From my perspective

We had our surgeon appointment today.   He told us that I have a very treatable/curable cancer.   On Thursday, no time scheduled yet, I will have surgery.   They will take the cancer spot and the area around it and some lymph nodes from under my arm to verify that the cancer is not there.   We chose the lumpectomy with radiation over the mastectomy because I didn’t want to be that radical and because I have no breast cancer in my family.   I will have to take a week off work for recovery.   Then, in two weeks, we meet with him again and then we will schedule an appointment with the oncologist and then find out the treatment plan. I am feeling optimistic, but tired.  My blood pressure was crazy high at the appointment today, and my shoulders are tense.  I have much to get ready to be off work for recovery.  So this week will be a blur.  

On Monday, September 16 I had my annual mammogram.  I do these pretty religiously because my doctor is always reminding me of the importance of them and my insurance pays for them, so I go and let them squeeze my breasts.  I am the queen of small talk during these procedures so that I don't pay any attention to what is actually happening. Big check mark!  I had my colonoscopy and upper GI earlier this month.  I was more concerned about that procedure because my dad had esophageal cancer and this always concerns me.  But everything came back fine and I was relieved.  We also had blood work done because it is encouraged by my insurance.  They accomplish this by giving a $20 discount per pay period on my insurance if we let them look at our blood.  So I did my dues and checked off all the requirements from my doctor and insurance.  Resume life, I thought. On Tuesday, September 17, I got a phone call from my friend who did my mammogram that I n...