Biopsy to lumpectomy by Barbara Edwards

After ten days of waiting to see the breast surgeon, I am going to be scheduled for a procedure called left breast needle localized lumpectomy. Sounds pretty official to me. And I’m still anxious.

Since I had the biopsy results I have been worried. Let’s be honest. I listened to all the advice and welcomed the support and prayers. I am still frightened. The doctor is reassuring. Only one procedure in 100 finds cancer. I was relieved for about five minutes, and then my imagination went ‘what if.’

I researched the subject of atypical ductal cells on the web. If there’s something an author is good at its research. I printed out copies since I needed to reread the information several times to understand the terminology.

What did I learn? The atypical ductal cells indicate a possibility of cancer developing. Standard treatment? Do an excision to remove the abnormal cells and test them for cancer.

If they don’t remove all the atypical cells with this lumpectomy or if the tests indicate cancer, then it’s more surgery.  One of the commenters on my blog described having this procedure and its success.

I will need anesthesia and be unconscious for the procedure, but it is outpatient. I proceed to radiology where they do a mammogram to find the marker they left after the biopsy in the first step. The area is numbed. Then they insert a needle/wire to pinpoint the spot exactly. I am taken to surgery and they excise an area about the size of a quarter. They take that tissue to the lab to test it. Three days later, yep you heard me, THREE DAYS LATER, they report if its cancer.

And I thought this was a horrendous wait.

Okay, more waiting. I’m waiting for the scheduling nurse to call me with the date. I have to have a pre-op physical with my doctor and possibly with my cardiologist to say I’m fit for surgery.

Journey of the Magi cover

I’m putting my foot down. I need to get back to my writing. No more drifting on the possibility of this or that. This has distracted me from the excitement of my new cover, the release date on September 2 and the new contract for my third paranormal.

Thank you for your support and prayers.

 

Please visit www.barbaraedwards.net for buy links, excerpts and free reads.

 

   

Filed under: writing