Friday, January 28, 2011

Preliminary MRI and mammogram findings

With all the snow, delays, and closures we've had this week, how long ago it seems since Liz first saw her doctor just at the beginning of this week.

One piece of news she got on Monday that I didn't understand enough to post about was about her receptor diagnosis. She explained in an email, "The cancer is 'feeding' off of estrogen and progesterone, but not off of HER 2 (so that is ER+, PR+, HER 2-).  This is apparently the best-case scenario, because it is easier to treat with hormone therapy, which will block those hormones from getting to the cancer.  Unfortunately," she continued, "I suspect that it will mean there is no way I will be able to nurse Griffin after the chemo, because the hormone therapy is often prescribed for years, and is absolutely contraindicated for breastfeeding.  But I of course don't know yet for sure what my treatment will include."

Two days later, on Wednesday, Liz had an MRI and a mammogram. Midday today she reported: "The mammogram and sonogram showed another small lump next to the big one, and a large area of abnormal calcifications.  We of course were hoping it was just the one lump, so that news was terribly disappointing.  We don't yet know if there is any additional info that the MRI can give."

A few hours ago she shared more news after talking with the doctor. The doctor "confirmed that there are two lumps, one big and one smaller, and a large area of calcifications that look malignant (they would have to be biopsied to be sure).  The lumps look like they are in the lymph nodes, even though the biopsy didn't report that...she is going to go back to the pathologist and try to figure that out...if it is the lymph nodes, then the cancer is more aggressive than we thought (it would be stage III).  I have an appointment with the oncologist on Feb 10th, but we're trying to get that moved up to next week."

Today, Liz attended a support group for breast cancer patients with young children. She met one woman who was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer and had to wean her baby the very next day and start chemo the day after that. Although the results Liz got today are troubling, she wrote, "I am so thankful that [immediate weaning with no warning] is not the case here, and will be treasuring the last days of nursing Griffin."

Fighting back tears from reading those poignant words, I called Liz seconds later to make sure I could share all this information. She answered the phone with a chipper hello, and though I know she is scared, she is managing to try to keep a positive game face on around the children. I am humbled by her strength.

Jessica H.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Thanks, and milk update

Liz asked that I post a big thank you from her to everyone for their support and help with resources and funds.  She said it looks like Griffin won't need supplemental milk until March when her treatment will likely begin...but that she is planning to start drinking some as an alternative treatment, so if people have some now to contribute, she would be happy to accept. Email her directly about this. We will post again when Griffin is about to be ready for supplemental milk; people might want to wait until then to start pumping.

Quick updates

Thank you to everyone who has made a financial donation! We think we now have the PayPal account linked up; if you got a message saying your donation was not delivered, just wait a day or two, and we hope it will all go through. We'll post an updated amount once we are sure things are set.

Thank you also to everyone who has offered a service or a support. The outpouring has been amazing! I am doing my best to keep up with all the emails I have gotten, but there are a lot! It's a great problem to have! Thank you for your patience as I compile all the info sent via email and in the comments section here and get it to Liz in a manageable format.

Liz planned to send me some text to post for her, but she's had plenty to do/read/think. So I'll share briefly that I had a short visit with her yesterday after she'd had her initial appointment with the woman who is her doctor (and is a surgeon), one of a three-person team that will include a radiologist and an oncologist. There are also financial counselors available at VHC.

Liz's MRI and mammogram are scheduled for tomorrow, January 26. She has an appointment with a radiologist on February 10. She'd like to wait until then to discuss her diagnosis with the girls.

Right now, Liz is not feeling in need of lots of help with meals. If you get inspired, remember that she is a vegetarian and that healthy and anti-oxidant rich are keys.

Liz has gotten a ton of great information about things TO do, but she is requesting some help finding out what foods, herbs, supplements, oils, etc. are contraindicated for a patient with breast cancer.

Also, is there somewhere she can test her milk down the line if she does a round of a medication and wants to resume nursing but first test to see that the meds are out of her body?

If you have time to look into the above and get any answers, post them here, or email them to Liz directly or to LetsHelpLiz (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks!

-Jessica H.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Welcome

"Welcome" seems inappropriately cheery, but thank you for visiting. This site has been started for people who wish support Liz in her healing journey.