February 19th 2008

Aunt Nancy is sending out an email of updates on mom when they are received. This is the one she sent out on the 19th - with some things added.

Mark and Rebecca went and saw Dr. Leigh Neumayer, MD at the Huntsman Cancer Institue today and they are generally encouraged. A mastectomy is still probable. Mark said that after talking with the surgeon and seeing pictures of the procedures that it is a much "better" procedure and much less "barbaric" than with our mom and Rebecca's mom. Reconstruction and recovery has vastly improved. Rebecca's tumo is 3.2 centimeter's (the size of a large strawberry) --which does mean the chemotherapy is necessary. They (mom and dad) was to avoid radiation if at all possible. The good news from this doctor is that she expects Rebecca to live another 20 years if everything goes well. She just has to get through a year of "hell" to get to that place. Rebecca continues to have a great attitude and has put her trust in Heavenly Father.

They told Alyss last night. She is of course ver scared and sad. She immediately mourned for her Aunt Sonya and was immediately 'there'. Dad and Mom made sure she understands that this is not the same type of cancer that took her Aunt Sony. Alyssa is ready to help her mom tackle this. Mark says it seems like the more they find out, the more there is to think about and that they will need patience. Tight now it appears that surgery may be about 2 weeks away. They see another surgeon at IHC today and will get another perspective then.