The summer of 2007 has been a busy and hectic one. My youngest daughter Tedra was married on Oct 6th (Thanksgiving weekend). Five days after her wedding I discovered a large lump in my left breast. A day later I noticed there was also inflammation and redness. After doing some research on the internet, it did not come as a surprise when our family doctor said "this is worrisome"and "more than likely cancer".
My doctor proceeded to schedule me for an ultrasound guided biopsy and consultation with a surgeon. The biopsy confirmed that I had ductal carcinoma. The surgeon was uncertain whether surgery or treatment would need to be first, however he was quite certain that I had IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer). After further tests (mammogram, bone scan, ultrasound, xray) there was no evidence of the cancer spreading (thank you Jesus). They concluded that because of the size of the tumor (approx 5cm) and possibility of micro cells within my body, chemotherapy would be the first route of action. I was then referred to the cancer clinic.
On Friday, November 16th I met with an oncologist at the Juravinski cancer clinic in Hamilton. After examination, he determined the tumor had grown to a size of 10cm x 8cm...it had more than tripled in size in just a few short weeks! He chose AC & Taxol chemotherapy for me. This means 2 drugs, AC (Adriamycin & Cyclophosphamide) will be given every 2 weeks and repeated 4 times. The Taxol treatment begins after the AC treatment is completed. It will also be administered every 2 weeks and repeated 4 times. The total treatment time will last 16 weeks. To my surprise, he wanted me to begin just 5 days later.
This has been a time of learning to trust the Lord, one day at a time, one step at a time. We chose to share the news early on and are grateful for the prayers and wonderful support we have from friends and family. We are continuing to trust God for good things because God IS good!
My doctor proceeded to schedule me for an ultrasound guided biopsy and consultation with a surgeon. The biopsy confirmed that I had ductal carcinoma. The surgeon was uncertain whether surgery or treatment would need to be first, however he was quite certain that I had IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer). After further tests (mammogram, bone scan, ultrasound, xray) there was no evidence of the cancer spreading (thank you Jesus). They concluded that because of the size of the tumor (approx 5cm) and possibility of micro cells within my body, chemotherapy would be the first route of action. I was then referred to the cancer clinic.
On Friday, November 16th I met with an oncologist at the Juravinski cancer clinic in Hamilton. After examination, he determined the tumor had grown to a size of 10cm x 8cm...it had more than tripled in size in just a few short weeks! He chose AC & Taxol chemotherapy for me. This means 2 drugs, AC (Adriamycin & Cyclophosphamide) will be given every 2 weeks and repeated 4 times. The Taxol treatment begins after the AC treatment is completed. It will also be administered every 2 weeks and repeated 4 times. The total treatment time will last 16 weeks. To my surprise, he wanted me to begin just 5 days later.
This has been a time of learning to trust the Lord, one day at a time, one step at a time. We chose to share the news early on and are grateful for the prayers and wonderful support we have from friends and family. We are continuing to trust God for good things because God IS good!
3 comments:
Hello Joy,
I'm sitting here wondering what to say to someone whom I have never met and yet fills my head with thoughts and prayers.
My name is Wendy, I am a friend of Andrea's and know Tedra as well.
Coming alongside :-)
Thank you for sharing your life with us out here in blogland.
Hi Joy I just want to say my prayers are with you and thank you for sharing your life with everyone as it helps other people that might have the same thing feel more comfortable with it knowing that there is someone out there going through the same thing that they are going through Please keep me informed Love you your sisterinlaw Eva
Hi Joy,
May the presence of Jesus be with you and heal you on the inside and out. When difficult times come some people ask where is Jesus in all this? The answer is He is going through cemo with you.
My love and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Peter Byers (a friend of Andrea's and Tedra's)
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