Tues April 28th

Well my first day back to work started off HORRIBLY! I received 2 tickets on the way to work! I should have turned around and gone home! I can't remember the last time I got a ticket!

Anyway... work was o.k. Our computers system has been acting up so it was a bit frustrating to have it go up and down. It was good to get back and try to get caught up.

The best part of Monday was the oncology visit. The PET scan showed clear! That means that it does not show any cancer throughout my body. That is awesome news! I have been pretty anxious over the last week waiting to hear. We are now waiting for the surgeon to give us the go ahead that I am fully healed and can start chemo.

I saw the surgeon today and he had to aspirate some more fluid from the surgical sites. He also started me on some antibiotics just as a precaution. Normally it should take 4 - 6 weeks for total recovery. I must admit that I am not in a rush to start chemo.

Now...you all may be wondering...if the cancer was in my breast...and now it's gone...why chemo?

Good question! I will try to answer the best I can....which means- what I can remember!

The normal course of treatment when cancer is found in the lymph nodes is chemo and Tamoxifen for 5 years.

Basically....I could stop right now and not proceed with any further treatment. BUT....the rate of reoccurance is fairly high.

The doctor explained that by completing chemo alone the reoccurance rate is reduced significantly. By doing the chemo and the tamoxifen it is reduced further still.

Although there is nothing that will totally eliminate the chance of reoccurance...I believe that I need to do whatever there is to increase my chances for healthy living and survival!