The Other Side of Healthcare

So, it's now been 2 weeks since Mom's mastectomy.  As many of you know from personal experience, she wouldn't let a little cancer keep her down!  As I shared in my last post, Mom was able to make it to TJ's High School Graduation the day after her surgery.  Doesn't she look great?!

Over the last 2 weeks Mom has been resting up and seeing her doctors for follow-ups.  Both her breast surgeon and her plastic surgeon have been very pleased with her recovery.  As I mentioned in my last post, both of the nodes that they took during surgery came back negative for cancer cells from the frozen section.  Further testing on the nodes was completed and 1 lab stain did not show any tumor cells in either node.  A second stain showed an isolated tumor cell in each node.  Dr. Goulet still considers the nodes negative and her cancer a Stage I.  Isn't that great news?!

Dr. Goulet did also recommended doing further ONCO testing that will determine the likelihood for recurrence and it is this test that will, in fact, guide her ongoing treatment. We are hoping the results of this test will be back by July 1st.  Mom has an appointment with her oncologist, Dr. Bolla, on July 3rd.  Obviously it would be ideal for the results of the ONCO test to be in to his office before then, but I don't think anyone is asking our opinions.  ;)  As Mom has mentioned, she's not a big fan of being on the other side of healthcare.  I'm sure most of you that are clinicians can relate.

All-in-all, the last 2 weeks have gone pretty smoothly as far as her physical recovery. Emotionally she is still on a roller coaster.  I can say that all of the love and support she has received from her family, HRH family and friends has been amazing.  I know that she appreciates it all beyond words.  Thank you doesn't seem enough for all of the thoughts, prayers, food, flowers, cards, etc. that have been coming her way.  I'm not sure she knew just how much everyone loves her.  I hope that it's abundantly clear now.

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you."
-Walt Whitman

Keep Calm & Fight On
-Meg