We received shocking news this week, yet yesterday our oncologist called my wife’s tumors “boring” – a good sign. Shermance has stage 2 ductile cancer (the most common type) – with 2 tumors in her right breast, the largest the size of a golf ball. From the sonogram and biopsy, the tumor has not yet spread into the muscles or the lymph nodes (which would indicate stage 3) though more conclusive tests are still pending. Test results so far are promising with expected treatment efficacy in 85-95% range. Woohoo! The bastard cells have receptors for estrogen and progesterone which is great news for the medical treatment she is about to undergo. We are waiting on a final receptor test, and hoping for a triple positive (the best possibility). We are also waiting on the results of the biological propensity test, which if it indicates a hereditary disposition for cancer would guide us toward different treatment.
We’ve already started some of our own therapy treatments ahead of the typical triplet treatment of chemo, surgery and radiation (if needed). Thursday we tried hypnotherapy, which is cutting edge and research shows positive results for slowing the growth of cancer and even reducing the size of the tumor. We hope for the latter. Our therapist also helped us focus on PMA – a positive mental attitude that will undoubtedly help us as we begin this struggle for longevity. So far retail therapy is proving to be the most effective treatment J which included the purchase of a fierce Coach satchel that will hold our “cancer folder”. We continued therapy last night with theatrical therapy when we went to see “The Avengers” at a time when we really need a super hero. We’ll also try travel therapy at the end of this month when we travel to Chicago for a previously planned trip to visit family.
At the beginning of this week we were welcoming the birth of our niece, celebrating the move of Shermance’s parents into town from North Carolina, striving towards the next ranks in Tae Kwon Do, and working on strengthening our family relationships, and now we are scheduling back-to-back appointments, preparing for loss of hair as Shermance enters into chemotherapy, and shopping for do-rags. We are committed to this fight. We strongly believe Shermance will be a survivor!
We appreciate your prayers for Shermance. We are asking for hope and healing during this very difficult time.
Upcoming treatments:
· PET/CT scan on Saturday (today)
· Chemo training on Monday
· Visit w/ surgeon on Tuesday
· Lymph biopsy and duct insertion Wednesday (if possible)
· First chemo treatment Friday
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