Good News, Bad News

After meeting with my oncologist a few weeks ago to discuss my CT scan, I thought I was "in the clear".  I guess it is common for most people to have random cysts, spots, etc... on various internal organs.  When I met with my oncologist, we did discuss a few areas that appear to be cysts that will need to be watched for any change in futures CT scans.  There was also a pesky little "area of debris" in my bladder that my oncologist referred me to a urologist to have reviewed further.

On April 1st (ironic, I know), I met with a urologist and was informed that the area that showed up on my bladder in the CT scan was a polyp and most likely cancerous.  It was a "good news, bad news" scenario.  Bad news is I most likely have bladder cancer, good news is that is appears to be early stage and it will be nothing like breast cancer as far as treatment goes.  This information was shocking and scary. 

Kent just about fell over when I told him.  I had gone to the appointment alone, not thinking this would be any big deal. 

The past few weeks have been filled with anticipation and prayers.  I had surgery on Monday, April 14th. Kent and my friend, Steph, went with me to Woodwinds Hospital for the day surgery.  Surgery went great and we have been waiting for the biopsy results to confirm that the polyp was cancerous and if so, determine what level.

My urologist called last evening with only good news!  The polyp was cancerous as he expected but was a low grade, non-invasive surface polyp.  This means removing the polyp (which he did in surgery on Monday) is also treatment.  I will not need any additional surgery, chemo, etc...  I will just need to be seen every 3 months for the next year to make sure my bladder is clear of polyps.

From what I have been told, my breast cancer and bladder cancer are not related.  I may have had this bladder polyp before I was diagnosed with breast cancer.   I am going forward with additional genetic testing ( I tested negative for the breast cancer gene) to try to help determine why I have had these cancers.

Thank you for the millionth time to my fabulous family, friends and neighbors for your love and support. Now we all know how to spell "polyp" :)!

Love you all!
Kristi

Good News!

I just met with my oncologist today to review a  CT scan and bone scan I had earlier this week ( I was having some back pain) and everything looks good!  I also had my first mammogram since my diagnosis about three weeks ago and the results are also normal.  

I finished up radiation at the end of November, 2013 and I am still receiving an infusion "chemo"(Herceptin) every three weeks through the end of May, 2014. 

This has been a LONG year and I am so looking forward to being finished with treatments.  I am now at a point where I can compare where I was last year at this same time and feel so grateful to be sitting here typing that I am almost finished with treatments. Whew!

Happy Spring!
Kristi