More Tests Needed

Last weekend I had an MRI to determine if there were anymore cancer cells in the breast area.  The results came back that yes, there were additional areas on both sides that need to be reviewed more closely.   I have ultrasounds/biopsies scheduled for Thursday morning to collect samples to see if these additional areas are benign or malignant.  (OUCH!! And please pray that Dr. Solomon will be there to do the test and not Dr. Markel! I've had biopsies by both already and Dr. Solomon is an angel and Dr. Markel is a butcher.......in my humble opinion......just sayin')

 

Additionally I had a PET CT scan done last Saturday. This scan was to determine if I had cancer cells in any other organs or bones.  The test results showed a spot glowing on my left lung. (It's a radioactive test and abnormal cells will appear to be glowing on the test results.)  Dr. Hubbard has reviewed the test and has stated that he feels the chances of the breast cancer moving to my lungs at this stage is 1 in a million.  (Which actually reminds me of a scene in Dumb & Dumber where Mary tells Lloyd that his chances of them ending up together are 1 in a million to which he replies "So you're telling me there's a chance!!"  LOL!!)  Anyway......Dr. Hubbard has ordered a CT scan to look at the lung more closely.  He thinks that the blip on the PET CT scan may be just that - a blip.  Of course we need to know for sure.  If the spot shows up on this follow up scan, then I will definitely start my treatment with chemotherapy because this translates to Stage 4 breast cancer rather than Stage 2.  The CT scan will also be on Thursday morning after the ultrasound/biopsy procedure.  Please pray that the test reveals no abnormalities in the left lung!!

 

Thursday afternoon I meet with a doctor from MD Anderson Regional Cancer Care Center which is a part of St. Luke's (I  believe) in the Woodlands. The doctor there will look at everything that has been done so far and give me a second opinion as to treatment options.  I have been given lots of advice to use MD Anderson and just as much advice not to.  I guess at MD Anderson you don't actually get to pick your doctor and you have no choice in your treatment plan. They prescribe it for you. Not sure I like that idea although they are "the experts" in cancer treatment.  Mostly people tell me that I have to do what I feel is right in my gut....what feels right for me. Would you agree?

 

I really feel that everything is going to be all right.  It's just going to be a long process and something I never envisioned I'd have to go through.  Please continue to pray for me whenever possible.