Retreat For Peace

Post-operative Dr. visit

Saw Dr. Lang on Wednesday. I am healing well. Turns out the lump was smaller than we both thought. It was very near the skin and we could easily feel it and both thought it was at least 2 cm. Size is important because it is one of the factors that determines the stage of cancer; 2 cm being the boundary between stage one and stage two. Turns out it was 1.5 and I am clearly stage one. She said sometimes the body will build a little protective wall around itself.

Between diagnosis and surgery, I did reiki by cupping my hand over the tumor while going to sleep at night. I explained to Dr. Lang what reiki was and how it worked. She showed interest and certainly did not discount these methods as accounting for a reduced size of the tumor. Also, while meditating during this period of time, I personified my angry cells and told them they did not need to be angry and that they were loved. I told them it was in their best interest to accept that love.

We are at a crossroads in the treatment decision tree. Do I need chemotherapy or not? The personality of one’s cancer seems to be as varied as each of our personalities are from one another. So far, 3 genes of my DNA have been tested:
HER-2 – negative
Estrogen Receptor – positive (95% strongly positive)
Progesterone Receptor – positive (95% strongly positive)

Dr. Lang ordered an Oncotype DX test on Wednesday. This test will take a look at 21 genes and calculate a recurrence score expressed as a percentage. It will expose the personality of the cancer so that we can decide if chemotherapy is necessary in order to arrest it. Results take 2 weeks after which I will see an oncologist on March 10.

Oncotype DX test is for people who are estrogen receptor positive and lymph node negative, which I am. Only 4% of the women in this category benefit from chemotherapy, so it is a very useful test. (Insurance companies will not usually pay for this test until after the post-operative appointment. Hence the delay.) I just got a call from Genomic Health, the company doing the test. The cost is $4,000+ and after insurance, my portion is about $700+. They said I income qualify to receive a grant to cover that amount!!! How sweet!!!

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