I have won the lottery! OK, not really.

When my GP told me that she would like to send me to the surgeons office - I asked for Alison Ross.  Alison was the surgeon who did my surgery on Fred, so the unnamed, unwanted mass, I have not so affectionately called Earl, will die by the same hands.

And yes, Earl has to die.

I had a great appointment with Alison and got an amazing amount of information.  Alison is like talking to a great long time friend.  She's simply amazing.  So the plan we came up with looks like this:

1. I have booked a pre-op appointment with my GP.

2. Alison is going to send a referral to BCCA to do the gene testing for breast cancer. (I didn't do this years ago because it would mean contacting my biological mother/sister).

3. Alison is going to send a referral to a plastic surgeon to start the process of the bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction.

4. We will do a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy as soon as possible—probably in the next 2-3 weeks. Just to get rid of the cancer. I will need to be off work for 7-10 days to recuperate. The biopsies will go to the BC Cancer Agency and a plan will be drawn up for treatment

5. I will then start treatment at BCCA whatever that looks like, it could be as little as radiation treatment, it could include chemotherapy. That has yet to be determined.

6. I should have the gene testing back by then. (it takes 4 months) If I have the gene for breast cancer, we will absolutely proceed with the mastectomies and reconstruction. If I don’t have the gene, we’ve discussed going ahead with the mastectomies as she stated I statistically have an 8-40% chance of getting the breast cancer back. This gives me time to consider if I want to do something so radical or not.

If I had a 8-40% chance of winning the lottery, I'd buy a ticket every single day.  Since initially writing this, I have decided to go ahead with the mastectomies and reconstruction regardless of the gene testing.

I have done my preoperative appointment, I have an appointment next week to meet with Dr. Jennifer Robinson to discuss the mastectomies and reconstructions.  I have a potential surgical date for December 2nd.  If there is a bumping I'll be bumped to December 6th, but I won't be bumped off that list.

I have to get Christmas ready this weekend and finish painting our bedroom.  I think I may be doing my Christmas shopping online....and I'll be queuing up Netflix.  I think I am going to enjoy recuperating.