Our Good Life participates in affiliate marketing and other forms of advertising. We only recommend products and services we believe in and think they will be of use to you.

Invasive ductal carcinoma

When I heard my doctor say to me, Terri, you have breast cancer, I was immediately numb and in shock. Thank goodness I had Bob there with me, to help me take in those words. The doctor went on and on about various things but I couldn't hear the rest. I remember faking being attentive and concerned.

Eventually I learned that my tumor is small, slow-growing, and estrogen-receptive, which are good things to hear when followed by the words "breast cancer." My doctor recommended a surgeon, made an appt for me and I met with him last week.

Surgery is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. today with a lymph node biopsy. They inject a radioactive ink into my armpit and let it lead the docs to the first series of lymph nodes. They biopsy those and a pathologist looks for cancer. Which ever nodes have cancer, they remove. Those that are cancer free remain.

Next comes the actual partial masectomy. The tumor is removed using a wire technique that I am not familiar with but that seems to guide the surgeon where to look for the tumor. The lump is removed, a test is performed that will show a pathologist the DNA of the cells to check for the likelihood of reoccurance, and the lump is painted with four different shades of ink, indicating which side of the breast that the tissue came from. If the ink touches any part of the tumor, more tissue is removed until no ink touches cancer. The very last thing that happens is that a balloon will be placed inside my breast so that I can receive radiation internally. Seeds of radiation are dropped into the balloon so basically I will receive radiation from the inside out!

Then I am stitched up and brought out to recovery. If I can hold down liquids, I am free to go home and recoop a bit. I hear I will be sore on Wednesday some and on Thursday even more but by Friday the soreness will be wearing down.

I am confident in my team of doctors but I would love to ask for prayers for God to guide their hands and minds while they work on me. I promise to come back on Friday and tell you all about it!

Would you like to comment?

  1. Anonymous7:59 AM

    I am praying for you right now dear Triplet!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My prayers are with you Terri.

    Blessings,
    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've been saying prayers and will continue to do so! You've been on my heart and mind lately with everything you and your family have been through. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Terri, you are in my heart and prayers. You will stay there!

    Love,
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  5. I woke up twice during the night and prayed for you and have thought about you all day. You will be in my prayers every day sweet friend.

    You will be okay.

    Extra hugs!
    Kat

    ReplyDelete
  6. My prayers are with and Bob as you go through this trying time.
    Amos and Giles were such a part of my growing up years as my folks always stopped at the store after Mass on Sunday mornings. It was the place to be in Wien at that time.
    May God keep his loving arms around you.
    Genny (Bocke) Wright-still from Wien

    ReplyDelete
  7. Terri, I had no idea you were dealing with something like this. Please know that I am keeping you in my prayers. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. My dear Friend,

    None of us ever want to hear those words. I am sorry you had to experience it. How good that your sweet husband was with you.

    Praying for a complete and speedy recovery.

    It is so amazing, how far treatment options have come!

    You are loved!
    Take care of yourself.

    Becky K.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Terri, my prayers are flooding your way....and I'm sending a big hug, too. Dana

    ReplyDelete
  10. I hope you know that you have been in our prayers Terri. Bless your heart...you and Bob and Ashley have been through so much. I just saw on Facebook that you are home and what a blessing. I KNOW all will be fine...the lymph nodes look good and that is WONDERFUL!
    You will remain inmy prayers and thoughts and heart.
    Love,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  11. God Bless you my dear friend. After your FB statement the other night I was worried silly. No one wants to hear the C-Word. I have been praying for you! I will patiently wait for the next update!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Terri-
    I'm so sorry that you are having to go thru this. I know how scary it must be for you and your family.
    If you're lucky, you might just end up with some "Baywatch Boobs" before this is all said and done;)
    Please let me know if there's ANYTHING that I can do:)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Terri I am so far behind! I am just now reading this. I hope all went well, with your surgery, this week and continues through your recovery.

    You remain in my thoughts and prayers!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thinking of you sweet friend and hope you're feeling better.

    Hugs!
    Kat

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous5:01 AM

    Terri, I am sorry to read this today and will be praying for your recovery. You and your husband have certainly been through a lot in the last weeks. Please know that each of you are being thought and update us when you can. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous5:31 PM

    Dear Sweet Terri, I have been without a computer for a bit so I am just seeing this post. Oh sweetie I do hope all went well with the surgery and you are doing ok. I will say a prayer for you and have my friend that is a nun light a vigil light for you at her church.

    Many prayers coming to you my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Dear, dear Terri .... I have been more absent than present in blog world for a while BUT something made me want to connect with you this morning. I am so glad I did. My heart goes out to you, my prayers, my energy and my optimism. When you feel like it, please let us know how you are doing. My 47 year old nephew's wife is going through this right now too ..... two lymph nodes were involved and she is scheduled for chemo soon.

    ReplyDelete
  18. You remain in our prayers...God is with you now and will stay by your side through all of this. You have so many who love you and arepraying for you. Stay strong and know that all WILL be well.
    We all care so much...
    Love,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete

Welcome! If you liked what you read, please take a moment to share by tweeting, pinning or yumming! Much appreciated!