Update From Allison, July 9, 2009

This post is written by Allison.

Concerning the lymph nodes, the first node came back with a 0.4 reading with cancer and all the other 8 were clear. But the 0.4 is dangerous enough so I am scheduled for both chemo and radiation. Radiation will begin after the chemo treatments.

The results found the left breast had pre-cancer cells in the ducts. They only did a biopsy on the left breast in the tissue 2 weeks before surgery in a spot that the MRI caught. So now after the fact, it is a good thing to just have gone bilateral and taken both.

The 2nd mass behind the first aggressive cancer mass that was found on the right breast came back pre-cancer cells, but some of the areas were larger than they thought. Not too much larger but with the size difference and a lymph node with cancer I am now listed as a Stage 2. One of my doctors predicted that the aggressive mass would have been very large 6 months down the road. It was a 2X rapid aggressive growth cancer.

The treatments will be a marathon run and no wind sprint. I will go in and get a port placed in my chest on July 22nd, have a bone scan on July 24th, and start chemo on July 27th. I am glad they are letting me wait just a few more days to start chemo since my nephew is getting married on Saturday July 25th and this will give me the opportunity to be a part of it.

I will start chemotherapy on the 27th with two drugs, adriamycin and cytoxan, which will be very hard on me. I will have the recipe every 3 weeks, repeated 4 times for a total of 12 weeks. I will then switch to taxol and herceptin and have them weekly for 12 weeks. Then, I will be on herceptin 1 time every 3 weeks for one year. These will all be given through the port and at Evergreen Hospital. I will be bald before I receive the second injection. Bald and breastless. Is that part of the new “B's?” Let’s add beautiful to it just for fun. So if you have a 2-hour window at the beginning of the treatments, or a 3-hour window later on down the road, and would be willing to go with me, just let me know. Company is always welcome.

Yesterday was the hardest day since surgery. I may have caught a cold from Madison and then one of my JP drains became clogged. By yesterday morning I was really hurting. I went to the doctor and they were unsuccessful in getting the clog out so they just removed the drain. I understand it is supposed to hurt to have the drain removed, but releasing the pressure and getting it out felt so much better than the pain. I had no idea that the part that was in my body was about 12 inches long. It was very fascinating. A long flat tube about 1/4-3/8" wide with little holes to collect the fluid that would channel it down to the clear tube outside my body to a grenade-type suction bulb.

Wow, what amazing things medicine does. It just got clogged outside my body right at my skin and started to cause problems. They then took some syringes and drained 3 big tubes from by chest. Good thing I am still numb because I didn’t feel it.

So after being so up and cheery and with energy I took a deep slide. I am taking a precautionary antibiotic and dealing with the most pain so far. I could hardly lift my arms up well and really struggled to open the medicine bottle. Tonight I am feeling a little better.

Thank you so very much for the food, cards, visits, phone calls, and taking the kids. (always, always, welcome) We truly have felt the many prayers that have been offered up for us. The Lord has blessed us greatly to have such a wonderful group of friends through community, church, school, sports, relatives and all.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lives, He comforts when in pain; He has been there for me to silence my fears; He lives my kind wise Heavenly friend. I KNOW THIS.

We love each and every one of you. It would be unbearable to go through this trial without you. Stay close and contact us OFTEN.

Love,
Allison and the Davis Family