Hey guys,
Here is the latest news on Val….. Also I have decided to start putting the date into the subject line of each email to help keep track of these updates. Not sure yet if we are going to utilize a different way to keep you all updated in the future (care pages, etc.) but for now we are sticking with email. We have been adding various folks along the way to the distribution list, if you think of someone we should add, please let me know.
Today we received back the pathology report from Val’s mastectomy last week. Just to remind you, she had a double mastectomy last week Wednesday after find three tumors in her right breast. We made the decision to remove both breasts to help with long term risk. During surgery they also found cancer in one of three sentinel lymph nodes. During surgery they also pulled a bunch more lymph nodes, 13 total, for further testing. So we have been waiting on the testing results from the tissue they removed and the additional nodes and what was found was discouraging…..
Here it is in bullet points:
- Cancer cells showed up in four total lymph nodes pulled
- Pre-cancerous cells were found in the left breast tissue
- Cancer is at Stage 3
So…..long pause…… it is hard to keep hearing more challenging news on this journey.
Val is scheduled for a PET scan on Monday morning at 7:15am. This is a full body scan to help pinpoint if the cancer has spread to any other parts of her body. We have a Dr’s appointment with the plastic surgeon on Monday afternoon to check and see how Val is healing from surgery and hopefully remove her drains. She has been a mosquito magnate with her drains. It is like hitting the mother lode for them.
Then on Thursday we have a meeting with our breast surgeon to hear back results on the PET scan. We are also working on getting an appointment scheduled with the Oncology Dr. to start developing a detail treatment plan.
In reading through the PET scan procedure it doesn’t sound like so much fun…. They get to run radioactive dye through her body and it will be about a 3 hour procedure. The hospital says to bring music of your choice or a movie to watch….. oh goody….. I am thinking of bringing Star Wars, what do you think?
Please keep praying for peace that passes understanding. It is hard to wait on the next appointment, next test results, next part of the plan….. Especially when we do get to the next step and the news has been more challenging each time.
We are leaning hard on our faith and trust that the Lord has a plan and is actively working. We also realize this journey is not just about us. We continue to pray that the Lord be glorified as we walk in faith.
Marc
The Gordon Family Site 