Okay, finally, a live update from the cancer patient.
Actually, I probably don't have cancer right now. The surgeon, Dr. Jerome Stefanko (more on him later) chopped big old chunks out of both breasts and I would say that makes me cancer free.
Modern medicine is amazing. If I hadn't had cancer (remember we think it is OUT of me right now) I would have loved this whole interlude. So many interesting machines and processes and I have been so pleased with my doctors and health care personnel.
I think most of you have heard that surgery on Tuesday went well and that I do have cancer in both breasts but do NOT have anything in my lymph nodes. The cancer in my left breast was a lump (about 3 cm) and pretty easy for him to find and chop out. The cancer in my right breast was "in situ" and not yet invading and was a total headache for them to find and then chop out. I guess my breasts are really dense. Every time one of these people says that I keep thinking that there should be a dumb blonde joke in there somewhere. Anyway, the whole pre-op scene was a bit much, but I realize they had do a lot of various things to SAVE my breasts which in the end I am very thankful.
Until today I thought that I might be in love with my surgeon. He is smart, good-looking, and kind. Here is a picture to help you understand my feelings.
To date, he has done an excellent job of explaining my situation, offering the options, and then cutting out the cancer and following up to check on me.
You should see the seams on my four incisions (two on each breast and two for lymph node investigation.) This guy should be Armani's number one tailor creating world-class suits. It all looks so clean and nice.
Anyway, as have lived and died for his phone call the last three days I thought I might have fallen in love with him. Today I realized that I am just using him until I get to the oncologist who I think may be my real Knight in Shining Armor. Anyway, it is all for the best as Dr. Stefanko appears to be happily married with two perfect kids. I think at this point I am just happy to know not only that people like this exist, but that they are put in charge of my health care.
While extolling the virtues of Kaiser staff, I would be remiss if I did not tell the world about Dr. Sherry Butler who is the radiologist who found my cancer and gave me the bad news. This woman is a SAINT and then some. If you think you might have cancer, you should have her tell you. She is so nice and empathetic yet also so incredibly smart.
I think I *would* be in love with her if she did not seem so "other worldly" and perhaps some sort of angel or prophet.
Finally, you have to check out my primary, Dr. Svasti Patel, who is not only fabulously beautiful but has been a great connector in helping me figure out who to go to when:
Believe me, her picture does not do her justice. I am quite sure that whoever sets up the web sites could not stand the fact that someone so smart and nice is also a stone cold fox and put that picture up on the web.
Okay. This email has gotten long enough so I will sign off for now. If anyone is still with me I can tell you that I know that I am not fighting this alone and I am so thankful for all the communication and well wishes. It has been priceless in keeping me "up."
Carolyn