The Diagnosis
We met with the oncologist this afternoon, and we finally know what we’re dealing with. The liver biopsy was the same type of cancer that is in mom’s breast and lymph nodes. Because the biopsy is malignant, this puts mom’s cancer at stage 4.
When you first hear your mom has stage 4 breast cancer and it’s spread to her liver, you panic. You want the doctor to assure you that your mom will be okay, and that her treatment is proven to be extremely effective, and that she will win this fight. And that is exactly what Dr. Juvvadi did. So much so that we came out of this appointment feeling strangely confident and content with what’s going to happen. We know what we’re dealing with, it’s the same type of cancer with the same receptors, and it will respond to the chemotherapy. These drugs are extremely targeted to mom’s cancer, and Dr. Juvvadi has seen a lot of success. Her cancer has a kryptonite, and they know exactly what it is. Mom has requested to call chemotherapy “cancer kryptonite” from here on out. This cancer kryptonite will heal her!
Now what?
Mom’s doctors are moving forward with the originally scheduled mediport surgery in the morning. Yay for no PICC line! The surgery only takes about an hour with an hour or two for recovery, so we will be back home by the afternoon.
Mom’s treatment will consist of 6 cycles of cancer kryptonite. They will be giving her a cocktail of three drugs: Herceptin, Perjeta, and Taxotere. Each cycle of cancer kryptonite lasts 3 weeks. That would mean she would go in for cancer kryptonite on these dates:
October 7th, 28th
November 18th
December 9th, 30th
January 20th
After 3 cycles, they will do a CT scan and look at how the cancer has responded to treatment. Dr. Juvvadi anticipates that the tumors will have shrunk. If the liver is still an issue at this point, they have a couple of options including liver resection (removing the tumor) or cryosurgery (freezing the cancer cells with liquid nitrogen to kill them). There’s a chance the liver tumor may be completely gone by that point if it responds well to treatment, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
Friday morning at 10 AM will be her first round of cancer kryptonite. We’ll meet with Dr. Juvvadi right before she starts. The treatment session will last just over four hours. Prayers that mom does not die of boredom during that time are appreciated. 😉 I don’t know if I’ve ever seen her sit still for four hours… I mean, the lady just had her liver biopsied and spent the weekend in the hospital and immediately cleaned the whole house.
When we meet with Dr. Juvvadi on Friday, we’ll also receive the results of the bone scan. We’re hoping those will come back clean. Then we’ll finally be done with the staging process and be able to move onto focusing on getting her better!
Today I am grateful for a great doctor and amazing medications that will take care of my mama. In your continued prayers for her, please thank God for blessing us with that.
Remember, we’re feeling positive and confident, and so should you! She’s going to be okay.
Love,
Sydnie
Prayers going up for you daily, may God continue to bless you. May he heal you, my thoughts are with you!!!
Hello, I am praying for you guys and have a word of wisdom! From this point forth never refer to the cancer as “her cancer”. She does not own it! The devil is a liar and he cannot give her something she refuses. Pray and cast the cancer off into dry places! A great praying book is Prayers that Rout Demons. With love, Stephanie
It is good to finally know what she’s dealing with. Now it’s time to go to war and beat this ugly, stupid cancer! Suzi will beat this. After many prayers and sleepless nights I feel sure of this. Suzi WILL come out of this VICTORIOUS!! Always in my prayers! Love you TO THE MOON AND BACK AND BEYOND SUZI, Sadie and Sydnie! Love, Mema
It is good to finally know what she’s dealing with. Now it’s time to go to war and beat this ugly, stupid cancer! Suzi will beat this. After many prayers and sleepless nights I feel sure of this. Suzi WILL come out of this VICTORIOUS!! Always in my prayers! Love you TO THE MOON AND BACK AND BEYOND SUZI, Sadie and Sydnie! Love, Mema
Praying for you all!!! She has got this and so does GOD!!
Yes, this does suck!! But it’s a relief to finally know what she’s dealing with.. Now it’s time to go to war and beat this stupid, ugly cancer!! After many prayers and sleepless nights I feel sure of this. Suzi will come out of this VICTORIOUS! We know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and will be with the three of you throughout this journey. We are so blessed and will keep the Faith! LOVE YOU SUZI, Sadie and Sydnie TO THE MOON AND BACK AND BEYOND.. Hug’s and continued prayers. Mema
Kick this stupid cancer to the curb!
You are such a strong woman Susie! Keep your head held high and kick this cancers ASS! My family and I are praying for you daily. Let me know if you need anything.
Love you lots! ?
Now we know and this stupid cancer is going down!! It clearly doesn’t know who it’s dealing with!!! Kick it on outta there cuz I don’t remember it getting an invite! We are the party crashers so let’s turn that cancers party into a poop storm!! Suzi style!! Whoop whoop!!!!! Love you and let me know when you need a break and you can tag me in! I do one heck of a worm so I got this dance off if you need a closer! ??????
Now you know what you’re up against and you have a strong plan of attack!! I’m staying positive with the knowledge that Suzi has a wonderful group of Doctor’s working hard for her. A hugh group of friends that love Suzi more then she can possibly imagine. And the spirit and fight of Suzi who WILL Kick Cancers Ass into the middle of next week and be there waiting for it on Wed. to kick it to the curb!! Lov you Suzi!!
Love and prayers-I feel confident also that you will be just fine, thankful for knowledgeable physicians and treatments for you, sweet friend. With your strength, positive outlook, & support system, your in great hands. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. PM me for anything. Hugs