The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary defines “Milestone” as “a significant point in development.” One of the synonyms for “milestone” is “turning point.”
Monday, December 9, marked a significant turning point in my cancer journey. I completed the last of sixteen rounds of chemotherapy.
Although the road was a bit bumpy at times, my experience was relatively uneventful compared to all that can go wrong during chemotherapy. I experienced a few hiccups along the way, but none of the major concerns outlined in the sheaf of paper one receives at the start of a treatment regimen.
We came into the last treatment having seen a breast surgeon oncologist the previous Thursday. She ordered a 3D Mammogram, which was completed before she came in to see us.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a “Googler.” I learned long ago that one can’t believe everything that shows up as a result of an internet search. Still, there are reputable sites out there, as well as groups where people who have cancer post their personal experiences. I read several articles and recalled an early discussion with a Mercy surgeon before my second opinion led to Siteman. Armed with that information, I went into this appointment expecting a specific outcome.
“Have you seen your mammogram?” the surgeon asked.
“I’ve seen the original from May, but I haven’t seen the one from today.”
She turned her computer screen toward us. On the right was the original mammogram, the tumor shining at us like a large white marble. On the left was Thursday’s mammogram. A marker was placed during my biopsy in June. We could see the marker, but there was no white marble.
After we squinted at the screen a bit, I finally asked, “Um… where is it?”.
The surgeon pointed out a little shadow surrounding the marker.
Weeks of manual exams and an ultrasound after the first 12 rounds of chemotherapy resulted in remarks such as “fantastic” and “responding well.” Now, we were seeing the proof.
The surgeon laid out the options, confirming what the oncologist had told me two weeks earlier. My type of breast cancer has a 5 to 10 percent chance of recurrence, regardless of the type of surgical procedure. There is also no difference in the longer-term prognosis.
I asked her the question I ask every professional about to do major work on me or my car. “What would you do if I were your mother?”
“I would tell my mother she needs to make a decision.”
She shared the results of previous surgeries with us. One patient who opted for radical surgery had a recurrence in the chest wall two years later. Others opting for less radical procedures had no recurrence or a recurrence in another part of the body years later. There are no guarantees who will or won’t be part of that 5 to 10 percent.
I tell every medical professional I see, “I want to do whatever we need to do so we don’t do this again.” In my ignorance, I presumed that meant a more drastic measure than might be necessary.
A lumpectomy can achieve the same result as a full mastectomy, with less risk and less recovery time. Recent research shows women who undergo lumpectomy have a better long-term outcome than those who opt for a full mastectomy.
As I sat in the chair looking at my husband and sister, a cloud lifted. I looked at them and said, “I don’t see a downside to lumpectomy… do you?”. They assured me in unison that they did not.
Four days later, standing at that bell, I had much for which to be thankful. We had attended our first bell ringing two weekis earlier, supporting a new friend we made at Siteman. She has the same type of cancer as mine and is undergoing the same regimen of treatment. Her treatments were as successful as mine, but with more side effects. We shared tears and laughter as she rang the bell. In those moments I realized I wanted, I needed, that same experience.
Over the next two weeks, I researched the origin of the bell ringing. Anyone who knows me well knows I’ll have something to say on occasions such as these. I worked on a few remarks, which I kept to a little over three minutes. We celebrated by blowing bubbles and sharing homemade cookies.
Milestones are important regardless of the journey one might be on in this stage of life. Celebrate them. Thank God for where he has brought you from and where you are today. Don’t spend too much time looking in the rearview mirror… you aren’t going that way!
“Milestone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/milestone. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.