Test Results, "Inconclusive" & Diet Change

May 7, 2015
So here’s an update on Allison from our week.
We we’ve been up to Louisville 4 times this week. Allison had a friend go with her Monday which proved to be a very long day for the MRI and ultrasound—so it was definitely a blessing to have Charlene with her during that time. Another dear friend, Leigh, watched, played with, and took care of all three kiddos, Stephanie has had Mia & Noah over to play and today we had another friend on the street-Melissa, who picked up the kids, fed them lunch and took them to play in a creek at a nearby park. We wouldn’t have been able to handle this so far without help.
The MRI results were supposed to clear some things up and give us a clear path forward. So for some good news—the MRI indicated that the cancer has no lymph node involvement. That is very good news, because it means it has not traveled through the lymph nodes out of the breast. Second bit of good news is that we got the results back from the genetic testing. They tested her on over 20 possible genes (BRCA1 & BRCA2 being the most common) that would indicate genetic predisposition for the cancel to recur or even show up worse in other places. They all came back negative. That is also very good news for us but also for Allison’s 3 sisters and for Mia.
The visit today was not nearly as overwhelming or the gloom and doom as the one two weeks ago. Another friend, Melissa, took all three his swimming for the day at a local creek, and we were able to spend time talking about all our options outside enjoying the beautiful day .
We were a little better prepared with questions and opinions this time, we knew our way around, and also we did not have to mess with residents and fellows—we dealt only with the primary/attending physicians. The MRI didn’t show anything in the other breast, but it did show a 4 cm area around the original incision area that suggest there is more cancer, but they just can’t tell (i.e. inconclusive).
The surgeon said we could go ahead and just do a mastectomy or the 2nd option if we were looking for breast conservation was to do an MRI guided biopsy(ies) in order to determine what is exactly there and if it is cancer, the extent/boundaries of it. We decided to go that route.
If they are able to determine the boundaries, then we would likely just do a lumpectomy followed by radiation.
If they aren’t able to determine the boundaries, then the recommendation is a mastectomy because they just can’t tell where the cancer begins and ends in the breast. We had read and the surgeon reiterated that breast cancer survival rates are identical for lumpectomy and mastectomy. With either option they will likely still do a sentinel node biopsy just to confirm it is not in the nodes.
We also met the oncologist who seemed much more optimistic and open than the last time we met with her. She said based on what we find out, Allison’s stage could be anywhere from Stage 0 to 2 (2 if what they find is bigger than 2 cm). She said her instincts tell her that although what was already taken out of Allison was invasive ductal carcinoma, she thinks that there’s a good chance that what is left is DCIS — Ductal Carcinoma In Situ.
So we will go back up to Louisville on May 14th from 10-3PM for another mammogram and the MRI guided biopsy. When the results come back from that we will get with the surgeon to decide our next step. After the surgery we will meet with the oncologist again in June to find out what kind of follow-up treatments we will do. In the meantime, your prayers are what has helped us the most. Also, Allison has gone totally vegetarian, cut out sugars, cold-press juicing, changed her body pH to alkaline, taken some cancer fighting supplements as well as applying and ingesting essential oils that show evidence to combating cancer. Thank you everybody for the offers to help and the prayers. Please continue to do what you’re doing. Phillisia and Carla have agreed to get the organic produce. Stephanie, Claudia, Laurie, and Kasey have also expressed interest in helping with meals and childcare. We’ve mentioned our friends’ names because it means a lot to us when many of you are offering to help and do what you can. Allison doesn’t know how she could do all this without the help of family away from family.
Jamie & Allison