Cancer

Mom Has Cancer

There. I said it. I suppose it’s official now that the Internet knows. I’ll be using this old blog to post updates. 

To get everyone current, here’s the timeline:

  • Two weeks before Thanksgiving mom went to local clinic for visit, while there showed an area of concern to practitioner. Mammogram scheduled for following week. 
  • Week of Thanksgiving, mammogram done. Suspicious area noted, ultrasound and biopsy scheduled in Tupelo for first week of December. 
  • Biopsy and ultrasound done, radiologist felt very certain that the two masses (one 4.5 cm and the other 1.5 – give or take a few tenths) were cancerous, but didn’t see anything in the lymph nodes per the ultrasound. 
  • December 16, results back, both masses are cancerous. Infiltrating lobular carcinoma and infiltrating ductal carcinoma, both grade 2. Appointment with surgical oncologist (Dr. Phillip Ley) made. 
  • December 21, appointment with Dr. Ley. Decision is to do chemotherapy prior to surgery due to size of tumors. Appointment for PET scan and ECHO made for following week. 
  • December 23, appointment with Dr. Tammy Young (oncologist). Will start chemo January 7. Adriamycin/Cytoxan first, once every two weeks for four treatments. Port placement added to PET/ECHO day. 
  • December 29. At St. Dominic for first case port placement, and PET scan and ECHO afterwards. 
  • December 31 – results from PET show no metastatic disease/cancer spread – Happy New Year!!
  • January 5, all records from all doctors and clinics are finally reconciled and triple checked. The tumors are both HER2 negative. 

So, that brings everyone up to speed. I’m sure I missed a detail or two, but I felt like a real nurse documenting again 😉

Tomorrow, mom and dad (Sue & George) will travel bright and early to my house, then I’ll take mom to the Hederman Cancer Center at Baptist for her first treatment. The journey is beginning and feeling real, but I can testify that Jesus has held us in such perfect peace through this, not allowing anxiety, but reminding us to “cast all our cares upon Him.” When the one who loves us more than anyone else allows such a trial, we have faith that this is His perfect will and He will see us through. 

Prayers coveted. Love to you all,

Devin 

11 Comments

  • Misty Lamberson

    So sorry to read this but I have faith your Mom will get through this! Dr. Young is my oncologist (I still have to go for blood work) and she is great. Will follow you me updated and be praying!

    • devin

      She was recommended by so many, that we really didn’t look at other options. And, then I realized that I taught her son’s Sunday School class last year. And, a nurse practitioner at the clinic went to nursing school with me – one of the most precious women I’ve know. I feel God’s fingerprints all over this…

  • Natalie O'Neal DeLoach

    Oh, Devin! This is a wonderful way to communicate the journey that your Mom and your family are about to embark upon and your documentation was that of a scholarly nurse! I have been wondering where she was in the process! Dr. Tammy Young is the best Oncologist I know and the one my mother used. So many people love “Aunt Sue” and will be able to follow her course of treatment via this site! I love your mother and have so many fond memories of her throughout the years! Daddy visited your Mother and Daddy yesterday and took them a cake from us. Your parents were wonderful to my Mom and Dad during my mother’s illness and death! They have stood right by my Daddy’s side.. all the way and he has said so many times that you find out who your true friends are ‘when you get down and George and Sue have gone above and beyond for us!” I will be praying for Aunt Sue and your family! I love all of you! Natalie

  • Christi Turnage

    Praying for your sweet mama. Let me know if you need anything. I know lots of tricks with those meds:-) She has Awesome doctors!!!

  • Nancy

    I’m just seeing this Devin. I pray that all goes smoothly and that the drugs kill that diseased tissue. I’m so thankful there was no spreading of the cancer.
    Your strong faith is a loud testimony. I love you! Thank you for your update.
    Nancy

  • Angela Busby

    We are praying for Mrs. Sue and all of you. I’m sorry that she has to go through this, but am very thankful that you are getting good reports and have a peace! Much love and hugs!
    Love,
    Beau & Angela (Gracie & Drew) Busby