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.