October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

And I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Here is the scoop:

September 11, 2012 - first mammography since last one a year and a half ago

 

September 24, 2012 - They called me back for a second diagnostic mammography and recommended

                                    that I see a surgical oncologist.

 

October 4, 2012 - Met with Dr Kolli at Robert Wood Johnson Cancer

                              Center. she scheduled me for a biopsy.

 

October 18, 2012 - The biopsy was done at University Radiologists in New Brunswick.

                                Pain discomfort was a 3, emotional distress was a 22! Waiting for results..HELL!

 

Statistic -80% of biopsy results are negative.

 

October 23, 2012 - Angela and I on the spur of the moment  make plans and go to Stan's Shoe Shack

                               then to Michaels and then to the Bridgewater Mall. I was in the clearance section

                               of Michaels when the radiologist called with my results. All I heard was that my

                               biopsy came back positive. She said more but I guess I just tuned it out.

                               No crying! No hysterics! Ok, now I know! I am back in control and can take care

                               of this. Told all immediate family members except my father (wanted to tell him

                               in person).

 

October 24, 2012 - I practiced saying ....I have cancer! A little unbelievable and during Cancer

                                Awareness Month no less. Called Surgeons office and asked to change

                                appointment from November 1 to something this week  .....Oct. 25, 2012.     

                                Dinner with Caroline and Pop. Told Daddy. All  he could do was look at me and

                                shake his head, but we didn't cry.

 

October 25, 2012 - Today! Saw my surgeon Dr. Kolli. My diagnosis is Ductal Carcinoma in SITU

                                with breast calcifications (DCIS). It is a stage 0 cancer, which is very good. There

                                is only a 2% chance of it spreading into my lymph nodes.

                                The cancer will be surgically removed by a wire localized lumpectomy. I will

                                recover for 5 to 6 weeks and then begin 6 weeks, 5 days a week of radiation and

                                then I will begin a five year hormone treatment probably Tamoxifin. I will have a

                                mammography every six months for at least the next two years.

                                This type of cancer has a 100% five year survival rate. I WILL LIVE!