Latest Update

Hi all...
Let me first apologize for my lack of posts...I promise to be more diligent about posting updates as we move forward. Now on to the update...

The doctors have diagnosed Mom with low grade infiltrating ductal carcinoma (right breast only). This translates to a low grade form of cancer located within the ducts of the breast and has the ability to spread. This is the most common kind of breast cancer (70%). Now, like me and most of you, your first question will probably be "What stage is the cancer?" but oddly enough, most breast cancers cannot be completely staged until after surgery. There are many variables to "staging" a cancer and doctors won't know exactly what they dealing with until they "get in there." Which brings me to my next bit of news. Mom has chosen Dr. Michael D. Grant (http://www.mdgrant.com/) as her surgical oncologist. Dr. Grant was recommended to me by a friend as one of the Best Surgeons in Dallas and after the first visit with him, I think our minds were made up. After an initial examination with Mom, he asked that my Dad and I join her in the conference room. He came in, introduced himself and explained Mom's condition and all of her options. Of course we had many questions and he answered them without hesitation; all while easing the anxiety with some laughter. He was a perfect fit. So the next week, he had complied a Dream Team of his associates for Mom and had set appointments for her to visit each of them. Mom has since met every doctor, radialogist, surgeon, etc. that will play a part in each stage of her recovery. Mom has opted for a double lumpectomy (removing the cancerous lump on the right and the atypical lump on the left) and the doctors are anticipating the she will only need radiation as treatment...which means she may not need chemo. For those that don't know, radiation is a stream of high energy waves directed very accurately at a specific part of the body. Mom's regimen would consist of one radiation treatment a day, five day a week for six consecutive weeks. This will damage the DNA of the cancer cells and prevent them from dividing and reproducing...as a result, the cancer can't grow. So, with thoughts of new beginnings, Mom's surgery has been scheduled for January 2, 2009. New Year, New PINK Attitude! :) So everyone keep Mom in your thoughts and prayers and I will continue to post updates as they come. Thanks!!

Ending on an extremely personal note, I would like to say that I have never been so proud to be my Mom's daughter. Through this whole process, she has consistently kept her bubbly personality and incredible sense of humor (never missing a chance to throw in joke or smart comment...y'all know what I'm talking about.) :) My Dad and I have had the priviledge to accompany her to most of her doctor visits and she always meets us in the waiting room with a smile on her face and through her schoolgirl giggling tries to tell us "how much fun they had" and how each visit is "just a piece of cake." At one point she sounded so excited about returning to radiation, I would have sworn she was talking about going to Six Flags. Haha...it is just incredible. SHE is just incredible. She is a picture of bravery and continues to be a source of light and laughter to me and her family and friends. I feel incredibly lucky to call her my Mom.

Tracee