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many have offered us support, sympathy, and prayers. I'd like to
start this page by expressing the gratitude my family and I feel. Your
prayers are a source of comfort and strength. Whatever the outcome, we know the Lord is with us.
Additionally, it is encouraging to know, from the posts on the TC; Bike Night; and other forums, that others have gone through similar experiences. From all of the family, thank you so very much. |
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Update: 9:30 am 2/17/2008
Mom is doing well. Sharon and I went up to Cabot on Saturday the
9th and stayed the night. We rode the bike up 67. (Five 1/2 hours
staying off the Super Slab.)Mom, Kelly, and Jerry have moved into a different house. This one us much more comfortable, and closer to town. Mom is in good spirits and doing well. She was having good days last weekend. She continues to regain some of the weight she lost, and is losing the skeletal look around her eyes. We appreciate every body's prayers. |
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Update: 6:12 pm 1/24/2008
Mom saw Mendelson today. The tumor has
responded well. It's about ¼ the size it was.
The tumor has a protein called /har2new/ that responds to herceptin. Herceptin attacks har2new. He is encouraged and wants to attack the cancer more aggressively. He will increase the chemotherapy sessions to once a week. She already has a port, so she's ready for the chemotherapy. Two chemo drugs, Taxol and Carboplatin. She get all three weekly for six to eight weeks. Then he'll stop Carboplatin and continue with the other two drugs. Then another six to eight weeks. Then he'll do another scan.( 12 to 16 weeks total) If things look good, she will take only hereptin (which has virtually no side effects.) for another six to eight weeks. Might be able to go into complete remission. He'll be doing checkup scans every few weeks. He will continue to check until either the drugs stop working, or until they can't find signs of the cancer. There are some risks associated with this regiment. Possible side effects of the herceptin on first use only, chills and fever, vomiting nausea, bone and joint pain. |
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Update: 9:15 pm 1/3/2008
Mom saw the surgeon today. We have a
little more info on her condition. Betty was there and will send me a
more detailed report that I'll post. For now, here is what I
understand the situation to be.
The two pieces of bad new are that she does have stage 4 cancer, and it is not estrogen sensitive. There is some good news. It is of a kind that has a protein coat that responds well to chemotherapy. They want to postpone surgery until the chemo is complete. We're talking about a period of months. Then, they hope to do only a modified radical procedure. Serious surgery, but not quite as drastic as a full radical. No one can make promises. Even less so at this early stage, but the surgeon assures us she would not recommend treatment for only six months or so life extension. We may be looking at six months, or three years. She says she has one patient who was as advanced as Mom who is now 20 years post treatment. It sounds as though we may have a fighting shot at a valuable length of quality life. As always, your prayers are appreciated. |
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Update: 12:30 pm 12/30/2007
I talked with Mom this morning. She
sounds good and says she's feeling good. No bad nausea so far, but
she does get a little tired.
She had company up from Gillett Saturday. I know Lauria and Delma were there. I'm not sure who else was there. She's talked with Ralph, Jacky Beam and Jack Wheatley. Those chats always lift her spirits. |
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Update: 11:00 am 12/28/2007
She does have an aggressive form of breast cancer. It's metastasized into her
lungs, liver, and bones. It is NOT in her brain as I first thought. She started chemo yesterday. (December 27) The lab results were only partially in, so they will probably refine and refocus her chemo once the full labs are in. The oncologists wants to get her “operable” as soon as possible. They will be removing something, but at this point we don't know if it will be just the lump or a more radical procedure. She will meet with the surgeon next Thursday. (Jan 3) Hopefully we will know more then. So far she is in good spirits. She says she's going to fight this thing, but that either way she wins. She either has more time with us, or will be with Dad and Jesus. She says either way, she wins. |