Dad's update - June 3, 2008

Hi Everyone --

Rebecca had her 7th chemo treatment yesterday (the 3rd in the Taxol series). Her last chemo treatment will be in 2 weeks on June 17th!!!!
She also had her final Neulasta shot today -- it won't be necessary after the final chemo because they do not need to accelerate rebuilding her white blood count, since there are no more chemo treatments after the next one. Her count will just rebuild on its own in 3 weeks or so anyway.
This is great news because the Neulasta is what gives Rebecca joint and bone pain for several days after each treatment.
She has been tired, and has been working a little less, which is good. The Taxol treatments have affected her with muscle and tissue pain (besides the joint pain above), and swelling in her ankles and lower legs. She still has headaches sometimes, which we try to control with alternating doses of Ibuprofen and Tylenol. Most other side effects have been fairly mild (mouth sores very occasionally), and some numbness/tingling in her hands and feet.
This has been a long marathon -- can you believe we've been in treatment now for over 2 1/2 months? Looking back, it actually has gone by pretty quickly -- but we are very glad to be near the finish line for chemo. Rebecca is a survivor!!!
We met with the surgeon and radiation oncologist last Thursday and the prognosis is looking good. They both confirmed that Rebecca is still a good candidate for a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy, and it is a more conservative approach, without much additional risk of recurrence. Long-term survival rates are virtually the same either way. So that is the treatment we are leaning towards.
The tumor continues to shrink and soften, which is good. In fact, the surgeon remarked that it was good they had marked the center of the tumor with a titanium marker, or she would have a difficult time finding it again during surgery! I'm sure that's a slight exaggeration, but clearly this is good news and we're headed in the right direction. It will make surgery and recovery a lot easier.
Lumpectomy is an outpatient surgery, and is tentatively scheduled for July 14th (about a month after the last chemo). Rebecca will have an MRI done the week before to determine her current condition. Recovery will take about a week or two. Radiation would probably start 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
So there you have it! Rebecca's attitude and spirits are great -- she is eating and resting well, and still enjoying life through it all. She has so many friends, and loves seeing our kids and grandkids to keep her going strong.
Thanks for all of your prayers and thoughts, kind deeds and generosity!

Mark

*Side note: Mom's little sister came into town last weekend and they had a wonderful time with one another...pictures to come! It was so good to see you Aunt Patti! Love you