Found out at my appointment with Dr. F. today that I will be starting chemotherapy some time in July. Because I am her2neu positive and the tumor was over 5mms, I will get the best results from chemo followed by radiation. There is a new drug that significantly reduces the risk of the cancer returning. I am all for that, so I will begin treatment as soon as I get some blood drawn tomorrow and get a call to schedule a CT scan, bone scan and MRI. Dr. F. will review the results and schedule me for chemo. Scary stuff, but it must be done.

I've had anxiety all day worrying about this appointment tomorrow with Dr. F. He is the radiation oncologist and will review the pathology report with Ron and me. He will determine if chemotherapy is needed before radiation. I pray for radiation only.

I haven't taken microgestin (estrogen) for 3 nights now. I hope that I will not get a migraine headache. Last month it lasted for about 6 days when I didn't take it. I have the pre-migraine sensation in my head. It's hard to describe. I think I will take indomethacin again tonight to avoid a migraine. It seemed to work last night.

I'm also anxious about the doctor's suggestion to stop taking microgestin. Ever since I was told that my breast cancer was being "fed" by estrogen, I've worried about the effects of being taken off of the medication. My gynecologist prescribed is continuously last year to avoid migraines. Quite the dilemma.

It's Saturday and I have to wait another 4 days to find out from my medical oncologist if he suggests chemotherapy before radiation. A little nerve-racking. Just trying to be patient.

I had a follow up appointment the other day with Dr. W's nurse, Mary, while Dr. W. is on vacation. The incision looked fine. I mentioned the numbness and she said that sometimes there is nerve damage from surgery. And to take ibuprofen if needed. I asked her what the size of the tumor was and as she looked up the pathology report found out that it was 2.5 cm (about 1 inch) and 5 lymph nodes were removed! 2 sentinel nodes and 3 additional. That was news. I made another appointment with the surgeon, Dr. W. a week after the oncologist.

Just have to wait and see what treatment I will need. Let's hope for the least amount, yet I definitely do not want the cancer to return.

Surgery day came and went, starting on Wednesday, June 12, at 6:30 at Mercy Hospital. To prepare, I was taken to Nuclear Medicine in a wheelchair for Sentinel Node Location. I laid on a narrow platform in front of a what looked like an MRI machine. The area around my right nipple was sprayed to freeze it before 3 injections of dye. A strange sensation, both the freezing and the injections. A bit uncomfortable, but tolerable. I massaged it in with a warm wet cloth for 10 minutes or so. Then I was moved under a plate that rotated to my side for the best angle. A doctor and nurse marked my skin with a black Sharpie where they believe the 1st lymph node was located. Then I was taken back to my room by wheelchair to wait for surgery.

To my surprise, my mom and sister, Barb, came to the room to wait with us! That was nice. I didn't think I would see them until after it was over. Then Sue popped in just in the nick of time! Before long I was being taken to surgery. Don't even remember being anesthetized. They gave me a sedative before that.

When I woke up in recovery I was babbling to the nurse. I believe it was 11:20 AM. I ate ice chips and sat there until around noon. I was finally taken back to my room and got to see Ron, Mom and Barb. They were amazed that I seemed so well. I felt fine and was ready to go home.

I kept ice on (and off) for the day and took hydrocodone only twice. It gave me a headache, so I just took Tylenol after that. Then tried naproxen. Not a bad recovery.

Tomorrow's the big day. Lumpectomy. I'm pretty calm this evening. I just hope I get a good night's sleep and don't wake up in a panic. I posted a message on Facebook and got so many comments. Lots of encouragement and prayers. So nice to read. Also a couple of instant messages from some breast cancer survivor friends of mine. Now I am going to bed to read. Wish me luck!!!

4 days until surgery. We decided to go out of town this weekend. No use missing out on some fun! Ron, Tom, Steve & Steve and I are headed to one of our favorite places; Louisville, KY. Churchill Downs, here we come! St. Louie Slew is running on Saturday. I have to take my mind off of cancer for a day or two. The tumor is a strange feeling. I'm super-conscious of it when I sleep. I received a care package from my sister-in-law's sister, Janine, from Camdenton, MO this week. In it was a heart shaped pillow (for under my arm after the lumpectomy) a book (Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor's Soul), seek-n-find book, pen, pencil, notebook, lotion, Germ-X and playing cards. The card was from her and her breast cancer survivor friends and their phone numbers. SO sweet! We also received some frozen foods to make next week from Tom Fischer and his wife Sandy. Another very kind gesture. I feel the love. Thank you, God, for friends.

5 days until my lumpectomy. It's hard to wait, worry and wonder. Ron and I went on a nice 2 mile walk tonight at Route 66 State Park. It was a beautiful night. We decided to go to Louisville, KY this weekend to see St. Louie Slew run at Churchill Downs. Why just sit at home waiting, worrying and wondering if I can on a road trip with some great friends? Not sure what the future holds as far as radiation, chemotherapy and medication. I have to enjoy things while I'm feeling good!