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

Medical Background up to the Jan 6th update.

This site was created (by Valerie Hazleton, thank you also to the Bacho family) to provide you with a quick method of keeping informed of Jeanne Hazleton's health and medical condition. While this is a public website, we are trying to maintain some anonymity. For example, we do not list any personal information, or addresses. With the use of this site, we may reduce the number of emails that we send out.

If you have not been on our previous bulk mailing email list, here is a brief history of Jeanne's medical journey.

In November 2004, Jeanne was experiencing some discomfort in her left breast. After two rounds of antibiotics, and two ultrasound exams, there was no improvement. A mammogram revealed the same thickening of the derma (skin)that the ultrasound showed, but no tumors or masses. The radiologist recommended that we see a surgeon immediately to rule-out inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). (for more info, you can visit http://ibcsupport.org, or http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/Cancertype/Breast/Typesofbreastcancer/Inflammatorybreastcancer)

The surgeon performed a "punch" biopsy, which indicated there was no IBC, but there was a suspicious finding in the pathology report. Due to the this, and the surgeon's concern in another part of the tissue, she recommended a second surgical biopsy. The second biopsy also showed no IBC, but the surgeon did remove part of a cancerous tumor.

So, the plan is to possibly undergo a surgery, possibly a mastectomy soon. First, though an MRI is scheduled to ensure there is no concern elsewhere.

Please read the next postings for further information.

Thanks.