Done with Chemo!!!

Hi Everyone --
I've been meaning to send an update on Rebecca for some time. She finished her final chemo treatment about 2 weeks ago, and is doing very well. They reduced the final dosage by 25% in order to alleviate some of the side effects she was having, such as headaches, tissue and bone pain, and swelling in her legs. In addition, she didn't have to have a Neulasta shot the day after chemo -- because it is intended to speed up white blood cell generation in order to get ready for the next chemo treatment. Not having this shot seemed to really help reduce the bone pain and discomfort.
She was pretty tired until about 3 days ago -- but her energy seems to be returning now - she's up to about 70% and back to work. The only remaining problem she is dealing with is numbness in her feet and swelling in her ankles and calves. She is taking Neurontin for the "neuropathy" or numbness and tingling that comes from taxol chemotherapy. She is also taking Lasix, which is a diuretic for the swelling. Both seem to be get slowly better, but the swelling gets worse the longer she stays on her feet. So we encourage her to slow down and keep her feet elevated -- even when not having to walk around.
Rebecca went in for her MRI on Monday night to check to see how much the tumor has shrunk and to make sure that no other sites have appeared during chemo. We should get the results back today or tomorrow, but we are very confident that the results are going to be very positive.
During Rebecca's final exam prior to the last chemo, the oncologist said that if she didn't know where the tumor had been, she would not have been able to differentiate between the tumor and normal breast tissue. This is a very good sign -- indicating that the chemo has killed much, if not all of the cancer, and it has softened and receded. This effect is what allowed us to decide on a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy. Unless there is some highly unusual findings from the MRI, Rebecca will have surgery on July 14 to remove the area where the tumor was. (Even though the cancer is probably dead at this point, they must remove the tissue and surrounding margins to prevent recurrence. I think the doctors said that the chance of recurrence if they don't remove it is quite high -- like 60% over the next several years.) Because we opted for a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy, Rebecca will have to follow up surgery with 6 weeks of local radiation starting in mid- to late-August. If you have a mastectomy, radiation is usually not required unless the cancer spread into lymph nodes. Rebecca has had no signs of her cancer spreading anywhere.
Some of you may have wondered why we opted for a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy. There are several reasons. First, and most importantly, the survival rates between the two options are the same. The rates of recurrence are very similar, though barely higher for the lumpectomy. However, because Rebecca will be undergoing more frequent and intensive examinations after treatment, any recurrence will be detected much earlier. In the event of recurrence, mastectomy is the next option anyway. Finally, the lumpectomy is a same-day surgery, will a much shorter recovery, and with far fewer side effects (such as possible edema in her arms). In addition, lumpectomy usually does not require any painful, long-term reconstruction. All-in-all, lumpectomy is a very safe, less traumatic, and more conservative approach.
We are looking forward to getting through this phase and returning to a more normal life. Chemo is usually the most difficult aspect of cancer treatment, and in hindsight, we're glad to have opted to have the chemo first ("neo-adjuvant" therapy) before surgery. Rebecca has been so strong and positive during her chemo that we're sure it's only going to get easier from here. She has responded so well, and every test has gone in our favor. We have been told that radiation will also cause additional fatigue and possibly some burning so we'll be slowing down again during that phase of the treatment.
We have been so blessed to have had so much support during this trial. Can you believe that it's been 4 1/2 months since Rebecca was diagnosed and we started this journey? There is no doubt that Rebecca's faith, strengthened by the prayer's, fastings, and compassionate service of so many friends and family members, has gotten us this far.
We have a new challenge now though -- I was laid off from my work last week as part of a cost-cutting initiative. So we will start a new test, but with Rebecca improving rapidly, gaining strength, and with hope towards a full recovery within just a couple more months!
Thank you again, dear friends and family, for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Mark