I realize now that I haven't really told you much about my cancer diagnosis. Leaving some of you quite blind I'm sure. So for the record:
T2N1a - ER positive -
grade 3 (which is incidentally the same level of conservatory piano I have completed) which is based on it's size and the fact it has spread to the lymph nodes.
In layman's terms (and I apologize to anyone with real medical training for my very rudimentary description) A tumor 2-3 cm. 1 out of 2 lymph nodes removed show cancer cells. High grade cancer which has multiple components. Not going into that. Estrogen positive which means it reacts positively to any estrogen in the system. Margins for the lumpectomy weren't clear so that means further surgery at some point.
Because it has spread to the lymph nodes chemotherapy is the course of treatment. The make up of chemo meds is based on the make up of the cancer cells. There is still testing being completed to confirm that exactly.
Radiation would also be provided to kill off any cells that might be lingering in the breast and underarm area.
Because it's estrogen positive, hormone therapy would be prescribed for a 5 year period.
It just seems so normal now for me to say that. Guess I'm getting to acceptance.
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