The Next Step - finally

What a GREAT doctor's visit!! Thank you so much for your prayers. Let me try to summarize today's doctor's visit.....without, of course, the commentary from David regarding breasts.....



I went to Siteman Cancer Center today believeing that Dr. Margenthaler would have all of my records from Hannibal and I would be receiving a second opinion.....well.....you know how that goes. When I arrived, I learned that Hannibal had NOT forwarded the slides - in fact, they had forwarded NOTHING...I was a bit furious. Because I had told the nurse Thursday that I would drive over and pick everything up to hand deliver....she assured me that was not necessary. With the price of gas, they would have it overnighted. My first instinct was to be angry....and then, I realized that mistakes are made. No need to pass blame or get angry - I just wanted to get the slides to Siteman....so, I spoke to "molly" and she assured me they would be overnighted tomorrow. (I can assure you that if those slides are not sent tomorrow, my commentary on what I say/do to Molly and their team will be R-rated....David said that is a bit dramatic)



SOOOOOOOO...Dr. Margenthaler met with me anyway and I LOVE HER!!!!! What a blessing - I can only call it answered prayer - because there were 6 doctors in that office to choose from - and I got Julie!!! First of all, she was SO OPTIMISTIC. These were her exact words, " I do not expect to find the cancer in your lymph nodes or close to the surface skin" YIPPEE...........THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU - that is answered prayer....I will say that again and again...........Did I mention she is a breast surgery specialist?????



I learned a lot about cancer today. First of all, most breast cancer diagnoses are for women in their 50's and 60's....and, given the history with my mom and great-aunt, and my current age, I am considered high-risk. (yes - I know many of you are saying....'did she say high MAINTENANCE or high risk?') I am NOT high maintenance...that is Nelsie (oops...sorry, sweetie - I love you!!)



BRCA...the breast cancer gene. Since I am high risk, testing for this was a must....so they took some blood and in a couple of weeks we will know if I have this gene. If I do, then that means Robin has a 50/50 chance of having it.....and my children all have a 50/50 chance of having it. Of course, breast cancer is an adult cancer - there are no documented cases of it in children....ever.....therefore, if I am positive, then it will become an issue for my kids when they turn 18......



What do we do? There are three ways to treat this cancer - surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, the latter two only if you need it. Surgery - a lumpectomy or mastectomy...... The recurrence rate for women who have a lumpectomy is 5-7% (that is a great percentage when I am looking for a rate for a CD.....but that STINKS for recurrence, in my opinion). THerefore, David and I had already decided that my best option was a mastectomy. It was apparent to us after today, that although the doctor can not tell us what to do....she was in agreement with our decision. I call this "our" decision - because while it is my body, I became one with David in the eyes of God.....and I would never make a decision like this on my own - but with my whole.



So, in the end, we have to decide - do we do a bilateral simple mastectomy, or a single? Does it matter what the BRCA test shows? In the end, for us, it does not....I will be having a bilateral simple mastectomy and WOW - not looking forward to that!! I wish you could have seen Dr. Brant's assessment of what would happen....seriously, removing the cancer....a PIECE OF CAKE compared to reconstructive surgery......David says to the doctor, "so, I guess you have had some schooling on this stuff......" you had to be there, I nearly fell over dead from laughter.
Side Note: David has ALWAYS been able to make me laugh.....but for some, reason, that has increased 10-fold over the past two weeks......he makes me laugh all the time - I am so blessed!!!! Not to mention, he has some GREAT one-liners.....I promise to share.

So, Dr Brant's people are going to get with Dr. Margenthaler's people and then they will call my people to let me know when the surgery is - sometime in the next 2-3 weeks.....SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST......PLEASE pray that the surgery date is in the next two weeks......for selfish reasons. Frank and Jo Gari are getting married on the 15th of November, and I really do NOT Want tubes sticking out of my boobs....er....whatever they are called.... at their wedding - yikes, that is so not cool......



A lot happened today - not the least of which was confirmation for me that this is the best path for me to take. If I can say one thing - it is that I know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, prevention is key. Thank God for mammagrams.



I have a lot more to say - it was a FUNNY day.....filled with a ton of humor (Ed and Teresa are sworn to secrecy) , but I am thinking I should save that for another day. As I said to the doctor, "I am so excited....well, as excited as one can be about having cancer......thank you, doctor, for seeing me."



Thank you for your prayers.....May God bless your day.....I love you!