Surgery

I spoke to Dr. Calhoun for about 30 minutes last night. In reviewing all of my films with the radiologist, they both think I can move forward to the surgery. The radiologist at SCCA does not see this mysterious "3rd area" in the same way as the radiologist in Olympia. In fact, he recommends no more diagnostic testing and doesn't believe this area is of any concern. As disconcerting as this sounds, I have to believe that the guy who looks at cancer in MRIs all day vs. the guy who looks at the kitchen sink in MRIs all day knows what he is talking about. That being said, I will be very closely monitored over the coming years that if this area does start to look suspicious, we will catch it very early. I talked with Dr. Calhoun at length about it and I have faith in her assessment.

My surgery will be on May 14. Two guidewires will be placed under mammogram before surgery, and if for some reason it doesn't look like the area of microcalcifications will be amenable to excision at the same time as the cancer, then a biopsy will be taken of it. However, my surgeon feels that both will line up as they do in the films and will be excised at the same time.

Since my surgery is on a Wednesday, I may be able to go back to work on the following Monday. I'm going to be prepared to do some work from home, just in case.

Although it seems like a long time out, May 14th works very well for me. I have some appointments the week before that I'd rather not reschedule. Also, waiting until May means I'll get at least 2 days paid time off (1 sick day and 1 vacation day) that I will have accrued in April, but can't use until May. Plus Dr. Calhoun will be gone all next week at a conference, so her surgery schedule is booked this week and the first full week of May. So, it all works out.

I am feeling very confident about things, but it is 2:15 in the morning and I haven't gone to sleep yet. I'm hoping that after a cup of lavender and chamomile tea, I will be able to squeeze in 3 hours of sleep. I may be back to the sleeping pills for a day or two until my mind stops with the constant thinking about things.