The BIG day--Surgeon's appointment.
9/26/12--I took the day off from work and drove us to her appointment. We got to meet her Breast Care Coordinator before meeting with the Surgeon. The Coordinator gave her a packet of--yes, more information, but she said that she would be the point person or "contact" if she had any questions or needed moral support. She would also follow along as she goes through this entire process,
She had a journal full of handwritten questions for the surgeon, which she handed to me at the last minute and asked me to be the one to ask all the questions and jot down notes. The surgeon came in, introduced herself, and proceeded to explain how the visit would be structured. Her approach was very calm and direct...you could tell that this wasn't even close to the first time she had this conversation, which kept us both at ease. Oh yeah, and all those questions I had to ask.....she pretty much answered them all without me ever asking.
The surgeon explained all the options for surgery, but made it clear that she felt like there was a clear choice. She said that since there were 2 pretty sizable tumors to the right breast she recommended mastectomy. Her reasoning was sound and we knew that it was the right choice. This would mean that she would likely be able to avoid having to participate in radiation, but she felt that it was a strong possibility that she would have to undergo chemotherapy and the Oncologist would make that determination after her surgery. The surgeon also ordered for Genetics testing to determine whether she had the Breast Cancer gene. If positive for this gene, she would be recommended to have both breasts removed. We held it together while the surgeon was in the room....not so much after she left to make all the necessary referrals and arrangements for surgery. She came back with the date of 10/17/12 for the surgery. This makes it official. I think we were relieved to finally have some definitive information and dates, but it also added other issues needing attention.....work, time off, second graders routine, Little League team Mom.....
Time to call in some reinforcements.....
She had a journal full of handwritten questions for the surgeon, which she handed to me at the last minute and asked me to be the one to ask all the questions and jot down notes. The surgeon came in, introduced herself, and proceeded to explain how the visit would be structured. Her approach was very calm and direct...you could tell that this wasn't even close to the first time she had this conversation, which kept us both at ease. Oh yeah, and all those questions I had to ask.....she pretty much answered them all without me ever asking.
The surgeon explained all the options for surgery, but made it clear that she felt like there was a clear choice. She said that since there were 2 pretty sizable tumors to the right breast she recommended mastectomy. Her reasoning was sound and we knew that it was the right choice. This would mean that she would likely be able to avoid having to participate in radiation, but she felt that it was a strong possibility that she would have to undergo chemotherapy and the Oncologist would make that determination after her surgery. The surgeon also ordered for Genetics testing to determine whether she had the Breast Cancer gene. If positive for this gene, she would be recommended to have both breasts removed. We held it together while the surgeon was in the room....not so much after she left to make all the necessary referrals and arrangements for surgery. She came back with the date of 10/17/12 for the surgery. This makes it official. I think we were relieved to finally have some definitive information and dates, but it also added other issues needing attention.....work, time off, second graders routine, Little League team Mom.....
Time to call in some reinforcements.....
RSS Feed