We're going to Disney!

We're off on the drive to Orlando tomorrow. We're going to Disney for a tournament of Amy's, and a celebration of mom's almost finished chemo journey. Two left! We had a very nice holiday together and even found that Grandma, who passed away in September, had left behind a little encouragement for Mom under the Christmas tree.

Either all the partying or the three months of chemo have gotten Mom pretty tired, though she's been in good spirits. Even more than usual, she is feeling worn out. We're taking a wheelchair with us in case she gets pooped while walking around the parks. here's hoping for some Disney magic that she feels good while we're down there and is able to really enjoy herself. She'll return to a treatment next week, and then back on schedule, one more three weeks later.

Hope all of your holidays were happy and healthy- here's to a blessed 2011.

Overall, it's good news!

Another chemo treatment today, which means I saw the oncologist as well, and she walked in the room and said "the scan was good news" - that was good to hear right off the bat! She said the scan that showed 2 cancerous areas before I started chemo showed nothing when they repeated them last week. Now that doesn't mean there is no cancer left, as this scan only tells them about big areas, its not super-sensitive to small areas, but it means the cancer worked/is working on the larger areas. So we finish the chemo - 2 more after the new year - and then we talk about surgery.

Surgery options will be a little interesting, because they think the cancer got into the tissue they used for reconstruction, and that presents some problems. That is one of the areas that doesn't show cancer now, but it wouldn't show small or micropscopic areas. If I hadn't already had a mastectomy, they would likely be recommending one just to be on the safe side.  For one, they can't get to the suspected area to biopsy it, and if its really just small little areas of cancer left, the biopsy might not pick it up.

So after the holidays I will go talk to the plastic surgeon to see what's involved in removing the reconstruction, and what my options are for other forms of reconstruction once we get past these shorter term treatments. I wouldn't have been ready for such a step 7 years ago, so I guess God really does give you only what you can handle, as I think I could be pretty Ok with such a step now. If the choice comes down to keep what I have but not be sure that we got it all, or get rid of the "fake one" and be as sure as possible that the cancer is gone (which isn't 100% but its a whole lot better odds than the other choice) , I think I'll be able to get used to that idea pretty quick. I did get a "tummy tuck" with the first reconstruction, maybe I"ll take the "boob job" option this time around and get all new ones :)

In the meantime, feeling pretty good now, looking forward to a good weekend and the girls starting to come home for the holidays, got some good tips on how to handle the overall yucky feeling I had last time the "week after",  and looking forward to a little longer break before the next treatment (it will be 4 weeks this time, as we are going to Disney after Christmas - Amy is playing soccer and we are going to enjoy a little "Disney magic" as well - all but Steve who will be enjoying his own little version of heaven - a wrestling tournament in Wisconsin "with the guys").

Thanks for the ride home today Laura, and the great conversation. And thanks for all those who were praying for me for good test results today. I was a bit superstitious, because Jim left later today to take Amy to a soccer tournament in Memphis. He took Julie to this same tounament twice when she was in high school - the first time someone hit my car and totalled it, and the second time was when I found out I had cancer the first time, and there I was in each case looking at a lonely weekend dealing with stuff. So I was convinced the trend would continue and I'd hear bad news again just as he was off for Memphis - I'm SOOOOO glad it turned out so much better. This lousy chemo that I hate so bad is at least working, making it a lot easier to "stomach" things (oh, that was a bad pun!) I made a point of asking Mom to look out for me this week, and she came through for me!

Love to you all,
Teri

Awaiting News...

Mom got a semi-update from one doctor last week about the results of her MRI, PET, and various other scans, but has not heard anything conclusive as of yet. We're waiting on the final new so please continue to keep her in your prayers and hope for good news!

On a sadder and hopefully not similar note, please keep Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of former presidential nominee/ scumbag John Edwards, in your prayers. She has been battling cancer and recently was told further treatment would not be productive, so can sure use some thoughts in the twilight of her struggle.

[Update: Elizabeth Edwards passed away this morning. Sad news.]

Checking In

Tomorrow morning Mom will have an MRI to check the progress of the chemotherapy. Prayers, luck and everything her way!

Another long week - but halfway done!

