ONE MORE SURGERY

Dr. Charles Cox, Surgical Oncologist

TODAY was a long day in Tampa seeing my general surgeon going over path results, eating at Denny's, then seeing an oncologist for the first time and all that goes with that.  Getting right to the point...I will be going back in for a follow-up surgery Monday 10/10 for an axillary disection.  Since there was some cancerous activity in two of the lymph nodes they removed at first surgery (even though it was very small), my general surgeon feels it prudent to go to the next step and remove all breast nodes under the arm just to make sure.  He tells me there's a 80% chance the axillaries will be clear, but this is the only way to know.  But here's the positve note of the day...he will drain that excess fluid buildup while he's in there saving the plastic surgeon his surgery!  Hey, you take it where you can get it, right?

Loved the oncologist we saw after lunch.  He was a kind, gentle and compassionate spirit.  The whole "cancer center" environment was quite emotionally overwhelming for both of us, but we held it together and got the job done.  What a wonderful husband I have!  Everyone's telling us that its all in the attitude, and the ones that survive and do much better are the ones with the positive outlook.  You have moments where you question whether you'll be able to be that person on an ongoing basis, like today when the blood pressure cuff hurt my sore arm so badly I wanted to cry.  Makes me wonder?!?  But faith is the substance of things not seen, right?

As far as treatment plan, several weeks after this next surgery, Pet/CT, Echocardiogram, then 6 mos. of chemo (8 rounds given once every three weeks, shots, bloodwork and implant fillings in between).  Our oncologist was very positive and encouraging and we know we'll get through like every other hairless warrior leaving the clinic today with a smile.  Tired and headed for a shower.