Surgery

It was the best of outcomes. It was the worst of outcomes. Based on the size of the tumor, the size of the tumor relative to the size of the breast, the location of the tumor, and the grade (2), the surgeon recommended a mastectomy. I don't think anyone knew to ask the question, but it sounds like a simple mastectomy as opposed to a modified radical mastectomy. As compared to a lumpectomy, it has a lower potential of requiring followup surgeries in case the tumor had spread beyond the lump they found.

General Treatment Schedule: (as I understand it)

• Surgery - mastectomy

• Chemotherapy regimen based upon the results of post-surgery biopsies of the tumor and nearby lymph nodes

• Potential radiotherapy regimen based upon the results of the post-surgery biopsies

• Hormone therapy

Of these, the hormone therapy is the treatment that may be the most concerning. This breastcancer.org page lists a number of side effects depending on the specific medication in use. Most medications seem to list every possible side effect under the sun, and so some of these can be taken with a grain of salt, but it's the potential mood swings and emotional changes that are frightening. J told me last night she was worried that she might not be her anymore once she goes on it. I think the chances of that are slim to none, but I'm not going to discount her fears. This page from cancer.gov provides a great FAQ of hormone therapy. It definitely helped allay some of my concerns, but when you get right down to it, what her experience will be is still completely unknown. All we as friends and family can do is be here for her every step of the way so that she never feels like she is going through this alone.

Seven days to go until surgery...