To Chemo or not to Chemo?

Waiting has never been one of my talents.  I’ll admit, I even tell secrets I’m not supposed to tell because I just can’t stand the excitement of waiting.  (But only good secrets). 

Yesterday, when we were told that it will be another two weeks for a definitive decision on my treatment plan, I was, well , ready to put a staple gun to my head – almost.   But I got over that, since more than waiting, I hate pain.

We were at the cancer center from 2:30 pm until almost 6:00 and had lots and lots of information downloaded on us, so this morning, I had Kate, my dear daughter-in-law who is a nurse, exegete what exactly happened.  It was still a lot of stuff.

I have come away with four salient points, so I don’t bore you to tears:

1)      There is a 50/50 chance I may NOT need chemo!!  But we won’t know for two more weeks.

2)      My particular cancer tumor showed that it was 100% estrogen receptor positive (dependent). This  is actually a good thing because it means that any microscopic cells that could have been missed can be actively controlled by taking an anti estrogen pill for the next 5 years.    At this point, that is the only part of my regimen that is certain.  This  treatment basically starves the estrogen cells to death.  So as the medical oncologist said,

 “Chemo smashes the cancer cells to death; the anti-estrogen procedure starves them.”

3)  The tumors (actually I had two) are being sent to a special lab for “oncotype testing” (genetic testing of the cancer cells to determine the recurrence possibilities) and determine whether chemo is the best way forward in addition to the anti-estrogen pill.

4)      After this first decision is made, there will be a radiation consult.  That discussion is based on the fact that the tumor margins were so close to the chest wall.

Waiting for two more weeks, so that I may not need chemo is well worth the wait.  And you know, David in the Psalms, reminded me that, “People who wait on the Lord’s timing, soar with wings like eagles, run and don’t get winded, and walk and don’t pass out.”  I’ll go with the wait.

One little downside:  I had picked out this adorable little white wig with teeny tiny 2 inch dreadlocks, all over my head, for my new look. . .  (remember those bathing caps?)

Thanks for listening and loving me.  Love has healing in it.

Lopsided Lois