UH-OH...THIS IS NOT REAL BUT IT IS. THE SECOND INSTALLMENT OF MY JOURNEY TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER

The biopsy of my tumor, The Evil Twins, came out positive, the surgeon said Stage 1 (good) but the MRI said they were nearly Stage 2.  Indeed, that third little dark spot was a shadow.  I was given orders for a breast specific MRI - in a machine dedicated  to just that.  Both breasts are done and it took about 40 minutes.

I had an itch on my face I couldn't scratch.  And in that position, face down, I admit I drooled a little.  Apparently, everyone does.  That was the worst part.  Headphones played soft jazz, but the noise canceled it out.  Piece of cake.

Waiting for the results was horrible.  Reading the written report, and reading it over and over again, I got really surprised and happy.  No axillary nodes were involved.  During the biopsy, my surgeon put a clip in there to guide him to the tumor.  To the left was a tiny intramammary node with no significant signs of metastatic cancer and the axillary nodes were clear.  YIPPEE!

I put on a black jersey shirt with funny satin birds and went in with a great attitude to the surgeon two days later.  I was getting that lumpectomy and walking out with a smile.

Oh no?

Read, but overlooked was a little something called HER2 positive.  Didn't know what that was.  Didn't even think to look. And he's talking about estrogen receptor being negative - Good!  But the HER2 positive...not good.  He'd be giving radioactive dye to find microscopic cells that the MRI didn't show.  As he wrote notes, he said there'd be chemo for maybe 3 months, and a daily pill for a year.  And oh yes, he'd most likely be removing lymph nodes.

WHAT?  THE LYMPH NODES ARE CLEAR.  IT SAID SO IN THE REPORT FROM THE MRI!

As the top of my head slowly exploded, I asked about local chemo physicians in the area - my neighbor has used 3 of them.  I would have to choose - he worked with them all.

I don't remember him telling me that my cancer is a rapidly spreading, aggressive one - bur that's why he will taking lymph nodes as necessary.  And when I left the office, the calls to the American Cancer Society began.  They have oncology nurse volunteers.  They are wonderful.  Ask for them.

That's what's going to happen on Monday, so don't expect anything much from me that day.

Oh, crap!  I'm going to have a drain?  Oh, crap!  I'm going to have a port in my chest for the chemo? Don't let that scare you either.  It's a "procedure".  You'll hurt. Maybe get bruising on your chest.  It goes into a big vein so the chemo doesn't destroy the smaller ones.  I'm going to handle it.  You will too, if you need it.

I've been viewing youtubes on the subject today, and talked with a wonderful 3 times cancer surviving nurse - every 7 years she gets a new cancer.  And she's not even HER2 positive.  It's about attitude and fighting fear along with fighting the enemy who resides in you.  She was great to speak with.  She asked me to keep in touch.

My cancer is not a slow grower.  But maybe I've caught it in time.  My surgeon has an exemplary reputation; the nurse today, Linda, uses him.  And she recommended an oncologist.

Well, when my hair starts falling out, out from my jewelry collection comes the REALLY BIG EARRINGS AND I'LL GET FALSE EYELASHES.  I'm going for the bold, bald look.  I'm short, and if I oil my dome, maybe people can use me for a mirror.  My well-chewed fingernails will fall out, too.  Girls all know how that can be fixed.

I've got my battle suit on.  ONWARD!

A neighbor brought me a bottle of Riunite and ginger ale!!!!  My dear internet friend, Lady Eowyn, from Fellowship of the Minds has offered whole days of prayer for me and so has her group and is sending me flowers tomorrow.  No one ever sends me flowers!!!!!!!  THANK YOU, CELIE AND EOWYN.  And dear MAD JEWESS, whose mother is a cancer survivor is offering me prayers, too.  From so many of you who have prayed and thought of me - I send you my love and appreciation.

I will kill the Evil Twins.  They don't have a chance.  Not with me. Their children will never grow and contaminate me.  That's a fact of life.

Say a little prayer for me.......

If I'm not here for a couple of days, I'll be back.

Don't worry.


But then there is this!   <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XdLyMhNdcSc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here's something on the drug of choice for HER2.  I guess if you get congestive heart failure and not cancer, it's OK?  

http://www.herceptin.co.nz/patient-support-section/frequently-asked-questions/ 

If you're curious about ports for IV infusions and their insertions, go here:

 https://www.google.com/search?noj=1&site=webhp&source=hp&ei=qgzfUaO5Can64AOizoGYCw&q=chemotherapy+port+placement&oq=CHEMOTHERAPY+PO&gs_l=tablet-gws.1.1.0l3.7115.19937.0.26204.15.15.0.0.0.0.614.4550.0j5j3j3j2j2.15.0.eqrwrth...0...1.1.19.tablet-gws.rkbj4hCl6sM