Cancer

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I didn't want to mention anything until we knew something, but Karen had her mammogram the week before Christmas and they saw something they didn't like. She went for a biopsy the next week. We got the results Thursday.

It is cancer.

I was pretty sure when we first went in that the doctor suspected something given a couple pauses I heard to questions I asked, as well as looks and postures. I hadn't said anything to Karen.

The encouraging thing the surgeon repeated was that this was a "nuisance level" thing: treatable and recoverable. It's early, it's small and it has well defined margins, all of which are positive. We are waiting on the results indicating what type of cancer (aggressive or not). She (the surgeon) didn't have back the specifics on the cancer, as I believe the lab first exams the biopsy under the microscope to see if it's cancer, then does stains, slides and further examination to determine what type. We should have more information at her follow-up appointment this coming Thursday, (1/11).

Karen had an MRI Friday to get a better look. Surgery (hopefully just a lumpectomy) will be in 2-3 weeks. The MRI will show whether there are any other lumps (they surveyed both breasts), as well as whether there is any contamination of the lymph nodes. If it's just one lump, even if there is something in the lymph nodes, the lumpectomy should the option. The lymph nodes only determine whether the surgeon does a lymph node dissection and whether Karen needs chemotherapy afterwards as I understand it. She will need radiation after surgery regardless I believe.

We stopped on the way home from the appointment for lunch and at the craft store to pick some stuff up, like any other day. It is sinking in, but one step at a time. We’ve been spending the weekend doing some of the maintenance around the house in preparation for the next few weeks, as well as stocking groceries for us and the cats. Something to distract us as well as prepare for when she can't and I won't want to for taking care of her. Fortunately, we're mostly caught up, though there are a couple things that need to be done before May.

Karen spent the morning before her appointment playing with a Japanese painting set I gave her for Christmas. She's had quite the urge to create recently, which is a good outlet. Karen is always doing something with her hands, crocheting, tatting, stained glass. She likes painting but doesn't get to do it often. We're deciding where to go on a vacation after this is over. She thinks she either wants to go on a tour of the canyons out west, or to Norway (we have a friend from college who lives in Oslo). Something positive to look forward to.

That's what I know at the moment. We'll keep you posted.

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