Jeanne Update as of Friday, January 6

Hello, everyone-

I'm not sure what got sent out last, but this is the latest test result that we've received, and the implications. I had an MRI on Friday last week and the results came back Tuesday. This test was the only one that has been able to pick up the possibility of Inflammatory Breast Cancer. None of the pathology reports picked up any cancer cells, but I was still experiencing symptoms, so this doctor kept digging, until this finally showed up. Evidently ultrasounds and mammograms are going to be considered useless for me from here on out. (They didn't show any of this, or the tumor that they found and removed during the last biopsy) The MRI is showing that at this time the lymph nodes are clear, as is the other breast and the chest wall. This was great news. The Doc is going to still do a sentinel node biopsy next week, and make sure no cancer has traveled into the lymphatic system. We are going to need to do a mastectomy, and get rid of any tumor remnants as well as the skin that carries the IBC.

sooo...next things to do are get a chest x-ray and blood work up for the surgery. These are scheduled for tomorrow the 7th, and the surgery is scheduled for next Friday the 14th. It will be up in Lake Oswego with Dr. Richmond, I'll stay overnight, and come home mighty drugged the next day. We have a friend who will come over to help with any stupor type behaviors I may be exhibiting, (geez, I can't wait) and we'll be taking it pretty easy for a while.

Thanks again, a million, for the foot rubs (please don't stop!), the cards,calls and e-mails,offers for help and friendship. We appreciate you all, and you make this uncertain road a little less rocky.

We'll try to keep you posted, thanks!!

Jeanne Hazleton