Testing...testing...

 Well, all of the testing that I mentioned in my previous post, they happened. 

Chest/breast MRI, bone scan, brain MRI. Results were relatively BORING (boring=nothing exciting=nothing to worry about - sorta). So, I told a teeny tiny fib to the world when I posted (on Facebook) and reported that all of the results came back "BORING". I just wanted folks to hear some good news amongst all of the crap, to have a bit of a breather before my treatment begins. 

The fib: My brain MRI demonstrated some "hyperenhancement and thickening" in an area of my brain called the Rosenmuller fossa. The radiologist didn't seem super concerned about it, BUT I WAS. I figured it most-likely was nothing, but if I just left it alone, I'm sure that I would have always wondered if I had something suspicious going on up there (insert dumb blonde brain joke here). So, I was referred to a head/neck (ENT) surgeon and they did an endoscopy (yet another test!). 

The results: BORING (for real this time, I swear). 

I had appointments with the breast surgeon and with the plastic surgeon (both WOMEN - girl power!!), and then a pre-op (surgery) appointment. The breast surgeon is in charge of taking out the cancer (I'll be having an "Axillary lymph node dissection" (ANLD), where all of the lymph nodes in my armpit area are removed). Because of this, I am at a much higher risk of lymphedema (a swelling of my chest/arm, etc. that can be pretty debilitating). I was offered an additional surgery, called a "lymphovenous bypass" (LVP). Here's a better description than I could attempt:

Lymphovenous bypass is a microsurgical procedure designed to improve lymphatic drainage by connecting small lymphatic vessels directly to nearby veins. This technique helps to reduce swelling and discomfort associated with conditions like lymphedema by allowing lymph fluid to drain into the bloodstream, thereby alleviating fluid buildup. While it is not a cure for lymphedema, it can significantly enhance mobility and quality of life for patients. 

So, I will be having that procedure as well (It's like a 2 for 1 deal!). It's a relatively new "cutting edge" procedure, so it's cool that I have the opportunity to do something to help prevent lymphedema (this surgery wasn't even available the last time I had cancer). Research and advances in medicine are important!

I also had an occupational therapy (OT lymphedema specialist) appointment (this is advised prior to surgery). She took measurements of my arm/hand, demonstrated lymphatic drainage massage, gave me a bunch of literature/info, advised me on lymphedema garments I'll need to take to surgery with me (a sleeve and a glove that they will put on me after the surgery is complete). I was told to purchase at least 2 of the sleeves and gloves so that I could switch them out as needed (those suckers are pricey!) When I visited the surgeon she had me step on a special machine, called a SOZO, I believe (looks sort of like a scale), but it measures lymph fluid and can track lymph build up at the early stages. The OT had the same machine, and they will be monitoring me over time.

This whole process started in January (if we're counting from the initial doctor appt), and I'm ready to get this show on the road! The waiting is awful. Knowing that I have cancer, and that it's in my lymph nodes, ready to be transported to any other location in my body that it pleases! is almost enough to make me take a flipping scalpel to my own armpit. I received a call last week and FINALLY got my surgery date, and it's... NEXT WEEK! The surgery is an outpatient procedure (can you believe that?), and the word on the street is that it's about a 5 hour surgery. I'll have a drain after surgery and will have physical restrictions (pretty much can't use that arm for anything useful for a few weeks - Ha! Watch me, I'm an OT...I'm pretty crafty! ;)