We didn't have far to travel to meet the breast specialist for breast cancer diagnostics. Dr. Pollack is the one in charge of the surgical aspect of my treatment. It helped that her office was just downstairs.
Dr. Pollack was able to fit me right in for an initial consultation, thanks to a fast and personal referral from Dr. Schmidt. At this point, none of my doctors even had a written final pathology report, as the radiologist would not yet give a written preliminary, but I am lucky enough to have doctors who would refer me and start my treatment plan just on an initial verbal report of "invasive ductal carcinoma."
Very matter-of-factly, Dr. Pollack explained to Stephen and me that because of my age alone, these tumors are usually very aggressive, can double in size in a month, and will require chemo. "You will lose your hair, and it will be very rough." At that point, the tears came. I was crying; Stephen was crying. {There are very few times when I've seen Stephen cry--when I broke up with him after we were first engaged, during our wedding ceremony, at the birth of each of our children, and maybe a handful of other times.} This was hard because it started to hit home. This definitely doesn't just affect me. It would be far-reaching.
After an exam, Dr. Pollack gave us the basic run-down of the treatment. In cases like mine, they don't just rely on surgery and radiation. They do chemo first, leaving the tumor in as a way to monitor the shrinking. She set me up to meet with the oncologist the next day and the plan was to put in my port for chemo either Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of the next week.
Thankfully, I have a great support system and already had family at my house with the boys, an army of friends making plans and sending out positive thoughts, and so many phone calls and texts that my battery wad dead before we got home! The prayers and positive energy were very uplifting and humbling.
We were still so in shock, seeing as our entire world was turned upside down in a matter of hours.
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