Tuesday July 20, 2010

Yesterday we (me, Jamey and Morgan) went up to THFW for my Lymphoscintigraphy, which is a technique that is used to determine the sentinel lymph node (first lymph nodes the tumor is draining into). I didn't know what to expect and let me tell you, it was something else!

I had a great technician named Mandi. She inserted a needle, which had small amounts of radioactive material, into the side of my areola. That was awkward, and yet another person in the DFW area to see my boobies :-).

When she was done with that, she had me massage my own breast to work that stuff around and get it into my lymph nodes. I told her "this is what I brought my husband for!" yet she never went to get him :(
After about 15-20 minutes, she slid me into the tube and starting taking pictures. She marked two spots in my armpit with a permanent marker and sent me home.

Today, we had to be back at 7:00 am for a 9:00 am lymph node biopsy (they didn't take me back until 11:20 am). I couldn't have anything to eat or drink after midnight last night and I REALLY WANTED MY COFFEE! And it didn't help that both Michelle and Jamey had thiers!

The procedure went great. Dr. Bussey came out and talked to Michelle and Jamey and said she removed 2 lymph nodes, will send those out to the lab to biopsy, and I should have my results within 48 hours. Please pray these are negative! If negative, I will have a "bilateral simple Mastectomies with immediate reconstruction". If positive, I will have a simple right mastectomy and a modified radical left mastectomy. Simple means just removing the breast tissue. Modified radical means removing the breast tissue and all of the lymph nodes on that side. Radical mastectomy removes the breast tissue, the lymph nodes, AND the muscle behind the breast. Just a little A&P for ya!

Thank you to everyone for all the positive thoughts and prayers. Without all of you, and my wonderful family, this whole process would be unbearable! I definitely wouldn't have a positive attitude, and so far that positive attitude has been helpful.

I want to say thank you to Michelle for going with us today and keeping Jamey company, and Happy Birthday to Holly!

Love to all!
Christy (on pain meds :-)