Tough day today. It seems like every time I go to an appointment, I get more information that I have to deal with. Let me back up. Yesterday was my appointment at Mayo. I agreed to go and get a second opinion which is always a good idea. I had all intentions of keeping everything in Brunswick. It's convenient and I like my doctors. But after experiencing the caring atmosphere and professionalism of their breast cancer clinic, I am completely won over.
     I called them this morning and said. "Let's go." They called me back this afternoon with all the preliminary appointments. It's wonderful! I don't have to do anything except show up. They take care of everything!
     I met with Dr. Isley, who talked to me about my options. It looks like almost every decision I have to make is dependent on the sentinel lymph node. So far, I will have to take either Tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor which will block or prevent estrogen. It's a five year prescription.
     According to pathology report the tumor cells are ER (estrogen receptor) prostive (good), PR (progesterone receptor) positive (also good), but HER2 positive (bad.) Here is some info from the Mayo Clinic site:

HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about 1 of every 5 breast cancers, the cancer cells make an excess of HER2 due to a gene mutation. This gene mutation and the elevated levels of HER2 that it causes can occur in many types of cancer — not only breast cancer. This is a gene mutation that occurs only in the cancer cells and is not a type of mutation that you can inherit from a parent.

    Because the HER2 is positive, I will have to undergo chemo therapy. I'm thinking about cutting my hair shorter and shorter so by the time I lose it, it will have been a gradual change. Jarret says he will shave my head for me before it looks too ratty! :)  I'll have to get some cool "do-rags." Should I go with the pirate or thug look?

     Back to my day. With all this information running around in my head, I'm having a difficult time keeping up with my job. Being a school teacher is tough enough without the added stress. I really care about my classes and giving them the best education possible. Let's just say I'm glad there's only five weeks left!
     On another note, Jarret is making sure I'm working off my stress and building my muscles at the same time. Two hours in the gym this evening working on triceps, quads, calves,  and chest. Plus 25 minutes on the treadmill. I should be in tip top shape by surgery time!
     One more thing, and then I'll go. Everyone knows I chose the butterfly as my totem a few years ago when I was going through many life changes. One of the first gifts Jarret gave me was a necklace with a silver butterfly on it bearing this inscription: "Just when the catapillar thought her life was over, she changed into a beautiful butterfly." Now, more than ever, the symbol of the butterfly stands to remind me how changes can be painful, but they bring beauty and strength.
     Here is a picture from the lobby of the Mayo Clinic. I took it as a sign.