So, this is a catch-up post, and a distant early warning.
First, the warning: I may be radio silent for a few days next week. Maybe not. But maybe. It could happen. If it goes that way, this is why.
I have breast cancer and will be having a unilateral mastectomy during the week of March 16. I’m in good hands, and aside the fact that I have breast cancer (argh!), I’m fairly sanguine about the surgery, which will be what’s called a “simple mastectomy” — i.e. without reconstruction, which was my informed and freely-made choice.
Right now, it appears that I’ve drawn a card from the top of the deck, as the surgeon believes that I will not require either radiation or chemotherapy, though I will have to take an aromatase inhibitor to be named later. I’ll note that this news is a little previous, since my sentinel lymph nodes still need to be surveyed. This will happen concurrently with the larger surgery. If there’s any funny business discovered at that point, then more extreme therapy will be necessary. I won’t know that for sure until after results come back from pathology, but I’m hoping the better outcome continues to maintain.
For updates until I’m back online, check in with Steve on Facebook, which is where he hangs out most nowadays. Here’s the link.
. . .I believe that catches us all up.
Everybody stay healthy.
Today’s blog post title is brought to you by Aladdin. Here’s your link
Take care of yourself! My best wishes for a successful surgery and recovery. 🙂
My very best wishes for the very best prognosis and a very speedy recovery.
Good luck and may the Force be with you. I will be thinking of you and praying for a great outcome. I am so grateful for the world of Liaden, I have come to think of you and Steve as friends. Bless you both. Much love.
Wishing you a speedy and full recovery. And yes, #fuckcancer indeed.
Very best wishes, Sharon!
Best of luck! I had breast cancer six years ago – and that was that. May your experience be the same.
Sending healing thoughts. Mac the Maine Coon sends them, too
So sorry you are facing this ordeal. I hope things go smoothly and the news is favorable from the lab.
I’m sorry to hear about the need for surgery but so happy that it was found early enough not to require major efforts. I will be thinking of you and also saying some prayers (I hope that’s OK)
Fuck cancer with a rusty chainsaw. Very sorry to hear you are pledging to this sorority. I’ve been a member for nearly nineteen years, and am still causing trouble. Best wishes for a speedy, uncomplicated and complete recovery.
If you have any questions (nurse, have the lopsided t-shirt, etc.) feel free to ping me.
Sharon,
I had the same thing happen to me 6 years ago. It was so contained and of such a type that I only needed surgery. I then took Letrozale for 4 or 5 years (I don’t remember). No problems with the letrozale other than hair growing on my chin. Hair on the top of my head thinned out, but that could just be age (I am 67 this month).
…oh yah, I got the reconstruction and hate it.
Do good and feel well. We all love as much of you as we can.
I and my 1.7 boobs send best wishes!
(I got lucky with mine – chemo killed it, and I only needed a lumpectomy. Still not fun, but a lot less healing to do after.)
Trash cancer!
My thoughts are with you.
Sending you good wishes for a fast and pain-free recovery (as much as is possible, in any event), and for good survey results.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Sharon. May the surgery gods and goddesses take care of you, and return you to good health soon.
I’m so sad to hear this but it sounds like you have a good prognosis. Good. I’ll be keeping up with Steve then. Sending lots of good thoughts for you all & hoping for the best. ?
Fuck cancer! ?
May it all go well. Blessed be.
Cancer does suck. Big time. I just feel lucky that my mom, my best friend and I have all survived thus far. My best friend of thirty plus years and I BOTH got breast cancer last year. My mom got it a couple of years ago. Now you have it. At this point, the magic unicorn will be the person I speak to that hasn’t had it AND doesn’t know anyone who’s had it. You’re tough though. You’ll get through this. Take the pain meds. Do as little as possible. You’ll recover faster that way.
Hi Sharon,
Good luck on a speedy and uncomplicated recovery.
I know from my experience working at the Medway Oncology Centre here in the UK, treatments are improving all the time and having great and lasting success.
I hope these cats give you a bit of joy.
https://www.jacquielawson.com/ecard/pickup/r26d842e22117409795d31764eb74c518?source=jl999&utm_medium=pickup&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=receivercontent
– and that was that.
