In my last post I mentioned the new piece of metal jewelry adorning my insides. I had a few questions so thought I'd delve into the issue a bit more.... After my biopsy, with the guide needle still in position, the radiologist inserted a cute little ribbon-like piece of metal into the biopsied spot. This will serve as a marker on future MRI's and mammograms so that if there's an issue in the future they'll know where they've already looked and tested. Apparently these come in several different shapes (curly q's, boxes, etc.) but mine is in the shape of the awareness ribbon. I teased my radiologist that it was actually a clip that would give me super powers -- he said, "what powers do you want?" (because he's cool and played along with me despite the fact that he scoffed at my Superdawg suggestion after asking me how to spend his upcoming weekend in Chicago...Focus, Trela.) I told him of course I wanted to be able to fly, see (legitimately) out of the back of my head, and naturally, cure cancer. : )
Anyway, all's well that ends well, and it appears my superpowers are well in tact -- Mayo called Eric this afternoon to confirm our hopes -- my biopsy revealed some sort of fibrocystic issue that is definitely NOT cancerous. No malignant cells to be seen! It will be monitored with semiannual MRI's (so we're doubling the frequency of them), but no other changes need to be made to my regimen.
I so appreciate all of your kind thoughts, words, and prayers since this issue reared its head in July. Many of you have commented on my strength throughout this -- if you are reading this, you are the reason I am strong.
Carpe diem.
Trela
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Mayo Day
No surprise, my morning started with a scheduled ultrasound and unscheduled biopsy. What was a surprise was the location of the area in question -- much higher and closer to the center of my chest than we'd thought. No wonder it didn't show up on the mammogram -- it probably didn't even make the range of film. If I have to have another mastectomy I'm going to have delicious visible scars on BOTH sides..... (And I found out that when I type "biopsy" into my cell phone as a text message it comes out "choppy." Interesting.)
My radiologists didn't give me the "Oh, THERE it is," or "YIKES, I see what they're talking about" kind of reaction I'd steeled myself for. Instead they said they didn't really know (is it odd that at one of the best health care facilities in the world I actually feel BETTER when they DON'T know?). They opted for biopsy to be on the safe side. (And probaby my oncologist would have insisted anyway, that's just his nature.) I killed about an hour with a radiology tech and her sidekick nurse (we watched You Tube's baby dancing to Beyonce... seriously). They were amused by me. The doctor who actually did the biopsy asked me if I was in the medical field after I answered all of his questions -- score for smart Trela!
Biopsy was a core -- medium sized hole and they took ten "clicks" or samples (it clicks when they punch it out). They also inserted a marker so that later they can know exactly what area they've examined more closely. I'll wear ice and take tylenol for a bit but other than that no biggie. Had another mammogram just to record the marker after that and then we were free for lunch (amazing, almost never happens on our Mayo days!).
Met with my onc at 1:15... he pretty much said he's leaning toward this NOT being an angiosarcoma. What?!?! That doesn't of course rule out ANOTHER form of cancer (what?!?!?!), but he said it's pretty deep for an angio... didn't know that was a guideline, but we know now. He showed us the MRI and we, too, could see the area pretty clearly. We'll know results from the biopsy on Friday or Monday, but he's obviously hoping it's benign. Even if it is, we're definitely going to step up my MRI schedule and do another in 6 months (if not an additional one right away). Hate that stupid tube!
Sorry we don't have more to say at this point, let's all hurry up and wait! We're currently waiting to be seen by my specialist, but are pretty sure she won't have much to add...even though her brogue will be delightful, I'm sure.
Carpe diem. -- Trela
My radiologists didn't give me the "Oh, THERE it is," or "YIKES, I see what they're talking about" kind of reaction I'd steeled myself for. Instead they said they didn't really know (is it odd that at one of the best health care facilities in the world I actually feel BETTER when they DON'T know?). They opted for biopsy to be on the safe side. (And probaby my oncologist would have insisted anyway, that's just his nature.) I killed about an hour with a radiology tech and her sidekick nurse (we watched You Tube's baby dancing to Beyonce... seriously). They were amused by me. The doctor who actually did the biopsy asked me if I was in the medical field after I answered all of his questions -- score for smart Trela!
Biopsy was a core -- medium sized hole and they took ten "clicks" or samples (it clicks when they punch it out). They also inserted a marker so that later they can know exactly what area they've examined more closely. I'll wear ice and take tylenol for a bit but other than that no biggie. Had another mammogram just to record the marker after that and then we were free for lunch (amazing, almost never happens on our Mayo days!).
Met with my onc at 1:15... he pretty much said he's leaning toward this NOT being an angiosarcoma. What?!?! That doesn't of course rule out ANOTHER form of cancer (what?!?!?!), but he said it's pretty deep for an angio... didn't know that was a guideline, but we know now. He showed us the MRI and we, too, could see the area pretty clearly. We'll know results from the biopsy on Friday or Monday, but he's obviously hoping it's benign. Even if it is, we're definitely going to step up my MRI schedule and do another in 6 months (if not an additional one right away). Hate that stupid tube!
Sorry we don't have more to say at this point, let's all hurry up and wait! We're currently waiting to be seen by my specialist, but are pretty sure she won't have much to add...even though her brogue will be delightful, I'm sure.
Carpe diem. -- Trela
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