Off to see the wizards!

June 14/11

Today is a big day for me at Princess Margaret Hospital. It's been almost a month since I've been there. First up, a meeting with The Nutty Professor (medical oncologist).

Didn't get much sleep. (what else is new?) Feeling all kinds of craziness. Gotta ask the Doc to check everything. Heart, BP, bloodwork, etc. Maybe HE can figure out what's causing this Intensity Entity to rage through me! I'm sure he'll have some kind of treatment mapped out. Might even find out my radiation schedule. We'll see.

After that, at 2:30 p.m. - a meeting at the Survivorship Centre. Not sure WHAT they do there! (but hopefully, I'll survive!)

Meanwhile, thinking of Sacha (who's right next door to Princess Margaret Hospital as we speak). Should I visit her so soon after the big delivery? Would SO love to see her and the new baby. But after the 30-hour labour and everything else she endured, not sure she'll want any guests. I remember what rough shape I was in the day Kate arrived, 19 years ago!)

Probably won't be able to stop myself from bringing flowers to her.

For now, guess I'll just follow the yellow brick road. Will check in with you later for a news flash!

I'm kinda nervous. Maybe I should start thinking about Al Pacino again (a la yesterday) to take my mind off things. (What's going on here? Is he becoming my new blog mascot??)

"Whatever turns you on Lain! - ALWAYS there for you!"
(Ya Al, I know.)

More results

May 24/11.

Big day. Big news. Most of it good.

In the end, decided against that "As Seen On TV" shirt. (I was really only kidding anyway). I'm constantly finding scribbled notes for the blog all over the house. Discovered a scrap of paper last night on which I'd scrawled, "I REFUSE to go into oncology in black, grey or brown! It HAS to be my favourite colour - MAUVE."

So, out came the feminine new Mexx mauve shirt to lift my spirits, paired with the Hue jeans.

Ready go hear the news!
Half an hour before I had to leave for the appointment with the Medical Oncologist I lost the nerve to go alone and asked my daughter, Kate, if she'd come with me and take notes. Thankfully, she was available and said yes. (after all the years of accompanying MUM on appointments, I can't believe the tables have turned!)

Made it to the Princess Margaret Breast Clinic by 1:30, just in time to be escorted in for a prep meeting with a nurse and the oncologist's "fellow."

They asked a lot of questions and told me things looked pretty good as far as they could see. Then, they left us for a few nail-biting minutes to wait for Dr. Amir, the Medical Oncologist.

My heart was racing while waiting word on the treatment
Dr. Amir spent a long time with me, explaining the case and the risks. He wrote it out for me.

Age - 55 - average - no risk

Tumour size (removed) - 1.5 cm. - (small) - no risk

Grade - (How aggressive the behaviour) - I - (low grade) - no risk

Stage - I

Lymph nodes - Negative - no risk

Receptors - (Proteins on cancer that tell it to grow)
2 Hormones
Estrogen receptor (ER) - 99 percent - Good
Progesterone receptor (PR) - 10 percent - Good

HER 2 - Negative - Good

Can't say I understand every word of the above, but I was informed that it's the best news and it's unlikely I'll need chemo. (which is what I've been SO hoping to hear). However, there is one more test called Oncotype DX. It is very expensive, (but government funded), and involves sending some of the tissue removed during my surgery to a lab in Redwood City, California, (one of the only places this test is being done). It would then take about three weeks to receive results. The test can help define whether chemotherapy should or should not be added to the anti-hormone treatment. I originally turned the test down, but after discussing it with family members, changed my mind and have now asked the doctor to go ahead with it. Better to be safe than sorry.

I've also been given a prescription for Tamoxifen, but won't fill it till after I meet with the radiation oncologist tomorrow afternoon and find out about the schedule, (which probably won't start until June). Also found out about the side effects of Tamoxifen. The biggest one is hot flashes! (Now, I ask you, do I really need any help with that? - I'm hot enough!)

Alfred Sung and Radiation (which of these two don't go together?)

May 18/11

For the first time in my adult life, bought a tank type top in XS (extra small!) Haven't weighed 102 lbs. in, - well, ever! So, what the hell? A nice XS shirt from Zellers' Pure Alfred Sung line was in order for a sunny day like today! To my sister Carrie, yes, I DID eat today, but no matter what bland choice I make, doesn't seem to make me feel great. (although the salmon lunch at The Bloor Street Diner yesterday was delish!)

Showing off Pure Alfred Sung

Love the scribbled chalk drawing on the brick wall outside our house. The kids drew it many years ago and it has never washed off!

Got word from Princess Margaret Hospital today about my appointments with the oncologists. Immediately started shaking. The first meeting is Tuesday May 24th at 1:30 p.m. with the Medical Oncologist. That's the person who will tell me whether I will need chemo (which I so hope I don't), and will let me know my chances of recurrence with or without it. The next day, the 25th, at 3:30, I meet with the Radiation Oncologist to set up a radiation schedule. Even just writing these words here, I can't believe this is happening to me.