Was There any Cancer Left? Pathology Results

My supportive husband working through my treatment

The big question after all of the treatment and surgeries that I have been through is... was there any cancer left?  Were my lymph nodes positive for breast cancer?  How about my inner and intra mammary nodes? You know those big white spots that never changed in size throughout treatment.

Well I got some answers and still have some question marks.

My wonderful surgeon Dr. Duggal came in while I was still in the ICU and shared with me my results.  Basically speaking she told me that my invasive cancer was 100% gone. I did have one small noninvasive cancer that showed up in one of my milk ducts.  The intramammary node that was within my breast tissue was also negative, although it had not changed in size.  That meant that it was just a prominent node meaning larger but not cancerous. I also had a questionable abnormal internal mammary lymph node that was not removed and cannot be biopsied because it is behind my chest wall. All in all my surgeon was very very pleased with these results.  Basically I had a 99% response to the chemotherapy and of course by the grace of God. They were able to remove the one noninvasive duct that had a small amount of cancer in it.  That means I should not have any remaining cancer traveling throughout my body. My lymph nodes in my right arm came back negative as well! They did remove 4 axillary nodes to biopsy them, but they all came back negative praise God!!

The big question mark is that one internal mammary lymph node.  It has not changed in size, similar to the other node that was within my breast but turned out to be a prominent node. My radiation oncologist told me a few weeks back that he was not convinced that I would need radiation.  He wasn't convinced that that node was cancerous since everything else responded so well to the treatment that it wouldn't make any sense for these other nodes to not change in size at all.  So he is thinking it isn't cancerous.  To be sure though he was going to present my case to the board of oncologists that meet monthly.  My prayer is that they will have great wisdom regarding my case and will be 100% sure of what is best for me.  I am willing to accept either course and will trust that God will guide us to the right decision. 

Tomorrow March 1, 2017, I will be heading back to the Wexford Health and Wellness Pavilion to receive my 3rd of 11 treatments of Herceptin. I have to have my blood work drawn up before each treatment.  The last two times I have had elevated liver enzymes which should not be a side effect of Herceptin.  They will be keeping a very close eye on that. I have been trying really hard this last month to refrain from anything that would effect my liver. I am prayerful that my numbers are back to normal.  Herceptin is infused the same way as chemotherapy and was part of my chemo cocktail.  It is much easier on its own but does have some side effects.  I have noticed a few being sore joints and bone pain. I feel a little older these days :) . Tomorrow I will meet with my oncologist and will hopefully get the results of that conference with the board regarding my need for radiation.  

Herceptin round 1

Herceptin round 2

Will you join me in praying for my results.  I would like my blood work to return to normal levels and my liver enzymes to be down from three weeks ago.

My Liver Detox Smoothie!

Also join me in praying for the results of my need for radiation.  Pray that whatever answer they give me would be the right answer, would be His answer for me!

Although I am done with the intense chemotherapy, I am far from done with this fight.  The fight now is to keep the cancer away.  Please continue to keep me and my family in your prayers.  I am about a month out from my lifting restrictions to be lifted.  My body is still healing from my surgery.  I still have funny feelings in my arms and hands and am going through many changes in my body.  Please don't stop praying for me!  I need them!

Thank you for all of your love and support!  I will update after I get my results!

Love,
Amanda

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