Update

The MRI went without a problem on Wednesday, the bloodwork has been started and I got the genetic test done and it's sent off. I was hoping I'd have heard back by now regarding the MRI but as of right now, not a word from the doctor. Guess I'll be calling her on Monday just to find out if there's anything of concern with the MRI. Hopefully, in this case, no news is good news.

I was wrong about the genetic test not being minty fresh... it was! A little too minty fresh for my taste. Did you know if you have Scope in your mouth too long, it burns? It was only 30 seconds at a time, but the second time was almost painful. There won't be anything back on that for a couple weeks.

Surgery has been set for October 3rd so the results of the genetic test will be back before that. According to what the doctor put on my FMLA paperwork, estimated time off work will be 4-5 weeks. Current plan is a partial mastectomy (aka lumpectomy - though my surgeon dislikes that term) and a sentinal lymph node biopsy. There is a possibility of a axillary lymph node dissection but that hasn't been decided yet.

A sentinal node biopsy means they look at the first lymph node that cancer cells are likely to reach and test it to see if there are cancer cells present. If there are no cancer cells present, then it is a good possibility that cancer has not spread beyond the current tumor. If there are cancer cells present, then there will be additional lymph nodes removed from the upper chest and arm (the axillary lymph node dissection). This will be determined during the surgery to remove the tumor.

As far as the time off goes, for however long I'm off, I'm not to lift, drive, push, or pull... minimal arm/chest use. Oh, and this is my RIGHT side and I'm right-handed. This ought to be interesting... I can do some things with my left hand, albeit slower and sloppier in most cases. :)

That's all I have for now... will have to wait for Monday to find out about the MRI results it seems.

Love & Hugs