This week I met all the doctors who will be managing my care over the next several months and for several years after that. I met Dr. MacCalllum, my medical oncologist Tuesday morning. She explained to me what type of cancer I had, high-grade DCIS. The high-grade part was new to me... I knew the DCIS part. Basically there are three types of DICS: low grade, middle and high. High means the likelyhood of the cancer invading outside the milk ducts is much greater. You definitely want that type of cancer out and out soon! Following that appointment I met with the genetic counselor, Kara Lamb, who explaind the genetic testing I would have (they drew blood and sent a vial to the genetic testing lab). I would get the results in 2-3 weeks. Kara will review the results first and then will notify me so I can see them online. I'll see them before my surgeons will. If the genetic markers come back negative, then I'll just have my left breast removed. If there are positive markers, then I'll need to determine whether or not I should have a bilateral mastectomy. I'm hoping for a negative result! 

Today, Friday, I met the surgeon, Dr. Ploch, who will remove my breast. It's going to be an overnight stay at Virginia Baptist Hospital. He was very thorough in his explanation of my cancer, he showed me a photo of my Breast MRI, he drew pictures for me to explain the cancer and what the surgery would be like, and answered all my questions. I really liked him as did Larry. (I'll have to say, Larry has been great! He's going to all my appointments and being so supportive. He's coraling all his friends to pray, and he's getting a lot of support from them for him too.) I did tell Dr. Ploch and his nurse Sarah, that I would be seeking a 2nd opinion from UVA Breast Care Center to basically confirm the diagnosis. I feel certain they will confirm all that I've heard this week, but I just want to be absolutely sure. This surgery is body altering, and it's not something to do lightly. 

After we saw Dr. Ploch we headed over to see Dr. Wilson, the plastic surgeon. We watched a general video on breast reconstruction; the nurse took my first "semi-nude" photos; and Dr. Wilson measured me everywhere. I didn't realize I was as droopy as I am with the way he kept lifting up my boobs! LOL! At any rate, he said I was a good candidate for reconstruction surgery. He also mention that I shouldn't gain any more weight... my BMI is at 28 and he says patients with 30 BMI and above don't do as well. Yikes! I'm going to trim down (hopefully 5-10 pounds) before my surgery. The reconstruction is a process. After the mastectomy, Dr. Wilson will immediately begin the reconstruction. He'll insert a saline expander which will be added to over time until I'm at my pre-surgery size. After three months, I will have outpatient surgery to remove the expander and put in the permanent implant. I will have one or two drain tubes in my chest to keep any residual liquids from pooling up. Those will be in for 10-14 days. That time period will be my most difficult during recovery. I'll be limited on how much I can use my arm(s). Also, after drains are removed I can resume some activity but not anything heavy or strenuous for at least several months. Dr. Wilson said I should be good to go by our beach week at the end of June (and ocean water would be ok)! 

Today was a lot. After we got home I got in touch with Betty Sue and we took a quick 2 mile walk so I could unload all this data on someone. She is such a good friend and so very encouraging. The rest of my Village is as well! I haven't had a good cry over all this yet... but I have a feeling it will hit me soon. 

PS... Dr. Ploch said no nail polish for surgery... so the pink nails I have now will have to go prior to April 27, my surgery date. Once I heal up a bit I'l go right back to Tee at Foxy Nails and pink them up!