The adventures of December 12

Started the day with Gary going in for routine lab work...lab was backed up so I crossed the street to go to my appointment with the radiation oncologist, Dr. Brad Koffman, while Gary still waited.  This time I had the necessary paperwork ready and waiting!  When the nurse called me back in to the exam room I explained that Gary would be coming and would like to sit in on the meeting.  In the meantime, I texted Gary where exactly to find the office.  So I spoke with the nurse a few moments  and she then opened the door to go get something and there was Gary walking down the hall!  I grabbed him and pulled him in!
So, this meeting was similar to our meet and greet with my surgeon, a very preliminary information gathering/sharing session.

Options regarding radiation depend on:

       1.  Results of second biopsy and genetic testing which will help determine the type of surgery--lumpectomy vs. mastectomy
       2.  Results of  what type of surgery is done...lumpectomy will definitely lead to radiation, most likely no radiation if mastectomy

  Radiation would most likely be 5-6 weeks, 5 days a week.  (Shorter more intense radiation is sometimes an option but given my status, the milder, longer duration radiation is recommended.)
  Radiation if needed would start anywhere from 1 to 4 months after surgery depending on type of surgery and reconstruction if necessary.

So if all goes as planned, I should be done with chemo toward the end of March.  Surgery would then be mid to late April.  If radiation is in the picture, it could start the end of May and be over mid July!!!!  Or, radiation might not start until end the end of July and go to the end of August!!!!  Either way, there is an end to this business!

After this appointment Gary and I went to get some lunch...found an interesting sandwich place, WHICHWICH, where you order your sub sandwich on a paper sack and turn it in to the cashier.

After that we headed to the Menorah Breast Center for the biopsy.  This second mass was so small and elusive that the tech really had to search to find it.  The biopsy went smoothly until they tried to place the marking clip...they were not sure it deployed.  A routine mammogram followed the biopsy with the special intent of making sure the second clip was in place...it was, which saved me from having to have them go back in and put in another clip.  After being trussed up with ace bandages, I walked out to the waiting area and found Jessica waiting with Gary...A nice surprise.  Then, with my permission it was decided that they would haul me to a cancer support center where we would meet Stacy who had scouted out the joint. Of course, when we went to our car to drive over to the cancer center, we could not find it.  We were in the right lot but remember I said we went to get lunch...we forgot that we moved the car...   Anyway we made it and I got registered with them and I tried on wigs...not my favorite thing to do but we laughed a lot and picked a free wig that will definitely do in a pinch!  Thanks, my family, for making this journey as good as possible!

Came home and crashed!

PS   I forgot to mention that should I get radiation I will be awarded my very own tattoos!  Three dots to guide the beams!