I've been Downgraded & its a very good thing

Wednesday September 17th

It's all coming together perfectly. Although I consider the last month and a half to only be the "information gathering" stage, and oh SO much constantly changing information it has been lol, it is clear that there is a WIDE spectrum of care here in MKE. I feel we have been thrust into this gigantic learning curve quickly since we've never personally experienced this level of "hospital care" aside from birthing and with Tim through his bike accidents. And I will add here that I fully respect the choices other people make with their own care for whatever reasons they choose them because we all definitely need to feel comfortable first and foremost. I feel a much greater awareness and sense of compassion about this now. There are so many factors (logistics, cost, time etc) plus peace of mind is a HUGE factor in any healing process. With that said, I am increasingly glad we got a second opinion & changed hospitals mid-stream (despite the now countless times I have been asked the same battery of questions each visit and allllll the extra blah blah blah about stuff we already know) Things just seem to be getting clearer & clearer over here. After the left/right errors in the info sent to Dr Kong and the lack of certain imaging (no lymph nodes??) in one case, today I found out that I have been downgraded to good 'ol STAGE 1. Apparently Ascension uses an out-of-date staging system (8+ years out of date to be exact) So we are back on track and were assured this is a very common and extremely treatable situation.

We had an excellent visit with the new Oncologist Dr Lubna Chaudry today. She did a concise job of detailing my situation and the simple (potential) course action ahead. We are still waiting for one more genetic test to come back next week to clarify things. But the very good news is that I found out yesterday that I have ZERO genetic mutations for breast cancer so that rules out BRCA and 12 others that would lead me down a more aggressive treatment path. Dr Chaudry is knowledgeable, thorough and caring. Exactly what we need moving forward. Git 'er done. We also now have the opportunity to be part of a current "no risk/potential high gain" clinical trial she is heading up. This includes taking a hormone blocking pill now with the chance of reducing/stopping the cell reproduction BEFORE the surgery, in addition to the common standard protocol of taking the same pill at the end of BC treatment. So I went for it. I can start as soon as tomorrow. It feels ok and I can stop any time if I have any adverse effects. With all this said, I am still extremely grateful for ALL the great care I have been given thus far. The weeks of TLC at Ascension unfolded gracefully just when I needed it. Surgery will officially be scheduled after I meet with the plastic surgeon next week. Tomorrow is just an easy peasy ultrasound so Dr Kong can properly see my lymph nodes. The MRI results have already been evaluated for no activity, but I know she wants to check it out for herself.

I can honestly say I haven't felt any real fear popping up since this whole thing began and I credit this to three main things: the seamless flow of caring care at both facilities, ALL of you holding my hand (both IRL and through the ethers!) and ME trusting my finely tuned (now more than ever) intuition each and every step of the way. It's a journey. Thank you for being here. <3

ADDED NOTE: Ultrasound (9/18) was very quick & easy (20 minutes total with parking) Results were instant. Lymph nodes are clear. Matched up to MRI. It all tracks.