COVID, Surgery, Merry Christmas?

 Well rather than having Linda's surgery on Monday we got the joy of nasal swabs and COVID tests since we spent over an hour with possible COVID exposure at the doctor appointment on the 9th.  This time the swabs were shorter so not the full brain probe but they swabbed longer.  Maybe the deeper probe option is more enjoyable since it's quicker even though it's a bit more uncomfortable?  Really we're talking about is it better to get a not so desirable experience over quicker or not.  We both tested negative but quarantined per the guidance.

Anyway, two new developments: 

1) Linda has a new surgery date: January 7th. So at least now we have a date but I know she is very disappointed to have to wait until then.

2) We met with the oncologist (virtual - we're on quarantine!).  She said that the likely path is surgery, radiation (if recommended), likely an aromatase inhibitor (5 year pill that has some side effects).   It surely isn't enjoyable but as we discussed Linda's path from last time (very strong chemo, deliver baby 3 months early, more very strong chemo, surgery, two different types of more chemo, extensive radiation, bone strengthener) it seemed like a better and quicker path.

Thanks again for all the warm wishes and support!

Rob.

And... not so fast...

I recognized that in my last post I didn't even say anything about being in a pandemic in the midst of this.  We just are very careful since we've both had medical issues in the past. Fortunately, operating in this "pandemic environment" isn't so difficult for us since we don't need to interact "live" with others much.

Linda had her COVID test on Thursday and got to experience the joy of a brain tickle.  She agreed with me that it's like when you have wasabi/horseradish too fast and your eyes water.  Just a little uncomfortable but not painful.  She was negative so all systems were "go" for surgery tomorrow.

Well, the surgeon's office called.  Surgery is off due to COVID within the surgery center where we were on Wednesday for over an hour but everyone was masked up and we were heavy on the Avaguard D.

We're both bummed that we have to take this alternate route but there always are detours along any journey like this.  So, we're rolling with the detour and sounds like they'll be back to surgeries after the holiday.  Since the tumor appears slow-growing and small we can afford to wait a bit longer but were hopeful to get things moving.  Once we get a new surgery date planned I'll share that.

Thank you to everyone for all your support and notes of encouragement!  We appreciate it!

Rob.

A Crummy Sequel?

Did you want a sequel?  No, me neither.  Yet, here we are.

Sequels are rarely better than the original.  However, in the case, the news is better than the first one, even though the theme is the same.  

Linda has breast cancer again.  It is a new primary tumor, so not related to the one from 12 years ago.  Also, for those that didn't know, she found out a few years ago she has a genetic mutation which makes her more prone to certain cancers, especially breast cancer.  It is called PALB2.  The good news is that knowing she has this genetic predisposition means that she is scanned preventively on a regular basis so if they find something it is caught early.  We have been going to OHSU and locally for these scans.  This most recent breast cancer was found via her preventative MRI which is why they found it while it was early in progression.

She had a MRI, and ultrasound which indicated it was 7mm - 10mm (1cm) so still small.  The biopsy indicated it was DCIS (contained), ER+ (better type than last time).  They will confirm this when they remove the tumor since the biopsy isn't always 100%.

Plan is to have surgery on Monday, Dec 14th.  They will just remove the tumor for now.  If the tumor tests as DCIS (contained) then she won't need a sentinel node (lymph node) biopsy so much better overall.

After surgery we will meet with the Oncologist to determine the best path forward (radiation and/or other treatments like aromatase inhibitors).

Everything indicates a better path this time (well, and she doesn't have another living being inside her) so we're hopeful for a less winding road.

Speaking of Ava Darlene, we realized many years after her birth that her name matches up with the Avaguard D sanitizer we used all the time in the NICU before we settled on her name. I wonder if seeing that all the time helped guide us toward picking her name?

I'll provide an update after the surgery.

Rob.