Decision Made!

     Another busy week! Jarret and I spent all day Tuesday and Wednesday in Jacksonville. All day Tuesday at Mayo getting blood work, an MRI, and various consults. The MRI showed some more iffy spots on my right breast which just helped to confirm my decision to go ahead with the mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy. After talking with the surgeon and the plastic surgeon, I've decided to get a double mastectomy. It doesn't guarantee that the cancer won't return, but it does lesson the chances. The doctors were very supportive of my decision.
     The question I was asked by more than one physician was, "What will cause you the most anxiety? Losing your breasts, both of them, or living with the anxiety of the cancer coming back in the left breast?"
     My hope now is that the cancer is not in my lymph nodes. If it is not in my lymph nodes, I won't have to have radiation. Radiation damages the skin and makes reconstruction more difficult. They won't know until surgery about the lymph nodes, and I won't know until it's over.
     My surgery is set for May 31st. at 9:00. I'm supposed to be there at 9:00, so I'm not sure exactly what time they'll start. It's a relief to finally have the date set. Now I can kind of "see" the timeline as far as recovery goes. It's also made me a little anxious, OK, a LOT anxious! Just the thought of surgery scares me, but I have met so many women who have come through breast cancer surgery fine. They are so inspiring! It is truly a sisterhood.
    On another note, I'm so glad I can finish out the school year and attend graduation! The seniors of 2012 were the freshmen my first year at Brunswick High, so I am excited to be able to see them graduate. Every graduation ceremony at BHS I've done duty, but this year I am going to put on the robe and stole and process with the teachers. I will make sure to bring a box of tissue!  Many of those students have stopped by my classroom to give me hugs and their support. I'm very proud of the class of 2012!