Whew, that was another long week. First couple days after a treatment are OK, but then I get very tired, as Julie said, and every part of my body seems to move in slow motion and weigh a ton. This time I also find myself very sad and depressed, maybe because of Thanksgiving without Mom? I don't think anyone really liked being "home for the holidays" with me, and I didn't really like it much either. Plus food tends to taste funny (sort of metallic) after a treatment, and the stuffing and sweet potatoes just didn't taste the same on Thanksgiving. We did have a nice family day seeing the Harry Potter movie on Friday with a nice dinner following. And today I am starting to feel a little better, a little more energetic, a little less down. So now half the treatments are down, and half the "week afters" as well.

On Wednesday and Friday I go for repeats of some scans they did before chemo started. This will tell them if the chemo is working, and how well, and help line up treatment decisions for post-chemo (including whether I'll need any more surgery or not). So please keep me in your prayers, because I sure hope this chemo is doing something positive for all the negative effects it is having on me!

1/2 Way!

Three chemo's down, three to go. Mom had her third chemo Friday, *whilst Jenny was busy winning with Denison in Iowa at the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament and advancing to the Elite 8, where they lost in PKs*.

Mom's starting to get tired, as she has been the week following the chemo treatments. But hopefully will be feeling better in about a week.

Another quick note...

The Mayo Clinic has a Cancer Healing Blog, and in the post linked here, the writer addresses humor's role in healing. As many of you know, our family employs that method more than any other when it comes to our cancer encounters. Her post says there is actually a small link between literally laughing and healing. Worth taking a look at.

Today's a Holiday

In honor of Mom's 3rd Chemotherapy Treatment today, this post celebrates a holiday- and reminds us how we can control our own destinies. (at least a little bit!)

Today is National Public Health Day. Public Health is the preventative side of medicine. It is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals."

The field is responsible for things like the discovery of the link between lung cancer and smoking, and the biology behind the AIDS virus. When you read about various risk factors for cancer and other diseases, this is where it comes from.

You can join the Public Health Heroes Thank You Facebook Page, by clicking this link.

Taking steps now can help us all avoid cancer. There is a widget on this blog on the right from the American Cancer Society listing various risky behaviors associated with cancer. These include high dietary fat intake, low vegetable and fruit consumption, low physical activity, pollution, high alcohol consumption, smoking, and high UV ray exposure. A low fat diet, healthy activity, and adamant cancer screening are the best ways to prevent cancer in your life. Mom will tell you, she almost didn't get the mammogram that first diagnosed her, and waiting another few months could have been disastorous. Make sure you're getting your colonoscopies, mammograms, PSA tests, and other screening tests that you have been recommended for based on age and family history!

Also- yesterday marked the beginning of the Great American Smokeout! Below you can see the EXTREMELY HIGH correlation between smoking and lung cancer death. This figure does not even include lung cancer diagnosis. Just death. So please take care of yourself!

Sorry for the preaching- but a good day to look at our behaviors and what we can do to avoid the very reason for this blog. A lot of cancer is environmental and a lot of cancer is due to genetic susceptibility. But if we can get rid of the cancer that's due to our own behavior, that would be a great thing!

Be healthy! And send a prayer to Mom in her chemo!
Julie

A Cancer Vaccine!

A cancer vaccine has been shown to reduce tumor size in an animal model.

“Inserted anywhere under the skin — much like the implantable contraceptives that can be placed in a woman’s arm — the implants activate an immune response that destroys tumor cells,” Mooney said.

The technique may have powerful advantages over surgery and chemotherapy, and may also be useful in combination with existing therapies. It only targets tumor cells, avoiding collateral damage elsewhere in the body. And, much as an immune response to a bacterium or virus generates long-term resistance, researchers anticipate that cancer vaccines will generate permanent and bodywide resistance against cancerous cells, providing durable protection against relapse.

A nice message....

Second week seems to be easier

I'll second everything Julie said, but come Sunday night/Monday morning (so that's about 10 days after a treatment) I start getting my energy back. This week I'm feeling more like myself again, so I guess I get about 10 days of that before the next treatment. And it was lovely having my daughter home to hang out with me when I didn't feel like doing too much - be it doing nothing WITH me, or doing stuff so I didn't have to! Jenny's turn up next, as she will be home on Thanksgiving break when it hits next time!

