May 8, 2008

Update May 8, 2008

Dear Friends,

If at first you don’t succeed, try again! It worked for me. The second surgery was successful and the surgeon was able to establish clear margins around the crap. HooRay!
I must say that my experience with Iowa Methodist was just as pleasant this week as it was last. This is the link to Iowa Methodist if you want to check out the staff; http://www.johnstoddardcancer.org/body.cfm?id=268 my doctor is Dr. Kollmorgan, you can read about him under physicians. Edra Frouts is the Breast Cancer Care Coordinator and she is under Care Coordinators.

The surgery was done Tuesday at 7 AM. Since they did not have to remove any lymph nodes, it was done under what they call a local-mac. I asked what mac was, but now I forgot! Basically I was asleep, but not as deep as general puts you under, so it was quicker in and out.


I have a follow up appointment with my surgeon next week. At that time, he will refer me to an oncologist who will determine the balance of the treatment. Since it was breast conservation surgery, radiation is almost a given.

Dr. Kollmorgan said that I might qualify for a clinical study called TAILORx, it has to do with Oncotype test. From what I understand, it is a gene study that helps determine if chemotherapy is beneficial for borderline candidates. Here are some links I found about the study;
http://www.genomichealth.com/oncotype/tailorx/default.aspx
http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/chemotherapy/new_research/20060126.jsp
http://ecog.dfci.harvard.edu/general/gendocs/tailorx_oncodxfact.pdf

I know some of my friends like to research as much as I do. After all knowledge is power.

So far I am doing well, resting a lot as the pain meds do make me so sleepy!

Thanks again for your prayers and good wishes.