HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF update

 Met with my radiation oncologist, a very young man named Dr. Fossum. Very good manners, made eye contact with both of us, all the hallmarks of a 'new doctor'. When I mentioned that we were surprised at how young he was, he said he was going to be 36 soon. Such a baby! But he's a good doctor, I think we'll keep him. His nurse assistants name is Nina and also falls in with the wonderful care and attention that this hospital is known for.

Well, aside from getting an idea of what will be involved, from what he could see of the biopsy sample from my bone, it looks more like a lymphoma than 'breast cancer that's spread'. 'Highly suspicious for low grade folicular lymphoma' is the official note. And no evidence of metastatic carcinoma. ::huge sigh of relief!:: Two more tests are still pending but I think those are more 'detail' oriented rather than anything else descriptive of the type. It's so cool that I can see the actual medical terminology and descriptions with our newfangled technology.

In his opinion if it weren't for me having cancer already and from before, the spot on my left breast they would 'keep an eye on' rather than treat and he seemed to think (in a gesture and expression) that getting a biopsy is a bit overkill. Even if I do chemo, because of all the different spots that have shown up the right breast is the most concerning and it's in the skin layers since there's no tissue left. It's not in the chest wall or had spread anywhere else.

So that was a big relief but still kind of on edge given what is involved with the radiation therapy that is the course of action. Four to six weeks of daily (5 days a week) targeted radiation on my breast after surgery and possibly after chemo. I am now confused because he then said it would be on Tuesdays because that's when he would be there. He mentioned every Tuesday so I will have to revisit that conversation later. That is what he is recommending and will see what the rest of my team says because they just want to make sure everything is dead. I will be seeing my oncologist in a week and she will have all the notes and ideas and recommendations from all the others to present a plan of attack.

I'm thankful that at least half of my doctors are close to me, which includes the cancer center I would be getting the radiation therapy at. I'm not sure about the chemo just yet but that will be known after seeing my oncologist. I wonder if they have zoom meetings to talk about patients or it's all just emails?

That has been on my mind and a major worry more than I admitted to myself. As I have said, prepare for the worst and hope for the best usually turns around the dread and bad juju. 

We made a costco run after the appointment which was interesting in itself. Ordered two slices of pizza and two drinks but in the process of trying to juggle that turning away from the window, they slid out of my hands and landed on the pavement. I yelled out a very loud FUCK!  and didn't really care who heard. I got two more pieces then went to where Jon was sitting. He said he was sitting there and people were milling around then he heard that loud expletive and thought, 'I know that voice' and turned around to see what happened.

Love that man but sometimes... he's too New York when dealing with people. That's for another day though.

"Winds in the east, there's a mist coming in, like something is brewin' and 'bout to begin."   

"Can't put me finger on what lies in store, But I feel what's to happen all happened before,"