Nuts and bolts

This recovery shit is for the birds. So wanting to do more than my body or my boyfriend allows. Went to shoo a fly yesterday and hurt myself. I mean really, shooing a fly should not be something beyond my capability.

Had three conversations yesterday with 3 different nurses.

Jackie - I don't like her

D____? - called on behalf of Paula and got my rage

Paula - knowledgeable and calm

After a fair amount of frustration and a bit of shouting, we seem to be back on track.

The news:

Paula says I have a beautiful pathology report! Noting new was noted until she said the grade post pathology was 2-3 (post biopsy it was graded a 3). I'm hoping that this minor adjustment on the 3 point scale might cause them to rethink their recommendation on the chemo.

She'll be talking with Dr. Naughton (oncologist) on Monday about if he feels the oncotype test would provide information that would sway treatment recommendations. Last time when I saw him, which was before genetic testing and before surgery, he was recommending chemo with no consideration of the oncotype. If he now feels like chemo is not a certainty based on the other results -- he'll want to see the oncotype as it will provide info to solidify his recommendation one way or the other. If he's still adamant on the chemo, there's probably not a huge reason to do it... Unless I'm needing more before accepting this decision.

If chemo is the decision then my next appointment would entail labs, evaluation and decision on wether to have a port installed, and then my first dose of chemo. So a one- two day visit.

I'll see both Dr. Gillanders and Dr. Naughton on this trip (August 22-23) -- just to do my post op evaluation and clearance and to find out more specifics on the chemo plan. If we do the oncotype it's 3 more weeks of waiting before we would start chemo ( or radiation). If we aren't waiting or if we aren't doing chemo at all--- well the I think the next appt. could be in a week ( but I'll find that out more when I talk with him).

My hope ( which may not come true ) is that even if I do chemo and radiation to be done by the end of the year. It's possible if we are mindful but highly dependent on things like how long of a wait is required between between chemo and radiation.

I talked a bit with Paula about the side effects of chemo she says they have gotten very good at treating most of the side effects and so few women suffer a lot of nausea or vomiting anymore. The two symptoms they are not able to really control is the intense fatigue and the "feeling of having been hit by a Mack truck." sounds like first week after treatment you have mild symptoms, 2nd week you have more intense symptoms, third week you feel better and then you get your next dose.

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