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JoAnn, I hope you are okay. Please update when you can, you’ve got a bunch of sisters worrying about you.
Love you, sweet sister.
Claire
Okay Sisters, I’m home after a long day of a Dr. appointment, lunch, shopping and calling all of my children. My friend came with me and she was wonderful.
And, because all of you, my dear ones, were with me, I hope you enjoyed the shopping!
The good news is the pathology report could not have been better. The biopsy removed the entire mass (remember, no matter how small it is, it’s still called a mass–it was 4mm or about an eighth of an inch) with clear margins (no cancer cells at the edges of the biopsy tissue sample, which was about the size of a small grape.
The bad news is the surgeon has recommended a lumpectomy to remove a much larger tissue sample to make sure that they got everything and then a six week course of five day per week radiation, followed by five years of Tamoxifin (google it–the side effects are worse than the disease).
Or…a complete mastectomy (with reconstructive surgery) with no radiation, but either chemotherapy or Tamoxifin or both, per whatever the oncologist recommends.
Or, if I really wanted to be certain that I don’t get cancer in the future, I could choose a double mastectomy with either chemo or Tamoxifin or both, but that would eliminate the need for radiation.
The good news is….FUCK THAT!
Sorry doc, but I worked oncology for years. I taught nurses to give chemo, and, I worked in Hospice for the last 10 years of my career.
I know the stats. I know the numbers. And, I know all cancer doctors love overkill.
I listened, never challenged, just asked to hear all of the options and agreed when he said that I should get an MRI to see if there were any other suspicious areas. I will do that after Thanksgiving.
So, here’s my plan (Dr, doesn’t know it yet.)
Possible lumpectomy, but probably not.
Never any radiation.
Never any Tamoxifin.
Never any chemotherapy.
Daily doses of Cordyceps (Chinese Caterpillar–google it) that my son is sending me from China to boost my immune system and kill any leftover cancer cells.
Increase my exercise program from 3 to 5 days a week.
Eliminate all meat (I only eat chicken 3-4 times a week and beef maybe once a month).
Eat fresh fish 3 times a week, vegetarian the rest of the time (hey, I live on an island–lots of fish here).
Mammograms every six months.
Live happily ever after until at least 2043.
That’s the plan.
When the surgeon hears my plan he will probably refuse to take care of me, but that’s nothing new, I have pissed off many doctors in my lifetime and I will happily continue to do so.
Modern ‘medicine’ is so damned counter intuitive.
I feel wonderful and I think that the biopsy and the removal of the ‘mass’ along with marginal tissue is sufficient.
I love you dear ones. Thank you so much for all the strength you gave me today. ~ JoAnn
You are AWESOME!
I would do the same thing. I lost my Dad to cancer and I don’t think it was the cancer that killed him. It was the radiation that killed him. They targeted his throat, which as you know, killed all his good cells, he couldn’t eat any solid foods, he slowly declined, losing a lot of weight, and then having organs shut down, it was HORRIBLE. I told myself after all of that (and that is a really shortened version of the whole ordeal) that I would never have radiation.
I’m not a doctor or nurse, but it sure sounds like you know what to do and I think you will live much longer and happier with your plan rather than the doctor’s plan.
Love you girl. Hope you enjoyed the shopping. Did you get anything good? 🙂 Do tell!
Claire
Thanks for the update JoAnn. For what it’s worth, I totally applaud your plan. As I was reading the options your doctor gave you my heart was sinking and I was thinking “no, no, no”. And the best news of all is that you feel wonderful. Love you!
Joann I am late in seeing this but wanted to let you know I am thinking of you. Thanks for starting this site which has helped so many of us. I will be praying for you. <3
Dearest JoAnn
I have just caught up with these messages now. I have been out of it for a while. I am so so sorry to hear what you have been through. I find so much courage in your way of dealing with all of us. Praying for your continued wisdom and strength xxxWell, no surprise there JoAnn. They attempt to kill you with the cure. I completely agree with your plan and as I said…I would probably have done things differently if I was doing it now. I wouldn’t touch tamoxifen. I took arimidex for 2 years and felt like I was 100 instead of 50. I finally threw it in the bin and started estrogen gel. I had to source it myself as no one would prescribe it to me. I know there is a supposed increased risk of dying (my tumour liked both estrogen and progesterone)but I wanted to live while I was still on the planet. 😉 I cannot tell you the difference it made to how I felt physically, emotionally and psychologically.
I just want to add that if you decide to go with the lumpectomy it may not be that traumatic. My surgeon did a beautiful job of reshaping the breast and the scar was barely perceptible. Unfortunately I had subsequent lumps and surgeries and he was left with less to work with.
I’m thrilled to hear your results and your plan. You know I still get check ups in Singapore so what is this herb you are on about? Maybe I will pick some up next trip but can you only source it in Asia?Delighted with your update, Love Karen
So happy they got the mass cleanly. And I love your plan. The best defense is a great offense, and increasing your own bodies immune defenses would be my choice, too.
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