For the past few weeks trying to take some time to do our due diligence and make sure we were making the right decisions both on the procedures and doctors has been painful. It has created an immense amount of stress and coordination between four teams at three different institutions including 12 doctors with countless nurses, coordinators, schedulers, and navigators. Finally, as mentioned in my previous post, we have decided on a surgical team. Leaving the appointment at 6pm last night I knew I would not have a potential surgery time until today. I have heard from plenty of nurses and schedulers today. I scheduled a few appointments, but it felt like it was taking forever to get a response regarding the surgery date. Finally, at 4:30pm, the call came. Surgery is being scheduled. It will either be next Tuesday (yikes) or Friday. They are hoping for Friday just due to logistics and appointments that need to be taken care of prior to surgery. But if Friday can’t happen, we will proceed with Tuesday.

Before those calls, I had already scheduled a final pre-surgery consultation with the reconstructive plastic surgeon at 10am on Thursday, and thank goodness I got permission for Jeremy to attend! This alone feels like a big win for me. I am also now scheduled for a CT/PET scan up at UCSF in the city on Friday late afternoon. I am slightly concerned that appointment might have to move due to the necessary appointments needed to move forward with surgery. Like everything else, I will cross that bridge when I get there (tomorrow).

I know I mentioned it yesterday, but now I have heard back from all (but one) of the doctors and advocates in my circle helping me navigate this process and everyone believes that moving forward with a single mastectomy is the best, most conservative step. I already know I will need a minimum of three surgical procedures. I have plenty of time to decide if a prophylactic mastectomy on the left is the right choice for me. For now, let’s focus on getting the cancer out, letting my body quickly recover and moving on to the necessary therapies needed to ensure my longevity. Also, being conservative (with my body not the cancer) now will allow me more options in the future when I am better equipped to make those decisions.