I have neglected to tell you all my results of my breast biopsy that was taken a few days after America’s Big Deal. How I went front being glamorous one night choosing fun outfits to choosing what to wear to meet with your doctor at Sloan to discuss your results..makeup? No makeup? Do I do my hair? Wear something cute? Something comfortable?
There was just one thing I knew I would be wearing and that was my #fuckcancer bracelet. All these years of gifting cancer patients, people asking me why I do what I do, interviewing so many woman, raising money for different breast organizations, for saying it was for Norman and so many family members on this Friday the 17th I wore it to say #fuckcancer for myself!
On that day I was meeting with my breast surgeon to hear what kind of breast cancer I have and at what stage it is, what my options are and make a decision. I had already received a phone call in the middle of a Holiday party on Monday night and was told that I have at least DCIS. Talk about a kill joy. I came home to sit my sweet husband down and tell him my results. Strength is my super hero power in times of trouble. I did not shed a tear as weirdly enough I was relieved.
9 years of dense breasts exams, mammograms, sonograms, ultrasounds, MRIs, being told there was something they were watching..well we finally caught it and its early. My diligence about going for my follow ups and staying on top of the girls paid off. (Yes ladies this is your reminder to go make that appt!)
Anyway..here it is. I have DCIS with microinvasion. Which means the bad cells are just making their way out of the ducts. DCIS is ductal cancer and is stage 0. My microinvasion takes it to a stage .5 or 1/2 ..not yet stage 1. I was told I can have a lumpectomy, 4 to 5 weeks of radiation 5 days a week and then go on tamoxifen for 5 years. The lumpectomy would leave me with 2/3 of my breast. My girls are small and that would be a big part of them. I love my cute little boobs. We have had a lot of fun all these years!
I know that I can handle this with such an amazing group of loved ones and friends. I am an annoyingly positive person and know that God has a plan, I know that everything I have done these past few years was to help me with my journey so that I was educated, that I was able to interview so many survivors to make the best decision for me knowing myself, my control issues and being a small business owner.I also took into account my sister having a different type of cancer 15 years ago and every aunt and uncle having some type of cancer. I have decided to be very aggressive and will be moving forward with my decision to have a double mastectomy God willing with nipple and skin saving and have implants put in. By doing this I am cutting my risk of recurrence to 1 1/2-3%.
There are other options such as cutting some of the fat off my body and things like that but I want to heal as quickly as possible. The date for my surgery is 2/2/2022 and I am praying I will be a candidate to have this all done in one shot and lest just threat this like this girls getting new boobs for her 50th!
This decision is right for me as I have no doubt, I am so calm and so at peace with my decision. This may not be right for others and some may think I am crazy but i know I am not.
I share all this shit because I am so grateful for all the women who have opened up to me, have shared their choices and educated me. I SHARE because I want you to be in charge. DO NOT be afraid of getting your mammogram. I get to make these choices because I am in control!
I pray that this decision will spare me from any radiation or chemo and that I will not have to take any medication. It's looking that it may so I will keep praying it stays that way.
Please go make that appt!
Thank you for the love! My surgery date is 2/2/2022, and Vented in Brooklyn will be closed from 2/1/2022-1/16/2022. Some things are out of my control and I just have to accept it as controlling as I am! Love to you all!
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