Answers..

For as much information I had received at my last two doctor's appointments, I still had a lot of uncertainty swirling around in my life.  Was their sarcoma present in the tumor?  Would I have a reduction or a total mastectomy?  The sarcoma was the one that weighed heavily on me.  My dad had a sarcoma in his leg when he was diagnosed, so I truly understood what that would me for me, and it scared the HELL out of me.  I continued to try not to worry too much until I knew for certain, but after over a month of uncertainty, my resolve was starting to crumble.

On Father's Day (yes a Sunday), we were up and at Shands MRI at 7:30 in the morning.  Once again, my Jay was right by my side.  This morning he proved not so helpful at one point...so I was having regular MRI images done, and then images with contrast.  In order to do this, they would have to put an IV in my arm.  So, before we were to walk in the underground tunnel under Archer to get to the Cancer tower for my breast MRI, I had to get the port (I am sure that's not what they call it) placed.  I NEVER watch IVs, blood drawing needles.  I am not afraid, per se, but I don;t enjoy watching them go into my body.  Jay is sitting next to me, so I decided to look at him, hoping it will calm me.  WRONG.  I am feel the needle go in, and I feel the wiggling of it.  At that point I look at Jay, who has a look of concern and "Uh oh" on his face. NOT what you want to see.  I then make the dumb mistake of looking at my arm - blood dripping down it!! I instantly feel nauseous.  I don't know what happened - Jay told me something about the nurse's glove being to big and him moving it...I don't know.  It didn't hurt after he got it placed properly, but I did have to sit for a min to collect myself.

MRI went smoothly.  I don't like them - to closed in for me, but the lady was very kind.  I had headphones, got to pick my music, and after I told her I was afraid I was going to get claustrophobic, she would warn me before sending me in so I could close my eyes, and then would give me time count downs while inside.  I had ones taken on my back, and then the fun ones - on my stomach, with my breasts in plastic cups.  I was in and out in an hour with a glowing report from the tech on how well I did.

The ultrasound later in the week was to further look into another lump that was found in the same breast.  These images were done at Shands breast imaging (all women) office.  Both the tech and radiologists were very sweet and informative.  They told me what they were looking at and that for the first part they would be silent, but that did not necessarily mean anything bad.  I left with them telling me it was a fibroadenoma. 

After all this was said and done, it was the end of the week, and we were about to be heading out of town (and the country) to Curacao for a week vacation.  I was hoping to have a plan of action before then..and then Dr. Spiguel called with the same intent.  She wanted me to enjoy my trip and wanted to share everything with me before then.  Told you she was totally lovable!!

She calls and tells me she has more information for me.  I sit down on the bed and grab the closest piece of scrap paper and a pen.  And hold my breath.  She begins with she took my case to the breast board and they agree on the phyllodes diagnosis.  They also agree on the two surgical options.  She then tells me pathology came back and was negative for sarcoma.  At this point I start to cry.  Tears of relief streaming down my face.  For the rest of the conversation I was listening, but not listening.  I got off the phone with notes scratched all over the paper, but can't remember hearing her say any of it.

No sarcoma. No cancer. No chemo. No radiation.  As much as I kept telling myself that was not an option, I am still rational and a part of me had to accept it might be a reality.  No it had been ruled out and I could breathe.  So thankful.

At this point, Dr. S needed to go in and look at the cavity from the last surgery and look at the tissues/margins.  Dr. Singhal would scrub in with her and be their to see what he was working with and discuss my case with her.  So, we scheduled my 3rd surgery the week after our vacation with my 4th scheduled a week after that.  We still did not know what that 4th surgery would be.  My fingers were still crossed for a reduction.