1/3 Mile Checkpoint

By my calculations we are almost at the 1/3 checkpoint through this chemo process. Of course after that there is a bit left, but let's call that the warm down... Mom is very tired. She can confirm this, and I've been careful not to say how she's feeling since I haven't been there to see, but I'll venture to guess its something like when you just got done with the flu and you're totally wiped out and sleep in too late and need one more day to sleep it off. When you wanna cuddle up and just lay all day. Except she feels like that every day for a little more than the week after her treatment. So this weekend that's a lot of what we did!

Friday we sent Amy off to MND's homecoming dance. We ventured around to the little girls' city tournament basketball games which they were excellent at. And mom roused up enough energy to yell her "COUGARS" cheer and jibe the refs with me and dad. And then Mom and I spent all Saturday afternoon watching all three Back to the Future movies, which is confusing after a while because you see the same scene 8 times 10 different ways. We may have been tripping on Halloween candy a bit by the end. And the family came over for Becky's 10th birthday party on Sunday.

So from my dip back home for the weekend, that's my little update on how she's really doing. She's very tired, but not feeling ill. She's getting very dry eyes from the treatments, so if anyone has suggestions or tip for dry eyes with contacts she'll appreciate them! And Mom, you can correct any of this... The next chemo session is the week before Thanksgiving.

A Hug for Your Head

I found this company, L. Erickson, who is a high end hair ornament design company. They have a program that was recommended to me called "Good Wishes". I decided to post their program on here, because they have trouble getting the word out to breast cancer patients about this really generous thing they do for people. So spread the word if you know anyone else who is going through chemo and/or hair loss (this doesn't include the aging men in our families I believe...)!

Need a hug for your head?

Free Headwrap or Scarf from L. Erickson USA

If you are a woman or girl experiencing a loss or thinning of hair as a result of illness or treatment, we’ll send you a scarf in the pattern and color of your choosing, on us! Our beautiful It’s a Wraps or Good Wishes Scarves are made from soft and silky, hand-picked breathable fabrics that flatter your face, protect you from sun and cold, and carry with them good wishes wherever you go. To receive a complimentary scarf or headwrap due to chemotherapy and hair loss, contact Laurie Erickson for more information, or call 888.884.3653. Click here to see examples of our It's A Wrap.

Our Story

As a CEO of my own company and 20 years of experience in the fashion accessories industry under my belt, one of my most memorable moments came with a simple question asked by a loyal customer, Hillary, who had recently undergone chemotherapy. What did I have for someone who had lost the very thing that I had built much of my business around: Hair. I apologized and told her we did not carry anything of that nature, and then it hit me. Why not offer her something that in my view was arguably even more vibrant and beautiful? For years I had worked with the finest cotton and silk fabrics with the most beautiful and inspiring colors and designs. I offered to send Hillary a scarf at no charge. It was the least I could do for this woman who was just looking for a little something to make her feel pretty and feminine during a difficult time. At our staff meeting later that week, we took a moment for Hillary and we sent our very first scarf along with our good wishes for a quick recovery. It was at that time that the Good Wishes program was born. - Laurie Erickson, CEO/President, The Finest Accessories® Inc.

Our Mission

Our mission is simple: to provide, free of charge, one beautiful It’s a Wrap or Good Wishes Scarf to women and children experiencing the thinning or loss of hair as a result of illness or treatment, to in some small way, to ease their journey. Our goal is to provide a small bit of comfort and share the power of positive thinking and good wishes with these individuals on their path to healing and recovery.

About Good Wishes

Good Wishes, an L. Erickson USA® program, provides a scarf or an It’s a Wrap to women and girls experiencing a thinning or loss of hair due to illness or treatment at no cost. Each scarf is a gift of hope that carries with it the support and good wishes of our staff and represents the strength and beauty of the woman or child who wears it. All Good Wishes gifts are made with CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements as a special symbol to honor your courage and spirit. L. Erickson USA® and France Luxe® are designer brands of the parent company The Finest Accessories® Inc.

Its amazing how many people out there have thought of really kind ways to give people going through this a little nudge forward. And I know mom can really use it this week. So if you want to share this company with your doctors, or friends, or even shop there for some nice scarves or other things.... they donate 20% of purchase prices to Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation (TNBC) ®, which was launched in 2006 in honor of Nancy Block-Zenna, a young mother who was diagnosed at age 35 with triple negative breast cancer and died less than three years later.

Go DU!

