Closing In
Victoria had her 5th, or second to last chemo session on Wednesday. Chemo went well and like all the previous treatments she feels pretty horrible this weekend. I think Victoria has just gotten to the point where this isn’t becoming any easier, but she knows what to expect and handles the side effects remarkably well.
Victoria is closing in on the end of chemo and will move onto surgery in roughly 5 weeks. We met with the surgical oncologist on Wednesday for a consultation. He is by far the most serious and straightforward of all the doctors that we have seen. He is also very precise and explains the options in a detailed, yet understandable manner. The surgeon began the consult by performing a physical exam, which would help him determine what course of action to suggest. When we first met the surgeon prior to Victoria receiving chemotherapy he had examined her and basically determined that a mastectomy would be her only option, unless the chemo, in his words, had a “profound effect”. Well I am happy to report that 12 weeks has passed since that initial exam and the surgeon echoed those same words. “Profound effect!” The surgeon has declared that Victoria has had a complete clinical response to the chemotherapy. This means that he can’t physically feel anything. When comparing the left breast to the right there is no difference. Our surgeon explained that these types of results occur in less than 30% of women with breast cancer, but he was especially surprised because Victoria had two infected areas and considerably large tumors.
I was overjoyed with this news and my eyes began to swell. I was so relieved to hear that for everything Victoria has gone through we are seeing a positive outcome.
Although physically nothing can be felt the next step is to find out if any cancer cells exists, which must be done under a microscope and post-surgery. If the pathology reports come back clean Victoria will have had a complete pathological response, meaning that no remaining cancer cells can be detected.
The surgical options range from a lumpectomy, with breast conservation all the way to a double mastectomy with reconstruction. We let the doctor describe the pros and cons of each option to us. Victoria had thought long and hard prior to knowing the options and had her mind made up before receiving the consultation. She has decided to go for the double mastectomy with reconstruction at the same time. This is the most extreme option, but comes with the greatest possibility of never seeing any type of reoccurrence. The surgery is very blunt and will consist of a difficult recovery. I stand behind Victoria 100% in this courageous decision and know in my heart that this is the right choice. Although the recovery will be difficult, I know how tough Victoria is and that she wouldn’t opt for this if she didn’t think she could handle both the emotional and physical recovery that she will have to endure.
Victoria is closing in on the end of chemo and will move onto surgery in roughly 5 weeks. We met with the surgical oncologist on Wednesday for a consultation. He is by far the most serious and straightforward of all the doctors that we have seen. He is also very precise and explains the options in a detailed, yet understandable manner. The surgeon began the consult by performing a physical exam, which would help him determine what course of action to suggest. When we first met the surgeon prior to Victoria receiving chemotherapy he had examined her and basically determined that a mastectomy would be her only option, unless the chemo, in his words, had a “profound effect”. Well I am happy to report that 12 weeks has passed since that initial exam and the surgeon echoed those same words. “Profound effect!” The surgeon has declared that Victoria has had a complete clinical response to the chemotherapy. This means that he can’t physically feel anything. When comparing the left breast to the right there is no difference. Our surgeon explained that these types of results occur in less than 30% of women with breast cancer, but he was especially surprised because Victoria had two infected areas and considerably large tumors.
I was overjoyed with this news and my eyes began to swell. I was so relieved to hear that for everything Victoria has gone through we are seeing a positive outcome.
Although physically nothing can be felt the next step is to find out if any cancer cells exists, which must be done under a microscope and post-surgery. If the pathology reports come back clean Victoria will have had a complete pathological response, meaning that no remaining cancer cells can be detected.
The surgical options range from a lumpectomy, with breast conservation all the way to a double mastectomy with reconstruction. We let the doctor describe the pros and cons of each option to us. Victoria had thought long and hard prior to knowing the options and had her mind made up before receiving the consultation. She has decided to go for the double mastectomy with reconstruction at the same time. This is the most extreme option, but comes with the greatest possibility of never seeing any type of reoccurrence. The surgery is very blunt and will consist of a difficult recovery. I stand behind Victoria 100% in this courageous decision and know in my heart that this is the right choice. Although the recovery will be difficult, I know how tough Victoria is and that she wouldn’t opt for this if she didn’t think she could handle both the emotional and physical recovery that she will have to endure.
This is great news, thank you Jeff for the update. Victoria as always you are in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteShe is SO brave! I am glad things are going so positively
ReplyDeleteThinking of you guys! Is the chemo over now?! Oh, I hope so! Update when you can, Jeff :)
ReplyDelete