Just got round 3 and it's going well!

On Day 3 post 3 chemo infusion... so thought a blog update would serve as a great update to what is going on since I'm in-house for the next few days.

First of all, last week was full of blessings... kids first week of school, Columbia College back to life and Brian back to school with a good group of students!

Also, my dad came for a visit last weekend and helped the kids get their back to school shopping done (yea! I didn't have to deal with Walmart!!!), attend 1st soccer games, and we had a good visit, the first since my diagnosis. AND... my mom is here now with us to help us through these last two rounds of chemo. Helping with school, soccer, treatments and sickness... she has come to help us keep things regular for the kids and keep up on life in general, as well as either attend appointments with me or stay with the kids while Brian and I go. Such blessings from my wonderful parents (and their supportive spouses that let them come!).

Mom driving us back from Stanford through the bay area traffic

On to the medical stuff... had an appointment on Tuesday with my oncologist who was totally pleased with the progress the chemo is making. This is the first time that he hasn't taken a physical measurement of the mass because he said it's too mushy to measure... which is a great sign of it breaking down! He also verified again that no lymph nodes are swollen, so that is a great sign that the cancer is being contained. I received my 3rd round of chemo, along with a dose of Neulasta, which is a white blood cell count booster (that apparently costs as much as a new Tesla--hope insurance picks that up!!!), because again, my numbers were lower than they wanted them to be. Hopefully this will help build me up back higher so that I can recover stronger from dose #4 of chemo and be ready for surgery. I have a surgery consult on Sept 18, the day before my last chemo dose (of this round), with anticipation of surgery 4 weeks after that--so surgery will likely be sometime mid-October.

As we approach surgery, a few weeks ago I was given the news that I tested positive for the BRCA 2 gene mutation, which is likely the cause of my breast cancer. This changes treatment options for me, as well as increases the likelihood of me getting another related cancer--either breast or ovarian--(like up to 80%). So, I will still consult with my surgeon for specifics, but knowing that I have to get a mastectomy anyway, I will likely do a bilateral mastectomy, as well as remove my ovaries/tubes. Not sure how it's all going to go down, but again, I have the surgery consult on Sept 18 and will hopefully know more then. In terms of the BRCA genetics, there is a family history on my dad's side of the family with my grandmother and her mother (they didn't know about BRCA genes back then), and on my mom's side I have a cousin who had breast cancer (but tested negative for BRCA). So, I still have to meet with the genetics counselor on what that all means, but will communicate more as I know more, especially to my amazing family members.

Now what... get through this next few days of chemo icky. Enjoy my mom being here and trying to stay cool in this terrible heat wave. Pray for Texas and the mass devastation there and know there are so many who need HOPE in this crazy messed up world. Maybe work a bit over the next few weeks when I feel good.

So many of you have been asking how to help and we thank you so much! With my mom here, we have put a halt on the meal train stuff and the big needs, since she is here and is such a big help. In her words, "what else am I going to do at your house if it's not cooking, shopping, cleaning, etc.?" So... you'll notice the dates are pretty far out for the meal train... and that is for after she leaves and we're dealing with the 4th round of chemo and prep for surgery. Surgery will be another whole beast in itself. Then there will be more treatment after that... so this is a loooonnnnnggggg haul of help that will be needed. So, we definitely appreciate your continued prayers and offers!

The scripture that I read this morning...