Like Margaret above, I wish for you the virtually painless recovery that I experienced. I started by thinking that the lump I found was a death sentence, and ended—after outpatient surgery, radiation treatments, and letrozole—in wonder that this “death sentence” had turned into what was really a very minor blip on the landscape of my life. Color me amazed and full of gratitude.
May it be virtually the same for you!
Cancer sucks. My hopes for a speedy recovery and clear lymph nodes.
Wishing you a rapid and pain-free recovery. May your medical staff provide you with the best possible care, and your procedure be easy.
Hum… You are quite the warrior. Hoping for a quick recovery.
Like many others here, breast cancer has affected my family. My mom was diagnosed two years ago. Like yours, surgery and a daily pill was her outcome (which was good because she had Hodgkins back in 1988 and already had her fill of radiation and chemo). Thankfully technology AND knowledge is so much better now than it used to be. Good luck with everything!!!
I am a breast cancer survivor (twice) and am still going strong. I wish you all the best. It seems you have been going through a bit of a rough patch recently. I am sure all will be plain sailing and sunny skies going forward.
I too am on Letrozole – 9 years on.
Best wishes for a smooth course through these troubled waters. Hugs!
Best wishes and a speedy recovery.
Wishing you the speediest and smoothest road to full health possible.
Thinking of you! May the warmth of hope lighten your heart and the skill of medicine heal your body
You know already that I am hoping for the best and sending healing thoughts. Cindy
Wishing you the best!
A Jewish prayer of healing for you, Sharon:
Mi shebeirach avoteinu
M’kor hab’racha l’imoteinu
May the source of strength,
Who blessed the ones before us,
Help us find the courage to make our lives a blessing,
and let us say, Amen.
Mi shebeirach imoteinu
M’kor habrachah l’avoteinu
Bless those in need of healing with r’fuah sh’leimah,
The renewal of body, the renewal of spirit,
And let us say, Amen.
(I’ve been reading Liaden on the last few months and have been thoroughly enjoying the series on my Kindle! Thx!)
I had breast cancer three years ago. I had a lumpectomy and radiation but no chemo because my oncotype numbers were very low. I think you are making wise choices and wish you the very easiest of surgeries and quick healing!
Best Wishes & Prayers…
Take care body and soul.
Diana F
Every good wish for a complete and successful outcome
So very sorry to read this. Here’s hoping all goes as well as can be, and that you have an easy recovery.
Cancer can just eff off!
Everybody else has said it all, but I add my best wishes for a successful surgery and swift recovery!
As a survivor myself (since 1983) I can tell you not all outcomes are bad. My prayers are with you and Steve. Best wishes.
I follow your work as faithfully as I can, I read all I can find that the two of you write. Sending the best thoughts, wishes, vibes, hopes, dreams, and prayers your way. Love to you both, and the cats, of course.
Best wishes and praying for a speedy recovery and no cancer in the lymph nodes. I survived breast cancer 7 years ago just surgery and radiation. My mother survived one breast removal 22 years ago.
Sharon, I wish for you God’s guidance and wisdom for the doctors and nurses on your team. May the treatment plan be the limited one and may you heal fully with minimal discomfort. Take care of yourself. And Steve, you are going to be carrying a big load. Don’t forget to take care of yourself as well with plenty of rest and recuperative times other than work.
Sharon best wishes for a successful surgery and speedy recovery! Steve will be in good hands as the cats will keep in line.
Best wishes and speedy recovery.
Sending you positive thoughts.
Well damn. I finished my radiation after lumpectomy right at two years ago this month. Wasn’t ER or PR positive, so no aromatase inhibitor for me. Glad they are doing the sentinel lymph node; that way they will only take one out if the sentinel is clear (which mine was). Sounds like you’ve got a surgeon that’s on top of the latest procedures which is good news. Hoping your surgery has a good outcome with no unpleasant surprises and you have a speedy and uneventful recovery.
Best wishes.
Best wishes that Murphy (of the Law) stays far away – or better yet, takes aim at the cancer instead of you and your care team. Hugs if you want them, cat purrs if you need them!
I send prayers, and good thoughts to you and your family. I hope you have a speedy recovery.
I hope that everything goes as planned, with no nasty surprises. I will be thinking about you and wishing you the very best.