1st Meltdown

Thanks everyone.  I made it through 2 dry runs at home.  For the second one, I took/used my drugs in the order recommended by pulmonologist.  I'm much more confident I can get through it now.  I'll definitely let you know how it goes.

Juneping, I can suck on a cough drop during the MRI.  In fact, they gave me one on the 2nd attempt.  Didn't get this brand in time for MRI, but I intend to get some just to have for the future. 

Farmerlucy, Dr. O'Dell did my biopsy.  I've been referred to Dr. McWhite (BS) for my appointment on Fri.  Is Dr. Hollingsworth an oncologist?  His name sounds familiar.  I think I may have read it in one of the books, I was given in my  "goodie" bag from Mercy after I was diagnosed.  What is Dr. Boggs' specialty?   I asked my pulmonologist to give me a recommendation for an oncologist.  I have absolute, unswerving confidence in her referrals.  She may refer me to which ever one of yours who is an oncologist.

Is the Breast Care Center on the west side of Meridian?

SUCCESS!  Thanks for the recommendations on oncologists, Okiemomof4 and Farmerlucy.  I'm so new on this site, I don't know how a  PM works.  Will you PM me the name of the Dr. you didn't like?  Does a PM come in as an email or how will I get notification that I received it?  Great pun, AZ85048.

What is an oncotype test?  If the oncologist  doesn't suggest it first, should I request one before I agree to start chemo?

Thanks for all your support!  

My husband and I really liked the surgeon.  She allowed
plenty of time to talk to us and answer our questions.  My appointment was
at 1:00 and we didn't leave her office till 3:00.  When I told her that I was being very careful about what internet research I was doing, and that I had only been going to the ACS site and this one, she said good.  In fact, she said, "Excellent!" when I mentioned this site. 

The bad news ( at least as far as I was concerned)  is
that they did not find anything in my breast from the MRI.  The doctor did reiterate what the radiologist, who did my biopsy, told me that
sometimes the primary tumor burns itself out. 

I will definitely
have surgery.  In addition to removing  the malignant lymph node, she
will remove approximately the lower 1/3 of the lymph nodes under my
arm.  When I asked her to give me a ballpark figure, she said possible
10-25 nodes.

There was one unexpected issue she threw at us.  She said there are 2 schools of thought when the lymph nodes are  involved, but no tumor is found in the breast.  We can opt for just removing the lymph nodes and monitoring the breast, or we can opt for doing a mastectomy when the lymph nodes are removed.  She said the they would probably want to do radiation if we only do the lymph nodes, but probably not if I have a mastectomy.  I was inclined to immediately say let's do the mastectomy since I had already decided I would do that if they had found anything in my breast, but I sensed my husband wasn't ready to make that decision.  We are going to consider our options over the weekend.  I did tell her to schedule enough time to do the mastectomy if that ends up being what we decide to do.

I will have more blood work
and a PET scan before the surgery.  She actually said that normally she
would do a CT of the chest (already done), abdomen and pelvic area, but said
that we could certainly do the PET scan instead if that was what I
wanted.  I did.  She said she would not normally schedule a bone scan at this time unless I identified symptoms.  They could not  schedule the PET scan
until Mon. because no one was there (where the scan will be done) to do it.  It will be scheduled for
sometime next week.

My surgery is tentatively scheduled for 12:00 on 3/12 to
allow time for them to get the PET scan results. She will
be out of town the week of 3/17 due to spring break.  She did not want to
wait until after spring break to do the surgery.

I will be referred to an oncologist after surgery.

. 

AZ85048, I just hadn't thought about having more than the malignant node removed--not that  I didn't realize they would remove more of any tissue when removing a tumor.  It just wasn't something I focused on during my quest for information and definitions of various terms   From my research I knew about lymphedema.  But I didn't even have to ask her about it.  She brought the subject up and discussed it thoroughly.  I was already bummed by the fact that it can occur weeks and even years after the surgery.  After I'd read all of the restrictions; e.g., avoiding sunburns, always wearing shoes (I kick mine off as soon as walk in the door), rubber gloves for house cleaning (what's that?), no professional manicures (I didn't get them often, so no great loss)., electric razors, etc.; I was afraid I might have to give up gardening.  I never gardened before we bought our current house 7 years ago, but it has become a passion of mine--so therapeutic and rewarding. I was relieved when she assured me that  I would not have to give it up-- just wear long sleeves and gloves.  Long sleeves will be pain in our OK heat, but I had already trained myself to wear gardening gloves because it was too embarrassing to always feel like my nails were dirty when I went out.  She did tell me to call immediately  even if my ring felt tight.

To everyone else, thanks for your support.  I know you will be thinking about me during my PET scan, surgery and the rest of my journey.  It certainly helps to have "sisters" I can talk to without having to primarily be focused on editing everything I say or write, casting news in the most positive way, reassuring my family and friends, putting on the brave face, etc.