Thank GOD I only have 2 boobs!

I had my consult with Dr. Y this morning.  He is the surgeon who performed my mastectomy last July.  Just to clarify, a lot of people thought I had a double-mastectomy the first time around- but I only had my left breast removed.  Even at that, many people thought having a mastectomy was overkill, because my diagnosis was non-invasive cancer (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ).  This time around, unfortunately, the lump found on my other breast is invasive.  According to Dr. Y, out of around 250 breast cancer patients he sees per year, only 1 or 2 have bi-lateral breast cancer at the same time.  It's very rare (I'm winning the wrong lottery!!).  He gave me the option of a lumpectomy or mastectomy, even though he said he already knew the answer I'd give him.  I consented to have the mastectomy- right side.  He examined my lymph nodes and he didn't feel anything suspicious.  Furthermore, my CT scan that I had at the ER last week did not show anything on my lymph nodes.  However, that doesn't tell the whole story, and until my sentinal node is biopsied during my mastectomy, we won't know if the cancer has spread into my lymphatic system.  If it has, they will remove MORE lymph nodes to see just how far it has spread.  If it has, then further treatment will be appropriate (chemotherapy, radiation...).  He expressed optimism that it's early stage, but of course, we won't know with any certainty until surgery.

Additionally, my CT scan showed there was an "incidental hypervascular lesion" found on my liver.  Dr. Y did not seem too concerned about this, but ordered an MRI (scheduled for Wed) to be on the safe side.  I've already had two people tell me that they are SURE this is just my Guinness spot!  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about this lesion, but either Dr. Y was only downplaying it to ease my already off-the-charts anxiety, or he is genuinely not too concerned about it- I'm not sure which.  We'll find out soon enough.  Folks, if it's my liver that is what's going to do me in, then I only have myself to blame!

There is also a little bit of concern with the fact Dr. S (my plastic surgeon) made an incision on my breast where there were cancer cells present (obviously, unbeknownst to him).  Also, Dr. Y said some real coordination will have to be made between the two of them because of where my tumor was and where the expander is going to be placed.  I guess there is an incision issue or something- I need some clarification on that.

I BEGGED Dr. Y to put me on the fast-track for surgery.  I told him that waiting six weeks the last time was agonizing.  He agreed that I shouldn't have to wait that long, but I'm at the mercy of Dr. S too, and coordinating the two of them is tricky.  Dr. Y and Dr. S are the best and I want them both on my team, so I guess I'll wait it out.  I should know surgery date by end of next week.

Then the nurse presented me with my "Hope in a Handbag" bag.  It's a big totebag full of "helpful" crap to get me through my mastectomy.   I told her "I ALREADY HAVE ONE FROM LAST TIME!"  OMG- I can't even believe this is happening again.  During the last 4 months, I did think about the fact that it'd really suck to find cancer in my other breast 10 years from now and have to go through this all over again.  Little did I know it'd be 6 MONTHS later, not 10 years. 

Physically, I'm the strongest I've been in my whole life, so bring it on, I'm ready.

Thanks for all of the prayers- they are working and I feel them! 

And as I told Dr. Y, Happy F'in New Year :)