<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Wow what a wonderful supportive group you are... you've brought tears to my eyes with all the love and support you've sent my way during this challenging time. My apologies for not replying to each and everyone of you in person, with words of appreciation and thanks. Please know that I feel surrounded by love and so fortunate to have such caring friends. It was so challenging for me to share this news with you all, as I've tended to be such a private person, but I challenged myself to be brave and share and I'm so glad I did, and feel sooo much better knowing all the support I have. I also appreciate all the feedback and guidance. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">With time to digest all this and do more research, before scheduling my surgery with our local general surgeon, I've decided to get an assessment from Dr, Hannah Hazard-Jenkins specialist for breast surgery and oncology at WVU Cancer Institute (Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center) in Morgantown. <a href="https://wvumedicine.org/find-a-doctor/doctor-details/?id=968">https://wvumedicine.org/find-a-doctor/doctor-details/?id=968</a></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">My oncologist, Dr. Shah was happy to make the referral, and even Dr. Roberts' staff was supportive of my choice to see her. My appointment is Jan 4th.. and I assume any surgery that I'll schedule is something she might be able to do... and nothing like having the expert, if that is possible. I also want her guidance for follow-up and prevention strategies. Because of the early stage of all this, I believe there is plenty of time... </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">My dear Quaker friend, Jean Ambrose, has offered to drive me there for the appointment, which is so endearing and we both stay very isolated so we're Ok with being together for the drive. So stay tuned for the New Years follow-up.. and have a very happy holiday..</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Love to you all!</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large">Cindy</div></div></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Dec 20, 2020 at 9:42 AM Cindy Taylor <<a href="mailto:cwtaylor50@gmail.com">cwtaylor50@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"><div class="gmail_default">Hi dear FUUSM Friends,</div><div class="gmail_default">I've really enjoyed the snowpeople and appreciated the meditation group on Wednesdays.. THANKS so much!! I have been very appreciative of my Quaker group, too (which I've been joining by Zoom on many Sundays at the same time as the FUUSM service.) </div><div class="gmail_default">I'd rather share this news to you all here and not try to talk over Zoom.. some of you realize that my most recent mammogram showed a concerning mass in my right breast. Here is the best update or rather breast update. </div><div class="gmail_default">Quite an exhausting experience so far with all the different doctors, tests, medical people, etc. Friday was the longest- 3 plus hours at at the oncology center here in Parkersburg and getting opinion from oncologist, Dr. Nik Shah. Best news under all the circumstances... Latest recommendation is that I need to only have lumpectomy - the mass (lobular carcinoma in situ) on another form he called it " malignant neoplasm of overlapping sites of rt. female breast".. This is NOT like more serious cancers.. it appears to be non-invasive and is "confined" and carries a high risk of developing breast cancer.. It's all a bit confusing and diagnostic tests show more info and analysis of risk factors and possible treatments. He recommends that I have just the lump removed (with extra tissue).. and there is NO need for radiation treatment (which My surgeon had suggested might be a possibility) and there is not possibility at this stage for involvement of any lymph nodes. A mastectomy is NOT recommended (or likely approved following current guidelines for my particular "cancer"). I will need regular followup and there was suggestion for drug treatment that would further reduce my risks.. Some are not good choices because of my particular medical history and the other concern is my osteoporosis. I had blood taken for genetic tests which will cover a variety of cancer related genes. Info may be helpful in guiding best treatment even though I'm unlikely to have the BRCA genes, because my sister did not (but both of her girls did and have had cancer surgeries). It will be interesting to learn more there. All has been a bit confusing.. So glad to have my son Will's wife, Dr. Jane to review, research and explain more to me!!! Including what doctors do what.. so my next step will be to get back to my surgeon (Dr. Roberts) and ask his office to schedule me for that surgery.. It is an easy outpatient surgery.. and there is no immediate rush.. so I'm expecting that some time in January. More analysis for that specimen collected at that surgery, may be helpful too.. </div><div class="gmail_default"> So dear Friends.. I'm very fortunate and counting my blessings, not sure when I'll join you on zoom but if I don't or leave early, you'll understand... lots of calls coming in from family,etc. Hope you are able to read this. </div><div class="gmail_default">Holding you all in the light, too during this challenging time. </div><div class="gmail_default">Cindy Taylor</div><div class="gmail_default">PS not to scare you more.. but my daughter-in-Law, Dr. Jane (pediatric pulmonologist at UPMC in Pittsburgh) told me yesterday that the medical facilities have been hacked too- by that same Russian attack hitting government. they haven't been able to communicate with each other... so it's really causing chaos there.. Get on the phone if you have to communicate and can't rely on communications getting between institutions now!! SCARY.. may explain some of the difficulties </div></div></div></div>
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