The second first opinion

I had my first major appointment on Monday, October 14th.  However, before that I had been told that I had Stage 3 cancer.  So, I was a little distraught over that for a few days.  And then someone said "I hope you don't have HER2 negative.  And guess what...I have HER2 negative, so I was even more distraught.  But what I learned was to not listen to anyone except the doctor.  

On Monday, my sister and I went to the University of Arizona Breast Center in Phoenix.  This was my second opinion, however; the appointment was my first with a surgeon.  Hence, why I call it my second first opinion.  Prior to the appointment, I was emailed four pages of history to complete.  And I did my homework and completed it.  When we got to the appointment, they asked me everything on the paperwork I had already filled out and wrote it down.  I was thinking "why not just read the four pages you asked me to fill out".  Having my sister at the appointment was good because she could answer a lot of the questions about dates and ages and types of cancer.  We have the cancer gene!

The doctor came in and was warm and pleasant.  We talked some and then she did an exam.  She said she could feel the lump.  And I go back to my first post about this...I did not do self-exams as I should have.  And if I had, maybe I would have caught it even earlier.  But to be honest, I have lumpy boobies so I would have constantly been thinking I had to go get checked.  

After the exam, she pulled out a clipboard with a blank piece of paper.  I got to thinking, do doctors go through art class as part of their training?  Anyway, she started writing and drawing and explaining.  She would complete a drawing and the explanation then ask if I understood.  Then she would go on to the next item and again do the same.  Then she pulled out her phone and plugged all the numbers and such into an app and bang:

I have Stage 1a!

We caught it early, it is small, and treatable.  My initial plan was to get a Double Mastectomy (with Double D replacements) so I wouldn't have to go through this again.  But after talking with her, probably going with the lumpectomy, radiation, and may be some chemo.  

Both my sister and I really liked her.  Primarily, I have options.

Thursday, October 17th, I have an MRI and a meeting with oncology.  Monday, October 21st, I meet with the surgeon in Durango.  I will be curious what the Durango surgeon has to say.  

Until next time....