Finished Chemo, then...

[KimB]

I finished Chemo on April 29, 2010, and I am still standing (HaHa).

My three tumors, which appeared on the chest after my mastectomy, look and feel pretty much gone.

I am going to get another surgery to remove the skin at my chest, where the three tumors were. My surgeon, first didn't want to do the surgery. Then, he suggested to do biopsy to check if there are any cancer remaining. Finally he agreed to do a limited skin removing surgery. I am getting a second opinion from another surgeon soon. Since my recurrence, I have been feeling that I and my surgeon are not on a same page anymore. I trust my feelings.

The skin removing surgery was suggested by my med onc. The Chemo I was receiving is for systemic, also neoadjuvant (for three tumors on my chest). After neoadjuvant, the area must be treated with radiation or surgery. Since I've already had radiation, my onc won't give me another round. He wants me to get this surgery so that we can lower the risk of more tumors coming back at the same area.

I have been feeling very positive about this surgery. While we were discussing about it, my onc said,"While we haven't found any mets yet, I do everything to try to cure you." He wasn't trying to give me a false hope as using a word "cure." He clearly told me that most of the odds are agains me and I need to live one day at a time. My cancer came back very fast; the tumors grew in the astounding speed. I was preparing the worst in mind because I didn't want to be disappointed if the worst became real. But my onc refleshed my hope, which had got very stale by that time. It's OK to have a good today; it's OK to hope a good tomorrow.

I am in peace now. I hope all of you be in peace also.

Kim