Mom was feeling pretty tired and nauseous off and on so far this week. BUT she did make it up to Jenny's NCAC Conference Tournament game with Dad, which.... they won!! (Against Wittenberg University). Next they play Allegheny College in the Conf. Tournament Final Saturday at Denison. And if they win that game, they go to the NCAA Tournament.

But anyways.... just a baby update that mom was feeling well enough to venture up to Granville for a big win!

Not much to report after Chemo Round 2

I had my second treatment yesterday, and good news, not much to report. I saw the doctor, but she doesn't say much yet, except that I will likely be more fatigued with each round. But then the treatment means sitting in a recliner, watching TV, reading a little since I gave the remote to the older gentleman who DIDN'T want to watch Ellen, and I guess he didn't want to watch anything as he just flipped through channels all day. I enjoyed lunch with my sister, came home and took a nap, watched Becky win her basketball game, and slept well last night. Good medicine they give me has prevented all nausea, so far, so I hope that continues. I am loaded up with Gatorade and Immodium just in case, so stay tuned to see how the week goes! Oh, and I start my new job (still at P&G, just a new work group) Monday, and my hair is getting rather thin by now, so you might see me with my new 'do - or a ball cap in more casual settings since I'm still getting used to wearing a wig.

Serenity

Beyond the window there
 three trees--two maples and a fir,
 a patch of grass, a honeysuckle
 bush not yet in bloom.

 They are doing their great work:
 anchoring the earth and breathing in
 and out to give a great gift to the air.

 In here I share the silence that is theirs.
 I light a pure white candle
 and let it, too, proceed
 to do its work: to shine in silence,
 gather peace for me
 in its soft radiance
 from all four corners of the room.

 I make a cup of tea and break
 a wondrous scone
 a friend has made.

 In silence, too, I have my work
 to do. Breath in, breathe
 out, ask blessings on
 my body's earth,
 and ask for grace
 to give my own gift
 back to the holy air.

--Sr. Eileen Lomasney, CSJ Ballston Lake, N.Y.

Chemo Round Two Tomorrow!

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

Tomorrow is Mom's second round of chemo. Feels like she just did the first one and here we are again already! She'll have to update you on the details of how she's feeling. It's been a busy couple weeks at home (from what I hear) running around to all the kids' games. It's been a true blessing to see the community surrounding our family emerge and really lend time, thoughts, prayers and help in many ways. Thank you to all of you who've made things a little or a lot easier for Mom and Dad these past weeks. I know some of the stories, but I'm sure there are many more, and it's your love more than anything else that keeps everyone's spirits up! It's a true demonstration of why we participate in communities and especially our Catholic one. Going forward, we feel a tiny bit of fear that things may get harder, but also can look around at you and know that we have great friends and family there with us.

Good luck tomorrow, Mom!

Feeling like myself again

Boy, that was a hard week. Started off OK, but I felt like I was going into slow motion 3-4 days after the first treatment. No nausea, just couldn't focus and felt real fuzzy. Then, as Jenny said, I remembered I was supposed to be drinking Gatorade to replace electrolytes. That helped a BUNCH, and I felt pretty good for a day until problems on the OTHER end of the digestive tract slammed me, and I was not feeling very well of moving very fast, if at all, most of the weekend.

But today I felt a lot more like myself, could actually think and do some work, and am thinking I just need to be a little more sensitive to things - I can't just blow symptoms off and bounce back like my "pre-chemo" days. Things might get worse next cycle, I don't know, but I think I made this cycle a little tougher on myself than needed because I wasn't reacting to my body trying to tell me things. I promise, I'll listen better from now on!!!

So a couple more weeks before the next treatmet - and by then some of the fall sports will be wrapping up, which won't be all bad either!!

Thanks to all of you, especially for what you've done to help my kids, in ways I never imagined, and in ways you might have thought I'd never hear about, which makes your help all the more meaningful!

And yes, its still my hair, for now anyway!

Teri

Gatorade fights cancer

This week mom was pretty tired and feeling nasty most of the week. I think she was pretty worried about the toll this will all end up taking on her energy and ability to live normally for the next few months. She'll have to get into the details of that, but she seemed to be down and that Disney visit seemed less probable and more distant.

Wednesday of this week she was reading over the papers her doctors gave her and saw that she was supposed to replace a lot of electrolytes. So Becky, the little Gatorade Hoarder, fetched her a Gatorade, and I'm not sure the speed of it but mom says she felt much much better. Went to work all week even when she was struggling, which I'm sure made feeling better a huge relief so work would be a little easier.

