Treatment continues
While it was the news we expected yesterday, it was still difficult to hear. We met with oncologist and radiation teams yesterday and discussed next steps for treatments. The medical oncologist told us the tumor was essentially triple negative on the hormone test (slight reaction to estrogen, but essentially negligible) and the recommendation was for 6 treatments of chemotheropy. These treatments will start on April 4th and continue every 3rd week for 6 sessions.
The radiation team told us they don't believe Julie will require radiation due to the successfull surgery and the margins and distance from muscles and bones all being good. As a precaution, they are doing a bone scan next Tuesday to ensure that all bone structures are clear.
We will be attending a class on Chemotheropy on Friday and collecting all the drugs to help with side affects over the next week. Julie will be shopping for wigs as hair loss can be immediately after the first session. I have suggested a nice summer bob cut strawberry blonde...
We really appreciate everyones support and continue to remain positive.
Mike
Thursday 29 March 2012
Tuesday 13 March 2012
Lymph node and Tumor diagnosis
Results from Pathology after Mastectomy
In summary - as good of news as we could have hoped!
All 4 sentinel lymph nodes tested negative for metastatic carcinoma - meaning the cancerous cells had not spread to the lymphatic system. So negative for lymphovascular invasion.
Margins (normal cells around the tumor) also tested negative for invasive carcinoma (meaning the tumor was contained in at least 7mm of healthy tissue).
Tumor was 4.5cm large, and was poorly differentiated Grade 3 of 3. All information points to a stage IIA breast cancer.
Next steps: We meet with Oncologist team in 2 weeks to plan next phase of treatment. All indications are no additional surgeries are required and most likely no radiation treatment required. Most likely the physicians will recommend some form of Chemotherapy as Julie is young and healthy and this would ensure long term success.
In the meantime, Julie will start preparing to participate in the Seawheeze half marathon in August (in Vancouver) and raising money for IronDames and Wellspring. This will be a great accomplishment and both myself and Malcolm look forward to participating with her.
We continue to remain positive.
In summary - as good of news as we could have hoped!
All 4 sentinel lymph nodes tested negative for metastatic carcinoma - meaning the cancerous cells had not spread to the lymphatic system. So negative for lymphovascular invasion.
Margins (normal cells around the tumor) also tested negative for invasive carcinoma (meaning the tumor was contained in at least 7mm of healthy tissue).
Tumor was 4.5cm large, and was poorly differentiated Grade 3 of 3. All information points to a stage IIA breast cancer.
Next steps: We meet with Oncologist team in 2 weeks to plan next phase of treatment. All indications are no additional surgeries are required and most likely no radiation treatment required. Most likely the physicians will recommend some form of Chemotherapy as Julie is young and healthy and this would ensure long term success.
In the meantime, Julie will start preparing to participate in the Seawheeze half marathon in August (in Vancouver) and raising money for IronDames and Wellspring. This will be a great accomplishment and both myself and Malcolm look forward to participating with her.
We continue to remain positive.
Friday 9 March 2012
Wellspring Oakville
Julie, the IronDame
2 years ago, we travelled to Penticton, BC to watch, cheer and support, JoAnn Daxner complete her first FULL IronMan triathlon in 13 hours, 29 minutes and 37 seconds. Jo trained with the IronDames who are huge supporters of Wellspring - a Cancer support group. Julie was so moved by Jo's experience and the IronDames culture and cause, that she joined last fall and became an IronDame.
Ironically now she will be using Wellspring during her journey to recovery.
Many of you have asked how you can support Julie - one way would be to support the IronDames. Julie has set up a website and a link is posted right below Julies picture at the top of this blog - simply click on the tab and if you want to support that would be very much appreciated.
We remain positive and thank everyone for the wonderful wishes.
Mike
2 years ago, we travelled to Penticton, BC to watch, cheer and support, JoAnn Daxner complete her first FULL IronMan triathlon in 13 hours, 29 minutes and 37 seconds. Jo trained with the IronDames who are huge supporters of Wellspring - a Cancer support group. Julie was so moved by Jo's experience and the IronDames culture and cause, that she joined last fall and became an IronDame.
Ironically now she will be using Wellspring during her journey to recovery.
Many of you have asked how you can support Julie - one way would be to support the IronDames. Julie has set up a website and a link is posted right below Julies picture at the top of this blog - simply click on the tab and if you want to support that would be very much appreciated.
We remain positive and thank everyone for the wonderful wishes.
Mike
Wednesday 7 March 2012
Drainage Tubes Gone!
March 7
Drainage tubes were removed today, which were incredibly uncomfortable. Julie still can't believe that she had about 12 inches of tube inside her body for the last 7 days.
Next step in journey is meeting with Surgeon and reviewing pathology next Tuesday at 4pm.
We look forward to some better sleeps over the next few days.
Drainage tubes were removed today, which were incredibly uncomfortable. Julie still can't believe that she had about 12 inches of tube inside her body for the last 7 days.
Next step in journey is meeting with Surgeon and reviewing pathology next Tuesday at 4pm.
We look forward to some better sleeps over the next few days.
Thursday 1 March 2012
Successful Surgery
Long but successful day
Today started at 7:30am which included more tests, dyeing and filming of lymph nodes, and lots of waiting in different waiting rooms. At 3pm Julie went to the OR and the surgeon came to speak to me at 5pm while Julie was in recovery. Everything went very well and the doctor did not notice anything unusual. A cluster of 4 lymph nodes were removed and will be examined along with all the breast tissue and tumor.
Besides being hungry all day, Julie was in great spirits both before and after surgery. The entire family had a good visit from 6 till 7:30 and left Julie to stay overnight for observation.
Next steps will be to wait for results of the biopsies and examination of tissues. This should take 10 to 14 days at which time we will meet with the surgeon again and set up a plan with the Oncologist for next phase of treatment.
We continue to fight and stay positive.
Today started at 7:30am which included more tests, dyeing and filming of lymph nodes, and lots of waiting in different waiting rooms. At 3pm Julie went to the OR and the surgeon came to speak to me at 5pm while Julie was in recovery. Everything went very well and the doctor did not notice anything unusual. A cluster of 4 lymph nodes were removed and will be examined along with all the breast tissue and tumor.
Besides being hungry all day, Julie was in great spirits both before and after surgery. The entire family had a good visit from 6 till 7:30 and left Julie to stay overnight for observation.
Next steps will be to wait for results of the biopsies and examination of tissues. This should take 10 to 14 days at which time we will meet with the surgeon again and set up a plan with the Oncologist for next phase of treatment.
We continue to fight and stay positive.
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