It is not until the actual surgery that the pathologist can assess the tissue samples. So, on the right breast that was removed, there were non-cancerous lumps. One lymph node was removed and it was O.K. On the left, where the original cancer was "seen", the cancer in the primary lump was 90% dead, so the chemo did what it did. 9 out of 16 lymph nodes taken from my arm pit were cancerous. So chemo was not working there. The upshot is that my cancer has been up-graded to stage 3.
I am being told that I really need radiation. If less than three nodes were cancerous then radiation might or might not be helpful, with more than half infected, radiation is strongly advised.
So next month, I start driving to LaCrosse 5 days a week for six weeks. Early on, I was saying, "anything except radiation", now I am saying "some folks drive to LAX everyday for work...I can't complain."
I can't complain...I have the best support group a person could ask for...Love you all!
P.S. One of the nurses was telling me about an older woman that had a double mastectomy and the nurse was showing her the exercises she should do every day. The woman says "Oh thats no problem, I have been splitting wood already." OUCH...
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