Just to clarify the title, no, Gatorade does not fight cancer. Just helps ya feel better I guess! Mom's like an athlete right now fighting this every day, so guess she needs her Gatorade too. The turnaround due to the electrolytes seems to be a big boost for her, and things are looking up once again. She's up at Jenny's soccer game at Denison right now with Aunt Judi, so getting around and out fine! She'll be able to tell you better than I can how she really feels. But for now, prayers are helping her along and all of your thoughts and words are little blessings in each day.

On the Uphill

Mom is now on the uphill after feeling a little sluggish this week. She was given a shot to increase her white blood cell count. Since white blood cells are made in the bone marrow, the side effect was that her bones might feel pretty achey. After lots of Advil, working from home, and catching up on sleep, mom is starting to feel better. They say hair might start to go around day 10, so this weekend might bring us back down to the bottom of the hill, but mom will make it back to the top! Good thing she already has her wig! Updates might be slim since mom won't receive her next treatment until the end of October! Leave comments or e-mail us if you have questions!

Take care,

Jenny

(Mom in her new wig...can't even tell can you!)

Everything will be okay

It's been awhile since the last update, but mom is doing just fine! When I talked to her this morning, she said she hasn't been sick and hasn't lost any hair. The next few days are the ones the doctor was worried about, but we'll keep you posted on those! The next treatment will be 3 weeks from October 8th, so until the next update...Julie and I will keep ourselves busy learning how to STOP cancer!

Jenny

"Everything comes out right in the end. If it isn't right, it isn't the end."

1 Round Done, 5 To Go!

Mom had her first round of chemotherapy today! She's done and did awesome! Dad said on bag 3 of 4 she fell asleep for awhile and took a little snooze. The doctor says that day 3 or 4 is when things might get a little rough, but mom's a fighter and will be okay. She said things went well, just a little boring...

The doctor also said today that they will be doing 6 rounds instead of 4, so the process will take a little longer than we had hoped, but hey, we also didn't hope for both parents to have cancer...twice! So mom will be done before February, and we'll still be able to make it to Disney world for New Years!

Keep those prayers comin!

Jenny

My kids are articulate and quick bloggers - they get updates here before I get a chance (oh, that's right, I was napping all day through a boring day of IV drips.) It was indeed a boring day, I'm not sick, not throwing up, not napping any more, and not one strand of hair has fallen out yet - though I was thoroughly warned that all that might still be or is coming. (I did try to put a cap on today and scare Becky but it didn't work).

Everyone was very nice, my friend Angela kept looking in on me, I thought I was the youngest one there (and feeling a little sorry for myself) until a very young woman, likely in her 30s, came in, by herself, and I noticed she was getting the same drugs I was - you start to feel sorry for yourself and you can always find some who has a harder path than you do - she will be in my prayers tonight as well.

And we'll have to check on the Disney trip, as right now the two extra treatments have me scheduled for one on New Year's Eve, so I'll have to see if they can adjust the schedule a bit.

I wore a pink shirt my mom had given me in one of her "starting to clean out my old clothes" moments months ago. It did fit (darn) but was a bit "old lady" looking, so I had just put it in the closet. Last night I was looking for something comfortable, big enough neckline to let them get to the port (most T shirts are a tad tight), and found this top from mom - so I've decided that's my "chemo" shirt, and she'll be with me sort of on those days.

I'll let you know in a couple days how I'm feeling, but I promise to NOT share all the gory details!
Teri

For her entertainment....

Thought it might be a good idea for Mom to have some fun stuff to watch tomorrow if she gets bored working/reading/relaxing! If you have a funny you tube video or story or joke, post it below as a comment and we'll compile a list for her to watch tomorrow!

Thanks!

Round 1

Well, tomorrow is the first day in a LONG journey. Mom's got her wig ready and starts her first round of chemotherapy tomorrow! Mom will have 1 round every 3 weeks, for a total of 4 rounds. So far everyone has been pretty upbeat with everything. Mom has been doing a good job of keeping things together at the house and seems to have pretty good spirits. So let's pray she gets a good night sleep and things go well tomorrow! Fight like a champion mom!

Cya cancer,

Jenny

New feature.

