[Women] medical update from Cindy Taylor

[Cindy Taylor]

Hi dear FUUSM  Friends,
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.)
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.
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..
     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.
Holding you all in the light, too during this challenging time.
Cindy Taylor
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
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