After meeting with my new oncologist Dr. Sorcinelli, she set me up to meet Dr. Frederico who would do my VATS (Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery). A doctor she trusts very much which eased us for the surgery since we did not like the surgeon we met with in New Britain.
She also set me up to have a PET scan and brain MRI to be sure it hasn't spread anywhere and we know exactly what we're dealing with. Breast cancer can spread to the lungs, bones, liver and brain through the lymph node system.
Dr. Sorcinelli also informed me that there are lots of causes for spots on our lungs and it does not mean the cancer has spread to my lungs. The environment causes spots on our lungs, having the chicken pox causes spots on our lungs and so many other causes. She told me before we worry about this and jump to conclusions, we need the biopsy. And she assured me, even if it has spread we will fight it head on. What a relief having Dr. Sorcinelli on our side of the fight.
When we met Dr. Frederico, he right at first stated had I not been diagnosed with breast cancer he would not have thought anything of these few spots. But since I have been, let's just be safe. I was very confused and told him what my last oncologist said and how there are thousands of tiny spots and that it was unlikely to not be cancer. Dr. Frederico looked at me confused and did not understand why I was informed of this very misleading information. He took us into his office where he put my lungs up on the monitor. He showed me 3 spots, YES 3 SPOTS, and showed me the 2 he would biopsy. Unfortunately since the spots are 3 millimeters small, I would need the VATS. To give you an idea how big 3 mm is, 1 grain of sugar is 1 mm.
On April 29th I had my petscan, and brain MRI. Results of both were negative, woohoo. We did find an internal mammary lymph nodes behind the chest wasll that tested positive. That's not good but we'll deal with it.
May 5 I had my VATS. I was scared. I had never had anesthesia before and knowing my guardian angel (my father) did not come out from his anesthesia, I was terrified. And knowing the surgeon was going into my body through 3 holes on my right side to get to my lungs for these tiny little spots with a camera was scary. The surgeons team was amazing. When they brought me in to surgery they made me feel at ease and before I knew it I was waking up with my mom with me. Dr. Frederico visited me right away and said preliminary results are NEGATIVE!!! I would get final results Friday but the outlook was GREAT!! What a relief and wow do I have anger for Dr. Hosmer, the oncologist from New Britain.
While on the subject of The Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain General, I will never let them do anything to me again. My port surgery was done through New Britain and my recovery from that was way more painful than it needed to be. They would not prescribe me pain killers but everything we read stated people are prescribed them because the pain is so bad and although I am strong, I was in pain. Dr. Frederico couldn't believe I went through the port surgery with no pain killers and told me what a strong woman I am for that. He assured me I would not have to do that with the VATS although the VATS was a whole different ball game. I was really bummed out too because I was very fond of my breast surgeon, Dr. Zarfos, but she only does her surgeries in New Britain and although I would be in great hands when in her hands, the rest of the time I would be in New Britain hands. Too many horror stories and I have my own horrifying story too.
So, the end result just prior to starting chemo is a 9-10 cm tumor, 3 auxiliary lymph nodes affected and 1 internal mammary lymph node affected which categorizes me as a Stage 3C Triple Positive Breast Cancer Fighter. It's so scary to think how I played right on the edge at Stage 3C. Just a little longer and I could have moved into Stage 4. Ladies, please please please check your girls!! Even if you are getting your yearly mammograms do your own checks. My tumor grew 4-5 cm in just 2 months. See the awareness link to help you learn what to look for and how to check.
She also set me up to have a PET scan and brain MRI to be sure it hasn't spread anywhere and we know exactly what we're dealing with. Breast cancer can spread to the lungs, bones, liver and brain through the lymph node system.
Dr. Sorcinelli also informed me that there are lots of causes for spots on our lungs and it does not mean the cancer has spread to my lungs. The environment causes spots on our lungs, having the chicken pox causes spots on our lungs and so many other causes. She told me before we worry about this and jump to conclusions, we need the biopsy. And she assured me, even if it has spread we will fight it head on. What a relief having Dr. Sorcinelli on our side of the fight.
When we met Dr. Frederico, he right at first stated had I not been diagnosed with breast cancer he would not have thought anything of these few spots. But since I have been, let's just be safe. I was very confused and told him what my last oncologist said and how there are thousands of tiny spots and that it was unlikely to not be cancer. Dr. Frederico looked at me confused and did not understand why I was informed of this very misleading information. He took us into his office where he put my lungs up on the monitor. He showed me 3 spots, YES 3 SPOTS, and showed me the 2 he would biopsy. Unfortunately since the spots are 3 millimeters small, I would need the VATS. To give you an idea how big 3 mm is, 1 grain of sugar is 1 mm.
On April 29th I had my petscan, and brain MRI. Results of both were negative, woohoo. We did find an internal mammary lymph nodes behind the chest wasll that tested positive. That's not good but we'll deal with it.
May 5 I had my VATS. I was scared. I had never had anesthesia before and knowing my guardian angel (my father) did not come out from his anesthesia, I was terrified. And knowing the surgeon was going into my body through 3 holes on my right side to get to my lungs for these tiny little spots with a camera was scary. The surgeons team was amazing. When they brought me in to surgery they made me feel at ease and before I knew it I was waking up with my mom with me. Dr. Frederico visited me right away and said preliminary results are NEGATIVE!!! I would get final results Friday but the outlook was GREAT!! What a relief and wow do I have anger for Dr. Hosmer, the oncologist from New Britain.
While on the subject of The Hospital of Central Connecticut at New Britain General, I will never let them do anything to me again. My port surgery was done through New Britain and my recovery from that was way more painful than it needed to be. They would not prescribe me pain killers but everything we read stated people are prescribed them because the pain is so bad and although I am strong, I was in pain. Dr. Frederico couldn't believe I went through the port surgery with no pain killers and told me what a strong woman I am for that. He assured me I would not have to do that with the VATS although the VATS was a whole different ball game. I was really bummed out too because I was very fond of my breast surgeon, Dr. Zarfos, but she only does her surgeries in New Britain and although I would be in great hands when in her hands, the rest of the time I would be in New Britain hands. Too many horror stories and I have my own horrifying story too.
So, the end result just prior to starting chemo is a 9-10 cm tumor, 3 auxiliary lymph nodes affected and 1 internal mammary lymph node affected which categorizes me as a Stage 3C Triple Positive Breast Cancer Fighter. It's so scary to think how I played right on the edge at Stage 3C. Just a little longer and I could have moved into Stage 4. Ladies, please please please check your girls!! Even if you are getting your yearly mammograms do your own checks. My tumor grew 4-5 cm in just 2 months. See the awareness link to help you learn what to look for and how to check.