Day 6 - 10/15/18
We met with the oncologist today. I believe the visit went very well. He advised that it's considered Stage 2 breast cancer--which is somewhat of a relief to me. This means that the survival rate is higher. Although I am trusting in God through this process, it still feels good to know that it's Stage 2.
The treatment plan begins with chemotherapy every 3 weeks for a total of 6 sessions. After those sessions, based on the success of this, I will be scheduled for surgery. While in surgery, my lymph nodes will be examined and removed, if necessary. I will have additional treatments every 3 weeks for the remainder of 1 year--these treatments are not actually chemotherapy, but a less harsh drug. Also after the surgery I will have radiation treatment. Ok, so this is the "dumbed down" version of what I was told. The oncologist was really great with the explanations and demonstrating the type of cancer and the treatment. It was just too much for me to absorb in a way that I could intellectually speak on it.
I've gotten a couple more appointments added to my schedule this week. I'll need to have an echocardiogram, which is stress test for my heart, and a "tutorial" of chemotherapy. If all goes well with everything this week, I could begin chemotherapy as early as next week.
Wow..... that's kind of quick..... I was eager to get started, but wow...... next week? I'm just going to let that sink in for a moment.
Both my husband and I have realized.... this is really happening.... I'm not sure how I'm feeling about it..... I still have my sense of peace in trusting in God...... It's just the thought of the magnitude of what my body is getting ready to go through..... I think I heard the medical assistant use the term "anxious" earlier today..... Yes..... I think that's what I'm feeling.... Anxious. I can definitely say that, as of now, it is not fear..... so anxiousness would be a better description.
Over the next few days, we'll be taking 1 step at a time. I don't want to overwhelm myself by trying to rush through each process. I must trust in my doctors and team to help me through all of this. They are the experts and appear to be really good at this. I have confidence that God has given them the wisdom and ability to do their job.
So tomorrow is the MRI. I've never had an MRI before, so this should be interesting. I have been given something to help me "relax", so I am planning on taking it. I will be meditating on Psalm 23 all day tomorrow.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23: 4 KJV
Day 8: