More good news!!

Good morning everyone!

I have more good news to report! My genetic testing came back early - and with the very best result possible - NEGATIVE!!

This puts me on a clear track for a lumpectomy (versus mastectomy). My next surgical consult is this Friday morning and my surgery is now tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, August 3rd.

We still won't be able to make any other treatment decisions until about a week after surgery when I get my full pathology report. By then we'll know things like - whether my lymph nodes were clear, what kind of "margins" they took (tissue surrounding the tumor) and biopsy results of that tissue(cancer cells present or not), the "grade" of the tumor, etc...That's also when they will officially "stage" my cancer.

At that point, I'll have my consultations with the medical oncologist (chemo decisions) and the radiation oncologist (to see if I qualify for the 5-day radiation protocol - or what the recommendation will be).

I am very fortunate to have a top notch medical oncologist who uses a form of specialized testing and analysis that pulls in all the facts from my pathology reports and genetic testing, looks at the tumor's molecular markers and determines a highly individualized chemo regimen.

It's amazing how far we've come in medical science - and all that they discover each new day!!

The fact that it is a triple negative cancer is still a concern. Only 10-15% of all breast cancer is triple negative and it is harder to treat, more likely to recur, and generally more aggressive. I suppose there is still a chance that after all this is said and done, I may still have to go back for more surgery - but, I'm intending that I am the exception to the rule...that my triple negative cancer gets resolved right here and now, that I receive all the messages and blessings intended for me, and that I get to move on, without fear or worry of recurrance ;).

The results of the genetic testing, I should add, is good news not only for me, but for all of my relatives as well! My sister and my daughter especially. They still have that ugly family history risk, but at least I didn't have to hand them one more big risk factor.

So...that's all I have for today. Live, love, and savor the moments!!

xoxo
Lisa