Pathology, Perspective, Progress

Another week has passed, with progress in recovery from the surgery of two weeks ago.  We are very thankful for continued healing with no complications!

Remember when, back in your school days, you were assigned vocabulary words?  Each Monday, you were assigned a new list to spell and use in a sentence.  The goal was not only memorization--the Friday test revealed whether or not you understood the meaning of the words.

We met with our Oncologist this week, and have several new words.  Our new vocab list includes words like hormone (estrogen) receptor positive, tamoxifen, cytoxa, and taxotere.  We're learning to use these words in context, and our brains have been stretched.

That pesky spot of invasive cancer, measuring 1.2 centimeters, was removed during mastectomy two weeks ago.  Though gone, it's certainly not forgotten.  Because the tumor was hormone (estrogen) receptor positive, tamoxifen will be prescribed for a period of five years.

A little less certain at this point is whether or not chemotherapy will be prudent.  An absence of family history of breast cancer, the presence of clear margins around the removed tumor, and clear sentinel nodes all point to a reduced risk of recurrence.  Low probability of recurrence gives us the option of declining chemotherapy treatment.  Assuming our insurance company approves further testing of the tumor, the results of the Oncotype DX test (genetic markers test) should give us further direction in our decision regarding additional treatment. 

As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, we are so very grateful for each of you that have come alongside us in this journey.  We are blessed by your continued prayers and encouragement.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"Know that the Lord is God.  It is He who made us, and we are His, we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."  Psalm 100: 3-5