Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Something just does not make sense about the pattern of my disease to anybody but my sovereign God. My Breast
Cancer first surfaced in swollen cancerous lymph nodes that had
metastasizedinto the lymphatic system and popped up in my tissues in multiple areas. My Breast Surgeon feels that it is quite unusual for Metastatic breast Cancer to "present itself" in this way. But, the pathology report strongly suggests that recurring breast cancer is the proper diagnosis.
The first times that I battled Breast Cancer at age 38 and again at age 40, it was diagnosed as being contained in the ducts rather than an aggressive & recurring type of cancer. This fact has my Oncologist scratching his head. He thinks that in all probability my original cancers were, in fact, tiny but aggressive cancers that were undetectable and undiagnosable fifteen years ago.
Another odity for me is that the point of origin does not seem to be in the breast. I just had a mammogram that showed no change since eight months ago. I have to scratch my head because although my cancer is recurring metastatic breast cancer, I manifest or have manifested many symptoms of lymphoma including swollen lymph nodes, "the Hodgkin's itch," breathlessness, fatigue, weight loss & night sweats & fever.
I appreciate and praise God for my growing team of doctors who are contributing towards my well being. The cancerous lymph nodes in my neck are visibly shrinking with each chemo treatment. God is Sovereign over my Life, LA
THANK YOU GEORGIA CANCER SPECIALISTS: Dr. Szabo, Dr. Vollas-Redd, Dr.Galleshaw
I appreciate all the hands that contributed towards my well being; especially those that first got my symptoms under control. Thanks to Dr. Stephen Szabo who presented the facts of my case in a very palatable manner, forthright but believably reassuring packaged in a calm and kind demeanor. Many thanks go to Dr. Szabo, Connie, Trish, Dana and the rest of the GCS team, from Emory at Johns Creek, for intellectual decision making, jovial environment and careful handling of my port. I came to Dr. Szabo at the advice of my GP because I was extremely symptomatic of what we originally thought was Lymphoma. A biopsy revealed that I had Recurring Metastatic Breast Cancer. I praise God that my cancer was sensitive to the first line of treatment. Dr. Szabo, through the use of Taxol & Carboplatin & Herceptin, caused tumors that were originally measured in centimeters to now be measured in millimeters. The tumors in my neck that had involvement in my jugular vein are now virtually non existent. And, what was once a large pleural effusion in my lungs in now a small pleural effusion. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Dr. Stephen Szabo!!!
Thank you, Dr. Gina Volas-Redd, for your second opinion and for sharing so much of yourself and your time with my case. Dr. Volas-Redd is all about patient care. She was genuinely interested and challenged by the facts surrounding my illness. Energetically, she "worked as unto the Lord" pouring over my information, making a time line of my cancer history to take home to mull over. She noticed a discrepancy in my tests and brought that fact to light. I praise God for using her to bring the facts of my case to the light of day.
As I transition now to Dr. Jan Galleshaw, a Breast Oncologist whose specialty in Breast Cancer, she will implement a cancer management plan to monitor and keep my cancer in check using as few meds as it takes. Since, I am in this for the long haul, I need to save some ammo for down the road. My Breast Cancer is made up of three components: Estrogen receptor, Progesterone receptor & the Her-2 gene. One of these components will be in the driver's seat of my cancer at all times for the rest of my life. The Her-2 Gene is aggressive and will always require Herceptin to keep it suppressed. I'll be monitored to see if either of the harmones, Estrogen or Progesterone, is ever driving my cancer. If so, Dr. Galleshaw will add an anti- hormone treatment to Herceptin. I will be getting three brain MRI's annually since the Her-2 gene portion of my cancer likes to make a bee-line to the brain. If and when that happens, I will get pin point radiation. I do, apparently, have cancer in the Sternum and ribs and, once approved, will get Zamata added to Herceptin. A CT scan on Monday will confirm this diagnosis and I'll be on my way to my second line of treatment that is unique to my needs. Praise God for great Oncologists at Georgia Cancer Specialists. May God continue to bless your practices Dr. Szabo, Dr. Volas-Redd and Dr. Galleshaw.
CANCER HISTORY:
I have Recurring Metastatic, Stage 4, Breast Cancer. I have tested positive for the Her-2 Gene and am Estrogen Positive and Progesterone Positive. I had Breast Cancer that was contained in the ducts resulting in a lumpectomy with radiation at age 38. At age 40, I had Breast Cancer that was inconclusive as to whether it was contained in the ducts resulting in a Simple Mastectomy with no reconstruction and was in remission for 14 years. Apparently, aggressive Cancer cells lay dormant before awakening and growing in my lymphatic system after menopause at age 53. I've had bi-annual mammograms since age 38 but my cancer did not originate in the breast. I do not know the actual point of origin. But, what I do know is that I serve a God who not only knows the point of origin, but He knows every minute detail even down to the number of hairs on my head (which isn't too many right now). God is sovereign over my life and I am not afraid because I trust Him completely. I am proud to be one of His Saints with all of who I am, in life and in death. And, if God calls me to walk this walk, I'll do it to the best of my ability with all the grace that He bestows for as long as He bestows it. LA
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