Meetting the Team - Choosing a path -scheduling tests

June 19 - Meeting the Team

The team:
Dr Runi - surgeon, Dr Colocci - Oncologist, Dr. Bates Plastic Surgeon, plus an array of support folks- social worker, geneticist, financial "counselor", nutritional counselor, and of course, the indispensable nurses that do all the prep work.

This week was all about meeting the team and settling on a path. We started on the path of surgery first, then went back and forth a bit, but ultimately settled on a path of chemo first, then surgery, with chemo starting July 2. I was really happy to be starting treatment as soon as possible! It turns out the "area of concern" with multiple masses was measured by my team doctors at 6-7cm rather than the 4 ish cm measured by the first ultrasound. That ( combined with the palpable lymph nodes) means that the cancer cells have likely entered the lymph system and are circulating throughout the body. This means that I am at least stage 3 with more tests needed to rule out stage 4.

Or, as I have been thinking about it, " the animals have left their cages" and we need to round 'em all up and move 'em out. Chemo is the tool for that task and the earlier the better. I will have 16 weeks, dose-dense AC -taxol with treatments every 2 weeks. According to the oncolologist, I can drive to/from the chemo and should be able to work for the most part throughout the treatment. I'm happy to keep working - its the only place I forget that I'm sick!

Lots of tests scheduled:

• MUGA - Apparently one of the chemo drugs can sometimes create heart issues so I need to pass this test in order to be able to take the chemo and it will form a baseline for future evaluation of the effects of chemo
• Ultrasound of the lymph nodes - a further look at the axillary nodes to see if they are "involved",especially that pesky 2.5cm node
• Bone scan - one of the tests to rule out stage 4
• Breast MRI with contrast - further look at the breast masses
• CT scan with contrast - the other test to rule out stage 4

With the change in direction this week my head is spinning! I have to re-organize my life for the chemo now.

I am so looking forward to a hike with friends tomorrow morning at Rancho SanAntonio. Everything I read says that exercise is a good thing for beating cancer. I also have a fun weekend planned with amusic party on Sat night and on sunday: brunch with friends, drinks with a friend and some more music in town. Looking forward to exercise, parties and time with friends!!