3 Weeks after surgery: Chemo or Not to Chemo

So its 3 weeks post surgery.  Pathology results have come back so I thought that I should share them (because my sweet friends keep asking.)  Honestly I wasn't ready to talk about the results at first.  Though stage 1 cancer, it has had lymph node involvement (which we did not expect) and is very aggressive (with a higher risk of re-occurrence than the doctors are comfortable with not doing more treatment).   The tumor in the right breast had grown from 1.2 cm to 1.5 cm in length, in a matter of 4 weeks (so now stage 1c, rather than 1b). There was also 5cm of  DCIS (basically cancer in the milk ducts that hasn't created tumors and is contained in the ducts), also in the right breast.   The lymph node involvement, as well as the aggressive nature of the cancer means that we and my doctors need to be prudent in making sure to kill any cells that may have "escaped" into the blood stream or into the lymphatic system.  This means at least 4 rounds of chemotherapy., and possible radiation of the remaining lymph nodes (but we hope this will not be needed).  Now, I would say that I like to use a combination of western and holistic medicine.  I think an awareness of both, and how God has revealed things to both types of physicians and health scientists is important.  So, I'm working on gathering essential oils, doing research on a better juicer, signing up for accupuncture, and researching cold caps for the hair (basically cryogenic freezing so that it comes "alive" again after each chemo session without having been damaged).  All of these things will be used along with shots to boost my white blood cells and immune system!  Check out before and afters for using the "chemo cold caps" to save hair!

Honestly, I count it as a miracle that folks at the Florida Cancer Specialist Center use these scalp freezing caps frequently and can help me!  These caps are NOT well known and sadly some cancer patients don't even know they have the options.  Jimmy was really worried that I might lose my hair.  I don't want to stress him more than I need to (and wigs ARE NOT CHEAP!)  So if you know anyone that will be having chemo, let them know about the cold caps!  I understand if people decide that its not worth it, but they should at least have the choice :). 

Hair aside, I have to admit that I was very stressed the first few days after learning that I would probably require chemotherapy.  My biggest fear was needing chemo, and being told I couldn't have it because of my heart and kidney disease.  But I'm only 35.  We need to fight aggressively to prevent recurrence, because being this young, along with the aggressive nature of my cancer, does not hold a good prognosis without more treatment for me.  I had a few moments of "God what are you doing?" But I came to the realization that the fact that I can have chemo, and that my cells are easily recognized by chemo as abnormal, is really a blessing.  Some folks have a type of cancer that chemo is less effective against because they look more like normal cells.  The more things that we can throw at the disease to make sure it is gone, as well as keep my immune system strong, the better.  

What to pray:   Please join us in praying that the testing that my hematology oncologist performed to determine a more precise aggressiveness rating for the cancer will come back as moderate or low and not high.  If the rating comes back as high it is likely that I will need a longer and more toxic chemo regimen which may be hard on my heart, which already has enough problems.  Please pray that the doctors will make the right decisions regarding radiation.  Obviously I don't want to have cancer, but radiation also damages skin and will make any reconstruction efforts more difficult.  My surgical oncologist does not want to remove the rest of my lymph nodes because the "dot" that he found on the sentinal lymph node was so small that it is very unlikely that there would be cancer anywhere else in the lymphatic system.  So, he does not want to remove the rest of my lymph nodes to check and potentially cause swelling (lymphodema).  For this reason, I may need to have the remaining lymph nodes radiated. Please pray that I will not be too sick or tired, that my children will be well taken care of, and that James will be well taken care of.  Ultimately we pray and trust that God will heal me. I look forward to being cancer free!  

On a less vital (but painful) note, I still have had to keep the surgery drains in (going on week 3!) because my body is creating a lot more fluid than the plastic surgeon is comfortable with.  Please pray that my body heals quickly and well with no infection.  On that note, chemo also drastically increases your risk of infection so please pray that I do not get sick (and please kindly stay in your home if you or your kids are sick as common courtesy . . . you never know when someone might have a compromised immune system.  Their life might depend on you being courteous to them by not knowingly exposing them to germs).

James and I are so thankful that everything has been healing well.  Look!  In a dress you can pin the surgery drains to the inside and no one is the wiser (until they see you moving like a stiff puppet with a stick up its shirt :p.   I got to go with James to his Christmas work party which was amazing.  His coworkers have been such an encouragement to us in various ways.  I can't thank them enough.   

Then I got to go to the TBPC Christmas Brunch with this beauty!  My mum has been such a blessing to us the last week, and we get to keep her til Saturday (along with my sister Rosie).  Its been fun being "normal."  Honestly at times the appointments, drug lists, and various tasks related to having this disease are daunting in and of themselves.  Though I'm in pain and still having trouble sleeping at night, being able to breathe in pockets of "normal" at times is such a gift!  Thank you God!

ps  I have had a few friends ask how to help with my "keep Jen's hair" fund.  Hair saving is not covered by insurance and costs a few thousand dollars.    Here is the link if interested:  click here