Added a new feature on the page last night. Normally there is a place for you to share your "reactions" to a post below it on the site- but I figured you can react with a comment if you so choose. So I altered the reaction feature to be a place for you to send a little virtual prayer, hug, squeeze of the hand, or a little chant. Feel free to check the box(es) right below each post!

Also in case you haven't noticed... there are RSS feeds for news on cancer from the Komen Foundation and Mayo Clinic on the right bar. And tips for living cancer free from the American Cancer Society.



Julie

I never knew what the heck a "port" was....

But if Julie's gonna make me explain, it's sort of a valve and catheter they put under your skin so they can give you chemo without having to hurt your veins so much. Arlene, my sister-in-law, had one, actually had to have two because one got clogged, or infected, or something. Now I see why that's a big deal because it's actually surgery to put it in and take it out. Hurt like heck today, until the pain meds kicked in. And gotta admit, watching Becky's basketball game go to overtime (yes, she scored the winning basket :) was great for taking my mind off how much it hurt, so it's feeling more comfortable now.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

To kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month.... Mom had her port put in for chemo! Here we go folks! In about an hour long surgery this morning, she had a port put in, which she can explain herself cus I don't understand it. She was home recovering this afternoon, and doing really well according to Dad! (Shh.. she's probably napping now...)

And Friday is Chemo Numero Uno. Stay tuned...

Chemo starts next week

So now the plan is use the chemo to kill off the cancer, or shrink it a lot. Then they'll decide if they need to do any more surgery. I have a small surgery next week to put in a port so they can "pour" the chemo and the anti-body in, and the chemo starts next Friday. I'm gathering good books to read on chemo day, but I suspect I will probably just nap :) Thanks for all the offers to sit with me, but I'm looking forward to just some "me" time, reading, watching TV, napping, maybe catching up on some of those movies I've never seen, only heard on the way to and from vacation. Maybe I'll even do some real work for work, who knows?

Teri

A little background

As I talk to many of you, I realizee how many new friends I've made since the "c" word hit our household, so I feel like a little background might be helpful for some - I'll condense and spare all the medical details!

In Dec 2003 I went for a routine mammogram (thanks to Robin Fuss for nagging me not to forget). It showed something and I went for a biopsy. Turns out I had Stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma (in situ, meaning it didn't get out any place yet). Two lumpectomies later they still didn't get it all, so in Mar 04 I had a mastectomy (yes, what you thought was a breast all along is really recycled abdomen fat - isn't medicine wonderful!). I was given the all clear.

In winter of 2004 Jim went for a routine checkup, which showed some prostate symptoms, and a biopsy showed he had an early but aggressive prostate cancer. He had surgery to remove the prostate, radiation, and was given the all clear.

Last summer, his PSA started going back up, slowly, but it shouldn't go up at all for people without a prostate - uh, oh, didn't get it all. There isn't enough there to be causing a tumor, but it's "out of the bag" so to speak. So the hormone therapy to kill it all off, slowly his PSA will rise, more hormones to kill it all off, well you get the picture.

This summer I notice a bump on top of my reconstructed bump. Doctor says the same formula we've heard before : "well it is likely this, but we need to rule out that", and of course, it turns out to be "that" - a new cancer, in the little remaining breast tissue left behind (sort of like scooping out a watermelon, you don't get every breast cell in a mastectomy, and there was just enough left for a new cancer to form in. )

That brings you up to speed, gives the details for those who didn't know us back then, and explains the Double Jeopardy title a little more .....

An intro and welcome

Thanks for checking the blog! As you all must know- Mom is currently battling breast cancer (round 2) and Dad is also battling prostate cancer (also round 2). Mom was originally diagnosed my sophomore year of high school (guess that was 2003?) and Dad my junior year (spring 2005?). Quick summary- Dad was placed on hormone therapy to basically kill off any food for the cancer. That treatment had the potential for some nasty side effects and potential to cause heart weakening. So Dad jumped into exercising and eating really healthy and has done an amazing job at it. He quickly moved from a novice runner to running 4 miles a pop, has lost weight, and his side effects seemed to be minimized by his hard work. Though he did experience some of them. The treatment was successful extremely quickly- and now they wait for the PSA to go up again, indicating growth/return in significant numbers of the cancer cells. Then he will go back onto the therapy. As indicated in the posts below- Monday he was tested again and its not back yet! The longer it takes the better!

