Medical Oncologist Appointment & More Waiting - 9/14/20

Tim and I met with my Medical Oncologist, Dr. Sohkn this afternoon. We BOTH really like him a lot. We were his last appointment of the day and instead of feeling rushed or like he wanted to get home, he spent SO much time with us it was wonderful - everyone that we have dealt with at St. Lukes from the start of this journey has treated me like a person and not a number or a file. Dr. Sohkn wanted to know how I was doing as far as how I was handling things since finding out about my diagnosis, how I found out about my breast cancer (did I find a lump, or was it from a scan, etc) and then we talked about treatment options.

Because the two masses that were removed from my right breast were ER/PR+, we know for sure that hormonal therapy (Tamoxifen) will be required but.......since so many of the factors of my pathology were "tweeners" (my terminology, not his); he wants to do additional genomic testing to give us a better idea of whether or not chemo would be beneficial or not in ADDITION to the Tamoxifen. Radiation will NOT be necessary since I had bilateral mastectomy surgery. (YIPEE!)

So......off the tissue samples will be sent to have them tested which could take up to 2 weeks. When they are returned, the test result (called an Oncotype Score) will give him a number that is a predictor of the reoccurrence rate of my breast cancer based on my age; therefore telling him if chemo would be a benefit or not. So.....more waiting. One of the nice things that he did tell us (which we kind of already knew but hearing it again was nice) is that I am considered NED (or No Evidence of Disease). Dr. Sohkn said he does not like to use the words "Cancer Free" because there COULD be microscopic cancer cells in my body that could not be detected but based on the clear margins and clear lymph nodes from the pathology report, I am NED. 😊

Today was my first day back "working" from home. I set myself up so I could comfortably work at my desk and got through quite a bit of stuff but am pretty tired this evening. I'm sure I will sleep well once I shut down for the night.

Tomorrow afternoon we meet with Dr. Hulsen, my plastic surgeon, and are hopeful that the last 2 drains come out and that the clear "packing tape" like dressings that I have on are removed or changed to give me a little more comfort. Things are still pretty sore and tight.

We can not say thank you enough for all of the prayers, food, presents, cards, and love that are being sent our way. Prayers are clearly being answered as the news that we continue to get is trending in the right direction. I wish I could say that this "journey" is over just yet, but it's not but I'm going to continue to do everything that I can to keep things going in the RIGHT direction. 💕💪