But wait, there's more.

By TEAM ANISSA

August 11^th, 2014

WEEK 4

August 11, 2014

The weekend had finally come after a very long week. Last week wiped us out – mentally, emotionally and physically. In addition to the two days of tests this week there was the usual running around and hectic days at work. It was still summer vacation for the kids so we were trying to keep them active as well. Anissa was supposed to go downtown to a work related event on Saturday but instead decided to stay close to home. I didn’t have any shoots booked this weekend, so in-between a run or two to the market and having a tire replaced, we were able to enjoy some family time. We all needed it.

Monday morning, or “results day” as it was becoming known as arrived too soon like it always does. Today we would review last week’s MRI and PET scan results. The MRI showed the mass being larger than originally thought. Based on this new information – Anissa was considered Stage II. Still treatable. Still not in the nodes. Just bigger.

But wait, there’s more. The MRI picked up something on the right breast and the PET scan showed an “increased metabolic uptake” on the left ovary. Because, y’know, apparently breast cancer wasn’t enough to worry about.

Now that there was more to consider – something on the right breast, something on the ovary. It was another Wednesday filled with tests. First up, an ultrasound of the left ovary. As we walked towards the exam room, I reminded Anissa of the last time she had an ultrasound “down there”. It was when we were finding out that Jonathan, was in fact, going to be our “son”. As we waited for the technician to enter the room, I snuck the shot you see above. Yes, it’s grainy and dark – but hey, who else do you know that has a selfie prior to an trans-uteran ultrasound…at least we were having fun with this.

Soon after the ultrasound we headed back over to the Breast Center for that second look ultrasound of the right breast. This would determine how what they see would eventually be biopsied. (guided by ultrasound or MRI). Sure enough, the blip in the MRI was too deep and located towards the chest wall so an MRI biopsy would be in order.

The radiologist came in to discuss the findings. She was a very nice woman – well dressed, well put together and simply looked like someone you would be inclined to trust. If she wasn’t a radiologist, she could certainly play one on TV. The only thing I found odd was that throughout the conversation explaining what she’d seen on the report – she kept touching Anissa’s left breast…a few times. She’d do this while circling her index finger in the air as if she was drawing the letter “O”… then moving in closer to cop another feel while saying something like, “You’ve got a lot going on in there”. All that was missing was her making a “boop” sound upon impact. I could see Anissa wince with anticipation of her doing it again while trying to stay focused on what she was saying. Awkward would be a good word to describe that experience.

Side note: The technicians, doctors, PA’s, office staff and pretty much anyone we’ve come into contact with has been exceptionally kind and helpful. Has there been some radical change in the way they train hospital or medical staff in general with regard to bedside manner? Maybe it’s because word of mouth spreads so quickly these days and reviews last seemingly forever thanks to Yelp and RateMD.com. Maybe it’s the diagnosis – would Anissa be treated this well and compassionately if her diagnosis was different. I just needed to mention that throughout all of this, so far, it’s been a strange feeling to have this much support and help from the medical staff.

Thursday we had our first meeting with an oncologist. He agreed with everything we’ve learned so far from the other doctors. He also reminded us of the good news: Anissa’s cancer was HER2-Neg and not growing very quickly.

It was still summer and the kids were growing a bit restless. They had a few fun days with friends here and there. We had talked about putting in a pool early in the summer and were still playing around with designs. When we were hit with the news of Anissa’s breast cancer we put all that on hold. We also placed a hold on any vacations… Feeling guilty we had to offer an alternative. My in-laws offered to have the kids come and visit them. They live 2 hours away. I got the impression Jonathan didn’t want to leave his friends hanging with no one to talk to on the other side of an xbox headset and Isabella didn’t feel comfortable being away from Anissa.

We both had busy weeks ahead… I had a few weddings coming up and some corporate shoots to do during the week as well – Anissa and I explained to the kids that hanging out at Gigi and Pop-Pop’s would be a summer vacation of sorts and reinforced that mom will be okay while they are gone. They felt relieved and off they went. They ended up staying much longer than we thought they would – not for any other reason then they were just having good old fashioned fun at their grandparent’s house. They didn’t realized it but their time away from cancertown was very much needed.