Received News before Tuesday

Not often do we receive news before expected, but I received a phone call from the Medical Oncologist, Dr AJ, in St. Joseph, today. Dr. Silva had called him with the results of the lymph node biopsy. I wanted results and I wanted a plan and I wanted to fight, but when I heard Dr. AJ say the results were positive (cancer is in my lymph nodes)...it was a right hook and maybe even a combo with an upper cut. It really was the news that I was convinced I would receive after 3 physicians shared their strong intuitions with me, but it still hurts! Dr. AJ is energized because the news gives him an opportunity to put a plan in place and he quickly coordinated a busy week of chemo preparation for me. I met with the General Surgeon in Maryville today and had all my pre-op "stuff" completed. I will get my port (for chemo) tomorrow, Tuesday, in Maryville. I have an echo cardiogram in St. Joseph on Wednesday. Dr. AJ is awaiting the HER2 results from the lymph node biopsy (Sorry...I cannot tell you in my terms what HER2 is, but do know that it is a critical piece of the puzzle to identify the appropriate chemo drug) and we will hopefully have those results by the end of this week. If everything falls into place this week, I will have my first chemo treatment on Monday, August 17th, in Maryville, under the supervision of Dr. AJ.

My mother posted a comment about Fr. Kapaun and we will be praying to him and asking for his healing powers. We are proud to have a Conception Seminary graduate considered for sainthood.

Also, please say an extra prayer for a special friend of mine. She had a mammogram after hearing my results and she is heading back for an additional ultrasound tomorrow.

Hugs & Kisses! The Fight Is On!