Patty's new Dr. appointments have been rescheduled for April 2nd. See blog comments posted on March 20th for details.

Frustration Continues

Patty's Doctor appointments for Monday have been cancelled as the Oncotype-DX test results are still not available. We received a call at 6:00 p.m. Friday from the oncologist office informing us the tissue samples just arrived at the lab on Thursday. It is anybody's guess where they have been for the last two weeks. Apparently it will be another two weeks before we know anything. Obviously, this is very frustrating for all of us  and Patty in particular. The other tests, Petscan and Bone Density, have been done and we will get the results at our next meeting with the doctors (date unknown at this time). I will keep you posted as to the latest developments as we proceed forward.

In Limbo

Patty met with oncologist and radiation doctors today but the results are still in limbo pending additional tests which will take an additional two weeks. The first test is called an Oncotype-DX which analyses 21 genes to determine her risk factors for the cancer coming back or spreading. There are 3 risk factors........high (chemo a certainty).......low (only radiation needed) .......medium(a gray area where several different options may be implemented). The other test is a PET scan which will determine if the cancer has spread to other areas of the body. PET scan scheduled for March 18th.

Today was a typical Monday where everything went wrong. Neither doctor had the pathology report and we had to wait for it to be sent over. Also, Patty's medical file was inter dispersed with another cancer patient who had infected lymph nodes and it took a while for all of us to separate the proper lab reports, biopsies, surgery, exams, etc. The doctors were confused, we were confused and I guess it was Murphy's law.

So, another blog report will be forthcoming on March 22th which hopefully will answer all of our questions. Please keep the prayers coming and thank you for the great support you have shown Patty. Much appreciated.

pathology repott

Some more good news. Received pathology report from Dr. Beverly Talbert at 5:15 p.m. Friday. Report confirmed lymph nodes were clear. Both tumors removed were cancerous, the largest being 1.2 centimeters. Both were considered Stage 1 and that is really good news. The oncologist will make the determination as to future treatment regarding chemo but Dr. Talbert believes only radiation will be necessary.  Appointment with Dr. McMinn and Dr. Prahbu is scheduled for March 8th and we will know at that time for sure about the type of treatment going forward. So, we are very pleased. Many  prayers have been answered. Thanks to all of you.

patty surgery update

Patty was in surgery for approximately one hour and forty five minutes. Both tumors were removed along with sentinel lymph node. No other lymph nodes were removed as on site lab tests showed the lymph node was clear. Patty was in recovery from 4:15 until 6:45 pm. She is home now and resting but still feeling the side effects(very tired, queasy, etc.) Many thanks to everyone who came out to be with my family and to support Patty. You will never know how much it meant to us. God bless each and every one of you. Patty's surgery was a success and the initial reports are very good. Thank you all for your prayers and support. More later when I can think a little clearer as we are all so tired. God Bless. Gary.

Surgery was Successful

The surgery was extremely successful and Patty is doing okay.  The dye they injected earlier in the day did not travel to her lymph nodes so she did not have to have them removed from under her arm! This is very good news as this means the cancer did not travel (as far as we know).  They did remove one lymph node to examine in a lab under a microscope.  But as it stands, the surgery went as good as it could go and the outlook is could.

We will know more when the lab results come back and after her first run of radiation.

So far, everything is going as planned and we are very pleased with the results.

-Derek

Timeline of Patty's Surgery Tomorrow (Wednesday, 2/24)

8 A.M. - Patty will be going into Mercy Hospital to fill out her paperwork.

8:30 AM - Patty will go to Nuclear Medicine to get a dye injection.  This is how they'll determine if there are lymph nodes involved in her cancer.  If the dye doesn't travel to her lymph nodes, then they won't be removed. We are hoping that is the case because that means the chances that the cancer has spread to other parts of her body is greatly reduced.  If the dye does travel to her lymph nodes, then she will receive additional surgery underneath her arm to have them removed.

9:30 AM - Patty will go to radiology to have two guide wires inserted in the exact spot the cancer resides.  The surgeon will use these guide wires to pinpoint the cancer's location during the removal process.

2:00 PM - Patty will go into surgery to have the cancer removed.  Two golf ball sized sections will be removed around the cancer sites.

4:00 PM Patty will come out of surgery and cook us all dinner.

Patty will recover and attend radiation (and possibly chemo) on March 8th.