Around the World in 80 Days

Why the title? I haven't read Jules Verne's classic novel, but I am vaguely familiar with the adventures of the rich Englishman, Phileas Fogg.  Although my adventures differ from those of Phileas, it has been 80 days of ups and downs, twists and turns and a lot of stress, much like his!

Today marked 80 days since I had my routine mammogram!  This morning, I went to the Women's Center and had another mammogram...the most stress-free mammogram I've ever had.  The happenings of the past 80 days were fresh in my mind as I walked across the parking lot into the center. If I am counting correctly, it was my seventh trip into the Women's Center since August 20th and my 16th or 17th trip to the Apple Hill Health Campus.  All of my docs, my surgical center and my radiation therapy center are located on the campus. Located slightly less than three miles from our home, it takes about seven minutes to drive there.  That will be convenient when I begin my radiation treatments (rads) because I am slated to have 33 of them!

As you know from the Retraction post, we were awaiting the results of the Oncotype DX Assay.  On Tuesday, Bob and I met with Dr. Tabatabai, my medical oncologist.  During that appointment, the doctor explained that my cancer was very small and the cancer in the lymph nodes was microscopic and unless the Oncotype shows something extraordinary, I will not need chemo.  Bob and I could both feel the weight of the world floating off of our shoulders.  Of course, the pragmatic Charlene said "I've defied the odds before, what are the chances?"  The doctor responded with 5%. 

That evening, I spoke with Dr. Richard Jones, director of bone marrow transplants and a professor at Johns Hopkins.  Rick was one of Dave's roommates at Bucknell, whom I've known for more than 35 years.  I am certain that Dave would have called him following my diagnosis if he were living, so I decided to reach out to him.  Rick graciously took my pathology reports and the additional information that I relayed to him, as noted in the following paragraphs, and discussed my case with the breast cancer experts at JH. He wrote to me yesterday and said the docs concur with the treatment plan.  

The immediate future is looking much brighter and clearer. The next morning, I phoned the radiation oncologist's office to inquire if I could change my appointment from Nov. 15th to something sooner, as I am anxious to get started on the rads so that I can finish up before Christmas.  Yes!  11:00 the following day.  So, yesterday, Bob and I met with Dr. Fortier for our second visit.  He understood my sense of urgency to get started.  Not that he "burst my bubble", but he said "let's make sure every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted. The Oncotype is not back yet. You need to have a mammogram, a CT scan, simulation..." and I could see more days flying off of the calendar.  He phoned to check on the status of the Oncotype only to find that the lab where the tissue was sent was unable to complete the test due to an insufficient specimen.  So, he called Dr. Tabatabai and discussed with him how to proceed.  The local pathology lab would be contacted to learn if another tissue sample of mine was available to send out. (Oh great, here goes another 2 weeks waiting for results and more stress!)  Before I left the appointment, I was scheduled for today's mammogram and the simulation next Tuesday. 

I called my friend to update her on my visit and then drove to Giant to pick up a few groceries. I threw the groceries in the trunk and hopped in my car and before pushing the ignition, I listened to a voicemail from Dr. Tabatabai on our home phone. He was calling to report that none of my tissue samples at the lab had any cancer cells and therefore, there will be no Oncotype DX Assay test.  He mentioned it was a good problem to have.  We will proceed with rads and 10 years of anti-estrogen drug. 

So....no chemo, 33 rads and 10 yrs of meds. I won't be finished before Christmas, however.  It will likely extend into early January. 

We've come full circle, a bit like Phileas Fogg.  That's the course of treatment the doctor told me to expect the morning I had my DCIS diagnosis delivered.  In the interim, the scare with the 2mm spot of invasive lobular cancer, the nixing of the brachytherapy, the MRI, the lymph node surgery, the positive results, and the Oncotype Assay. The best part...my prognosis has not changed!

I'm grateful beyond words.  I know that you were able to sense my fears and my stress.  Thank you for your words of kindness, encouragement and compassion.  Please know that each gift, note, card, email, text and phone call mean the world to me.  "Team Char" is amazing!  Thank you!

A quick note about my friend.  She had her seventh treatment today.  Her comments to me are always positive and encouraging, citing that 'this is the easiest part yet'!  I don't know how I would have gotten to this point without her.  Our friendship is a blessing.  Thanks, my dear friend.