The updates on Mom have been pretty much summarized in the emails that I have added below. This all kind of appeared in the last month.

Mom and Dad and our family will use this blog to update as she begins her chemotherapy and he continues his own trek. Jenny and I wanted to start this because from our past bouts with cancer, we've all learned that sometimes people want to ask but think it might be upsetting (to us it generally is not- Deans love to talk!), and it also helps to know that people do know what is going on. It's hard to keep track of who knows what- and especially with the hills and valleys Mom is about to face- news will probably come up quicker than it has before.

Storms have a way of finding us... but life's a beach!

Please share your comments, personal stories, prayers and thoughts on here. This is not just our family's journey, but all of our community's as we all push Jim and Teri toward good health with our prayers and support. A few words can go a long way!

Peace, love, prostates and boobs,
Julie

"Some days there won't be a song in your heart.  Sing anyway".  ~Emory Austin

"Since you asked..." 9-28-10

Since many of you asked me to let you know about how my further testing went last week, here’s what I know now.

After more MRIs and tests than I want to remember (cancer takes up a lot of time, and costs a lot of co-pays L ) turns out the cancer did NOT seem to get outside the breast, DID appear to move into the reconstruction I had 6 years ago, and IS a very aggressive cancer that they tell me they’ve just developed some good chemo treatment for in the last 2 years. So I guess timing helps a lot. They’ve also determined it’s a new cancer, that grew in the little bit of breast tissue left when they do a mastectomy – lucky me! But actually there is something about this cancer that only happens 25% of the time that makes this new drug work (herceptin, in case that means something to you), so that is a good bit of luck.

And so after 3 docs conferring and second opinions, etc, I start chemo as soon as they can get everything ready (more scans and tests, and a port to put the chemo in for the next year). Likely first dose next week. Plan is 4 treatments every 3 weeks, so I should be done with chemo by Christmas (and bald by Halloween – yay, I can dress as Uncle Festus for Halloween J ). Then they will re-evaluate what the “disease” (they don’t call it a tumor right now, not sure what that means)  to see if I need more surgery or if they can just move ahead with radiation. Another type of chemo drug continues for a whole year, but that kind doesn’t make you sick and doesn’t make your hair fall out, or so they tell me.

The chemo doctor is a straight shooter – I asked her if I would be OK – she said yes, but it would take me a year to get there. And maybe it would have been too hard for Mom to watch me go through that, and loose my hair and worry about me, and that's why he took her now (that sounds really self-centered, as he took her away from lots of us, not just me, but gotta admit I'm glad to have an extra angel in my court right now.)

And on more positive notes:

·         Jim’s prostate cancer continues to be held in check by the hormone therapy he has been receiving – he just went this week  for a check and I was fearing the worse.

·         Dad (and the rest of us) are doing OK after Mom’s passing. Dad is finding the business of clearing up stuff keeps him adequately busy, and it doesn’t seem to be bothering him too much. And I think he is sleeping better than he has in a while. I’ll probably tell him about all this cancer stuff this weekend, since I think he might notice my new hair.

Thanks to all of you for rides, meals, patience, etc. And of course, please keep us all in your prayers.

Teri

Teri Update 9-24-10

Dr. Hernandez (breast surgeon) called me tonight with the results of the MRIs from this week. She told me the Breast MRI showed nothing significant in the right (unaffected) breast. She said the right breast showed some cancer just past where they’d originally been excising, as well as a 3 cm area more toward the center. She said it looks like the disease has affected the tram flap reconstruction. That makes her think they will want to take the reconstruction down, but she will consult with Dr. Levick and Dr. Chua next week (though Dr. Chua told me yesterday that if the reconstruction had any cancer in it she thinks they should take it out). Hernandez says some additional reconstruction remains an options after all the radiation and chemo are over, such as a back shoulder flap.

On the brighter side, she said the liver MRI showed just some fat infiltrating the liver (no surprise, I have plenty of fat!) , and somewhat outside the liver, and the thoracic xray showed just some degeneration of the bones there.

Though I’m not thrilled about not having any kind of bump on the right side to look like a breast, sounds like maybe that can be rectified later if I like, and I think its good news that the breast cancer is NOT in the liver or the spine. I think that sounds like VERY good news.

I still have the mammogram on Monday, hopefully that will continue to show nothing on the left. If not, maybe I’ll just give up on breasts all together !