Mom Update: August 30

Well, yesterday was Mom's appointment with Dr. Shen the oncologist (cancer) and hematologist (blood). After we left Mom said she thought God must be helping her out.

Here's why.

The large hematoma (blood clot) which is in Mom's breast from the biopsy is very hard and large (about the size of an orange). They had discussed with Mom that they would need to remove this clot and would do so at the time they removed any more of her breast that was still affected and check and remove the lympf nodes as needed. Dr. Shen says the clot is too large and hard and this makes surgery impossible at this time. He believes the clot will soften in time and reduce in size. He expects that this will take about 3 months. By that time they will be able to do the surgery safely. He says making a statement of whether or not a total or partial mastectomy will need to be performed is not wise at this time.

He put her on a drug called tomoxafen (probably not spelled right) which is a cancer drug. This will prevent the cancer from spreading from where it is now. He will keep a close check on Mom during this waiting time with blood work and what ever else may be needed.

He empahsized that the cancer was only one problem discovered during the last couple months. That other medical issues were being dealt with and that the discovery that she had a heart problem was HUGE. This problem would probably have been the medical problem that would have ended her life had it not been discovered. Now with the pacemaker that issue has been dealt with.

The other medical problem is her blood problem. Her platelet count was 117 when last checked. This shows that she is doing well on the medication and he will continue at the current dosage (every other day) until he sees how her body reacts to the tomoxafen. If all goes well and her platelet count continues to rise, he will again begin decreasing her dosage.

So, it was a day of good news. Mom came home smiling and feeling that things were getting better. This gives us an expectation that the surgery (which ever one) will be done aboout December 1.

In the meantime, we wait. And as we wait, Mom will continue to get stronger. I really do believe that she will defeat this cancer with the great care that she is being given and she will "die peacefully in her sleep" at some future date, as she has predicted.

On another front. Mom had a great birthday. Thank you for all your cards and calls. She was busy all day chatting with family and friends. She is still a bit nauseaus when trying to eat solid food, so we made a big pot of soup and Phyllis brought over her famous pineapple (not banana) pudding. We had a good time and Mom opened her gifts. So, thank you for making it a great day.

Sorry, Jamelah forgot to take her camera with her so I didn't get a picture to post for you, but will post one later.