At the beginning of my surgery, the doctor will perform a sentinel node biopsy to see if any cancer has gone to my lymph nodes. The results of this will be processed during the rest of my surgery. If cancer is found, they will remove all the lymph nodes under my arm, if not then they won't. Doing the biopsy hopefully saves a separate surgery. I will be having a skin-sparing mastectomy on the left side. This is a day-surgery, and I will be released to go home the same day. I will have a drain attached for a number of days, and Extra Mural will be treating me/checking on me. There are risks involved with this surgery (as with all) - infection, skin-loss, lymphedema, among other things, but the incision that is left is fairly small. Recovery is 2-3 weeks on average, but depends on if you experience any complications. I will be fairly limited for a while in what I will be able to do, and I will be wearing a compression bra to reduce swelling.
My full pathology report will take three weeks to get, in order for them to analyze everything. Reconstruction can be fairly soon after recovery, depending on if I need further treatment if there happens to be anything invasive lurking in there. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the MRI had found a tiny 'spot' on the right side, but the mammogram and ultrasound didn't reveal anything, so it is not of concern at this point. I will be going back for a follow-up MRI in six-months just to see if that still checks out ok. Reconstruction would need to be scheduled with the MRI in mind, and also the fact that I still have the baby weight to lose (since I only got the go-ahead for exercise after my hematoma from the c-section in June). Thankfully, there are places in the city where i can be fitted for a mastectomy bra.
Both my parents (and Sergio their dog) are coming next week for a couple weeks to help look after the kids during my recovery, and I'm sure Darren will get my Dad to help around the house as well. It will most likely be a difficult time for Jaelyn, as I won't be able to lift her again for a while, but the dog will be a great distraction :)
I know many women in my life who have undergone bilateral mastectomies (meaning, both sides) and have faced a scarier initial prognosis. While I am sad that they had to experience this, I am grateful for their encouragement and strength.
If you are wondering what to pray for, please pray for a clear sentinel node biopsy and pathology report, a quick recovery, a clear MRI in six-months, a quick recovery from reconstruction, and that my family will be able to cope with all of it. It seems like a lot, but our God is able!
