeleteJ
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you're having to go through this. I'm sure you're in good hands with Sean, but if you guys need anything don't hesitate to ask. Stay positive, and remember that you're strong and beautiful!
Love,
Megan I.
Dear Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that you got "upgraded," but glad to hear that your surgery went so well.
If you are still looking for an oncologist, I can strongly recommend mine. I may have told you about her before, but can't remember. Her name is Jayanthi Srinivasiah. She is with Georgia Cancer Specialists, and she has been my oncologist since I was diagnosed in 2004. You can read about her on their website at www.gacancer.com. She is smart, compassionate, extremely knowledgeable, capable of explaining medical information, and is on our insurance plan. Haley Schwartz knows her through her work.
I'll be thinking of you as you continue on this challenging journey.
Deborah J.