Introducing "Bob"

Well yesterday was another fun filled day in the wonderful world of cancer. Leslie and I went to Dr. Parnell (the surgeon) for a follow up to her lumpectomy. The newest kink in the plan is that on top of having another surgery on Monday to remove more tissue, remove the sentinel node and insert the medi-port for chemo that we (and of course that still means Leslie, with me standing helplessly in a corner) get to go through radiation treatments after the chemo. I tell ya, if it isn't one thing it's another. The radiation treatments are to kill any possible remaining cancer cells in the breast. It's got some nifty side effects like making the affected area darker, think selective sun-tanning. Pretty cool. In a nutshell, she gets to be carved on like a Thanksgiving turkey (twice so far..), injected with chemicals that kill fast growing cells (like hair, finger nails and..oh yea...cancer) and then to make it wrap up neatly she gets to have radiation injected into her. Yea cancer! I'm betting you can see why the support of friends, family and others is so incredibly needed during cancer treatments. This stuff sucks.

Ok, you're wondering about the sentinel node. Good, so were we. The sentinel node is a lymph node located under the armpit. There are roughly 25 of these under each arm on the average person. When the surgeon goes in to do the surgery on Monday she will take the "sentinel node" which is the first lymph node in the string of them. Removing the first, or sentinel, node will allow it to be biopsied and tell us if cancer has spread to the lymphatic system. While the lymph node is being tested, Dr. Parnell will remove the extra tissue that tested positive for cancer that remains in Leslie's left breast. By that time we should have an answer to whether the sentinel node is positive for cancer or not. The good answer will be that it is not positive and then all that will remain is to insert the medi-port for the chemo and close up the incision. Let's hope and pray for the good answer. If the sentinel node tests positive for cancer then the next node in the string is removed for biopsy. The goal here is to find out exactly how far the cancer has spread into her lymphatic system. Dr. Parnell says that the most she has ever had to remove for biopsy is 15. We do NOT want to be part of a new record for her so we're hoping that the sentinel node is negative and we're done.

Alright, I titled this little ditty "Introducing 'Bob'" so I guess I should explain that one. While visiting Dr. Parnell's office yesterday we were sitting down with her right hand gal, Sue, to get the surgery scheduled and some paperwork completed. (With all the paperwork involved I'm becoming convinced that the Federal Government is actually behind breast cancer.) While we're sitting there, Leslie asked Sue if her type of cancer has a name, aside from the generic term of breast cancer. Sue proceeded to name off the 10 minutes of technical name as Leslie and I glanced at each other and grinned. No, you won't be reading the full technical name of this cancer in here. At least not for now. I looked at Leslie, looked at Sue, and looked back at Leslie. I said "So, we'll call it Bob". Ta Da...There you have it, the cancer has a name. Bob must die.

Along that train of thought...... My buddy Eric and I have decided to have some pink T-shirts made up that say "To heck with the whales, Save the Boobies!" Just smile and ignore us if you happen to see us wearing them. It's a little chance at saving sanity among the stress of this thing.

That's where we stand so far. Leslie is holding up incredibly well and is absolutely cherishing each card, letter and email she has received. Thank you ALL for your support, it truly does make the unbearable seem bearable.