I'm working on the lead up to where we're at now, but I'll spare everyone the narrative for now and tell you where we're at:
Kate's cancer is Invasive Ductile Carcinoma in her right breast, non-genetic based, Estrogen Response Positive. The tumor was right at about 1 in or 22mm. She has had a lumpectomy which required day surgery so far, but it looks as if there is two little arms of the thing left which we're waiting to hear if she'll now need a mastectomy.
They found some cells in her sentinel lymph node near the site which means that some cells have broken away. These cells are not metastatic, which is very good news. However, finding them elsewhere means she will have to have 8 weeks of bi-weekly chemo and will probably lose her hair (it'll grow back).
If she needs a mastectomy, she has to decide weather she will have reconstructive surgery. If she doesn't now, she probably won't be able to in the future. She will have 6 weeks of radiation after the chemo which in a fraction of patients can have complications with saline implants.
If she needs a mastectomy, she has to decide weather she will have reconstructive surgery. If she doesn't now, she probably won't be able to in the future. She will have 6 weeks of radiation after the chemo which in a fraction of patients can have complications with saline implants.
She was quite worried that she would have to have more lymph nodes removed, putting her at risk for stiffness and pain in the area and her arm known as lymphedema. This could have hindered her work as a photographer. However, now that she's guaranteed to be receiving chemo, they do not need to take anymore lymphs.
After all is said and done, 6-8 months and she'll be done with this BS.
Kate's currently looking for a cool hat.
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