Tumor markers came back at 16.7, which is great news today! Anything under 35 is great according to my doctor, so today is a GREAT day!

Here is an update…

I went to see Dr. Senofsky last week and almost had a panic attack!!! He was examining my chest and stopped talking and gave me that "hummmm" look, kind of like…"I think I feel something, but I don't want my patient to freak out" kind of look. I have been going to these doctors so often, that I know "that" look. I knew something was wrong and I called him on it. He said he felt a very small lump. On further examination…he decided that he knew what it was. It was a dissolvable stitch that isn't dissolving. I of course go into panic mode and begin asking for an ultra sound or needle aspiration. He assures me that it is a stitch. So, everything is just fine except…I am still in panic mode.
So, I called Dr. Barstis, my oncologist, last week and told him that I was sure that my cancer had returned…even though I have no evidence. I asked if he would take my blood and read my tumor markers. He assured me that I was fine, but since he is so nice, he gave me the blood test anyway. I am supposed to be getting the results tomorrow, I'll keep you posted.
I went to see Dr. Watson two weeks ago…He is my plastic surgeon. I wanted to make an appointment to get my "Expanders" removed and silicone implants put in. My expanders are extremely HARD (because of scar tissue)…no pain, but just very very hard. Dr. Watson still wants to do the DIEP procedure that would require me to be under for about 8 hours. It would also be a long recovery period, that I just don't want to deal with right now. I told him that I wanted the silicone implants and then, if my body develops scar tissue again, I will think about doing the DIEP. I would like to try the "easier" procedure first and hope for a good outcome! I plan on having surgery the week of Aug. 17th, I don't know what day, but I'll keep you informed.

Seems like everyone is into this walking thing, or better yet BEATING CANCER!

If you will be in LA on September 15-16, 2007, I am sure Valerie and the rest of the team would love to have more walkers! If you don't want to walk, you can always sign up to help like I did, gonna spend the two days "crewing", which I think means doing whatever needs to be done so those walking can focus on solely that and why they are there.

Check it out!