Change of Plans?

Wow, this is a lot of change for someone that likes to have things planned in advance. I had my surgery scheduled, help with kids coming (thanks Andrea), and I was ready to get this going! After my visit with my surgeons today, it looks like we may be changing plans. Because the lymph nodes were positive for cancer, they feel like it might be best to start with chemo. For 3 reasons (that I remember)-

#1 The chemo may not work as well, or might be harder, if I'm recovering from surgery.

#2 If the cancer did get out through the lymph system, they would want to get the chemo in ASAP and start killing the cancer. We wouldn't want it spreading away while I'm getting surgery and healing.

#3 If they can shrink the tumor in the breast before surgery, they have a better chance of getting ALL of it out with surgery. That's a good surgical goal.

My surgeon said he could put in the chemo port this Tuesday. I'm going to wait until after my appointment with my medical oncologist Monday afternoon to decide for sure. I also asked to start the chemo after Thanksgiving weekend. I'd like to be healthy on Thanksgiving to spend time with family. 

Then Jim and I have been given the gift of an overnight stay away from kids. Hopefully the kids will be nice at home. We haven't gotten away together in several years! 

Lots of food with family then a short, fun getaway with my husband before the yucky part starts.

Oh, I also saw my plastic surgeon. This may be TMI for some of you. I just have to say that I'm SO glad that reconstruction has become a normal part of the process. For me a double mastectomy may be a bit psychologically devastating. Maybe my vanity is showing here, but I want to look like a woman. I know that for many women, they are fine without the reconstruction. This is just a personal choice for me. I'll spare you the details of my reconstruction plan. I'll just say that I'm thankful there are plastic surgeons that specialize in post-mastectomy reconstruction.