One more to go! Treatment #11!

We met with my surgeon, Dr. Spech on Tuesday. I have to quickly mention how bada$$ she is.  She walked into our meeting wearing hot pink heels!  With family history, I'm opting for a more invasive surgery of bilateral mastectomy.  She went over the general plan of this procedure but a lot is unknown until she performs the surgery.  Dr.  Specht will perform 2 incisions roughly between 6 to 9 o'clock about 10 cm long.  There were clips in place to identify affected the lump and lymph node so she will use those as markers. She will proceed aggressively but cautiously.  The hope is the chemo treatments have shrunk the tumor enough that the area is clearly defined.  A radiologist will be in the surgery room as well as an anesthesiologist.  The radiologist will test samples along the way and the anesthesiologist will make sure I'm comfortable.  As we were talking, I can't help but think this journey is very much like having a baby (not nearly as fun but a lot of similarities!)

The plan if everything goes well, I'll be able to have reconstructive surgery at the same time.  If not, I will have subsequent surgeries but for now I'm hopeful it will be one and done.  Dr. Specht will do her best to preserve my nipples (procedure known as nipple sparing). Should they test positive for cancerous cells, an additional surgery will be needed as they can't remove them during this surgery.  The surgery will take roughly 4-5 hours.  I will be in the hospital overnight a day or two.  I will not be able to drive for a least 2-3 weeks and recovery is estimated to be 4-6 weeks.  

We talked quickly about the reconstructive surgery. I asked about potentially going larger.  😊  Dr. Specht said she couldn't see why not but it really depends on the elasticity of my skin.  I haven't met with Dr. Liao, the plastic surgeon, but he comes highly recommended. I'm told he's a perfectionist and has been working with Dr. Specht on many similar cases. I will be in good hands! I'm scheduled to meet with Dr. Liao next Thursday, following my last round of chemo treatment!  Of course, I have googled Dr. Liao and my other doctors to read about them.  I feel very fortunate to have a great medical team and remain hopeful!

I thought to save a trip on Thursday perhaps they could squeeze me in for my chemo treatment a few days earlier. It was a short infusion so I decided to ask. Everyone was extremely understanding and supportive. Dr. Comander agreed to it, if my vitals and lab were okay. I nervously waited for the results and when the Medical Assistant came out to take me into a room, I was relieved! It changed up my weekly routine but perhaps it's a blessing as I did not have time to worry about the weekly appointment! My stomach is generally a bowl of jello on Wednesday, with all the nerves and anxiety.

Throughout the day, I couldn't help but be reminded that this was my 11th treatment.  I meet with Dr. Specht in exam room 11 and had infusion in room 11 on treatment #11!  I'll take it as a good some sign! The treatment process overall was fairly uneventful, except for the dreaded Benedryl. I had nurse Stacy. I've had her before when she helped with getting me ready for treatment. She was also one of the nurses that came in when I was shaking at the beginning treatments. Before administering the pre-treatment drugs, she asked about Benedryl. I confirmed that it needed to be slow drip over 30 mins. Based on her reaction, I think she thought it was too long.  As I received the drug, she quickly realized how much of an impact the drug had on me.  I was extremely groggily and just out of it.  I could hear things that were happening but I just couldn't respond to them.  I was struggling to keep my eyes open.  After the pre-treatment, the chemo drug was administered.  I started feeling out of sorts. I think because of the time lapse between the two treatments and because I had the long treatment last week, this round simply may have put me over the top.  I really was just struggling.

My has this one pic of her receiving treatment back in 2010.  She really wanted me to take a similar pic so she could do a side by side comparison.  Here we are!  I do have to say we look very much alike!!