The Nipplemania Newsletter was established in 2004: I had just retired from thirty-three years of teaching only to find, the day before my retirement party, that I had breast cancer. It’s a long story and it begins here.

I just wanted to say that I had a double lumpectomy on August 26th. Actually, what my surgeon calls it is a “lumpectomy and a mini-lumpectomy.” See the previous post for details here

I am forever in the debt of my friends: M, who took me for the “scout” implant which marked the areas with radar markers for the doctor to track in surgery, and to R who took me for the surgery, took me home, waited with me for my sister to arrive to stay with me for a few days.

Thank you.

So, now more thanks: my surgeon did not get the pathology report until today. That is weeks of waiting. Apparently what happened was that TEN PATHOLOGISTS walked out of the health system due to OVERWORK. TEN. Thus, taxing the system and leaving the work to whomever was left, to work deep into the night. Think of the ramifications. People who might need to begin cancer treatment or any other treatment would have a delay. Covid took over and booted the “normal” illnesses off the pathology slides.

The message that was left, finally, was that there was no cancer: no DCIS, therefore no need for any follow up treatment.

Big sigh of relief. Everyone take a deep breath.

Oh, not sure if I told you but the genetic test results were finally reported to me by Robert’s neurologist: his issue is not genetic. That’s good.

And, remember the story of the patio chair? That has been resolved. It is back and fixed as well as it could be.

Sometimes patience and positive thinking are a big help.

📌A call from the surgeon is disquieting. Another post is coming.

The Index to the series is here

The last post in this series is here

The next post is here