Morgan was able to go to Florida with her dad & Crystal and Crystal's family during December. She left on the 9th to go to Idaho and they flew out on the 10th to Denver and then Orlando. She had a blast going to DisneyWorld, Universal Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Sea World. I was worried about her being able to get around and not wear herself out...not to worry! They rented a wheelchair so she could be pushed around the parks.
I figured that the wheelchair would give her the opportunity to go to the front of the lines. When we had gone to Six Flags with Riley as a baby, they had let us in a different line which was used for those who needed a wheelchair. We would go to the very front and do a "baby swap." So, I texted Morgan and asked her if she was able to skip the lines and she said...."a girl's gotta do..." :)
Later I found out that on the first day she was wearing her wig and looked like a young healthy girl so people didn't really let them go ahead as much. Morgan said that anyone could rent a wheelchair and so the next day she wore just her hat. Also, she said that she was tired of holding her wig on during the rides. :) People treated her a little differently...which is interesting just on its own. Then the next day she went with nothing on her head - completely bald - and all of a sudden people were getting out of her way, being super kind, and little kids were staring at her. :) She said that all of the Disney Characters were coming up and giving her hugs and high fives. (she ended up giving the little kids funny faces!)
She had an awesome trip and came home to me on the 19th exhausted and sore. Just in time to sleep for a day before getting her last chemo treatment! She and I have been practically hooked at the hip since the end of August. I cried as she drove away to go on her trip. I can't believe how much I missed her during her time away. I am so excited to have her home again and get rested up for her major surgery next month. She is so funny and full of so much crazy information that comes out at the most random moments! Morgan is certainly one of the supreme joys in my life!!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
No More Chemo!!!
Tuesday, December 21st, was Morgan's LAST chemo treatment!!! She did really well without any reactions. When it was over, we were walking out of the treatment room and her nurse met her with a bottle of sparkling apple cider....just like champagne to celebrate. Then as we walked down the hall she was hugged by another nurse and the doctor each giving her congratulatory hugs! It was kinda fun!!
Morgan was hungry so we stopped at In 'n Out and then came home. She seemed to feel pretty well and had a good night. Wednesday she wanted to go to school for the SilverRush Assembly, then to get her last shot of Neulasta after that. By bedtime she was starting to feel achy and tired. Thursday morning Morgan woke up... and said that it was the first day she wished that she hadn't woken up! She was so sore and could barely move. She laid around all day and felt worse than she had probably the whole time! I think she just hadn't had the time to rest up for this last treatment, plus she had kind of pushed it the day before.
Friday was a bad day as well....everything hurt. Everytime I even touched her she screamed, "Ouch!" She laid on the couch and observed while we built gingerbread houses and played games. I felt so bad, I had nothing that I could do for her. We went to a family Christmas party and she did a pretty good job of participating, but was still very sore...it hurt each time someone hugged her or bumped into her.
Saturday morning came early....6 a m! We had to be finished with presents by 9 am to get Kylee and Kevin to the airport. It was a much better day as far as pain and nausea go. We went to the movie as a family and she watched some movies at home. I can tell she is feeling better just by listening to her talk and even joke around. We are so excited to think that her last "bad chemo day" is over!!!
Right now the next appointment on our list is Jan 11th when she will have a PET Scan to see how well the chemo worked on killing the cancer and keeping it from spreading. We will meet the next day with her oncologist to get the results and then two days later on the 14th she will have her surgery up at Huntsman!!
Happy Holidays and best wishes to all of you!!! Thanks for the meals, the prayers, support and love!! We can feel your support and couldn't do it without you!!!
Morgan was hungry so we stopped at In 'n Out and then came home. She seemed to feel pretty well and had a good night. Wednesday she wanted to go to school for the SilverRush Assembly, then to get her last shot of Neulasta after that. By bedtime she was starting to feel achy and tired. Thursday morning Morgan woke up... and said that it was the first day she wished that she hadn't woken up! She was so sore and could barely move. She laid around all day and felt worse than she had probably the whole time! I think she just hadn't had the time to rest up for this last treatment, plus she had kind of pushed it the day before.
Friday was a bad day as well....everything hurt. Everytime I even touched her she screamed, "Ouch!" She laid on the couch and observed while we built gingerbread houses and played games. I felt so bad, I had nothing that I could do for her. We went to a family Christmas party and she did a pretty good job of participating, but was still very sore...it hurt each time someone hugged her or bumped into her.
Saturday morning came early....6 a m! We had to be finished with presents by 9 am to get Kylee and Kevin to the airport. It was a much better day as far as pain and nausea go. We went to the movie as a family and she watched some movies at home. I can tell she is feeling better just by listening to her talk and even joke around. We are so excited to think that her last "bad chemo day" is over!!!
Right now the next appointment on our list is Jan 11th when she will have a PET Scan to see how well the chemo worked on killing the cancer and keeping it from spreading. We will meet the next day with her oncologist to get the results and then two days later on the 14th she will have her surgery up at Huntsman!!
Happy Holidays and best wishes to all of you!!! Thanks for the meals, the prayers, support and love!! We can feel your support and couldn't do it without you!!!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Update
OK so I know I need to be better at keeping Morgan's progress up-to-date...sorry for the delay. This will be a long and detailed entry since so much has been going on....sorry again!
Morgan underwent her 5th round of chemo on November 30th. She did really well with no obvious reaction during the treatment. I never thought it would ever feel "routine" but it is just something we do. We sit and talk or she reads or watches a movie. We have made some good friends at the center and almost look forward to seeing them each time.
The day after, Morgan had her Neulasta shot and then we headed up to Huntsman for a family meeting with her treatment team to make some final decisions on her upcoming surgery, radiation, and reconstruction. It has seemed like we were riding a rollercoaster just to get to this point. The doctors know there are different options, but they haven't been sure about how to apply them to such a young patient. They have told us that Morgan is the ONLY 16 year old patient with triple negative breast cancer who also has been diagnosed with Li Fraumeni Syndrome so there aren't any previous cases to refer to. We are basically breaking new ground with her treatment and we want to do what is best.
One large issue is radiation. In order to kill the current cancer (which is the most life-threatening for Morgan) it is mandatory for her to undergo radiation due to the internal mammary lymph nodes under her breast bone which tested positive on her PET scan. The hope is that the chemo has completely killed the cancer, but there is no way to know that until the 2nd PET scan scheduled for January 12th or 13th. The nodes cannot be removed, so the only way to truly "kill" them is to use radiation. The problem is that radiation is extremely dangerous for her Li-Fraumeni (p53 gene mutation) as radiation causes cancer. Also, the radiation will actually burn her skin and make the reconstruction problematic. Of course, we want to do everything we can to save her life and keep her healthy...so radiation will happen about six to eight weeks after her surgery on January 14th.
Another large issue is which type of surgery Morgan will have in January. Our choices were between a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Again, the one that is best for her current cancer, isn't necessarily what is best for her p53 condition. This is getting confusing about now....trust me, I know! We have all agreed that going through with the double mastectomy is the best option for saving her life....so that is what is planned....final answer! They will insert tissue expanders behind the pec muscle and expand them over a period of 6-8 weeks followed by radiation.
If we had gone with the lumpectomy, she would have six full weeks of radiation M-F = 30 treatments. But since she is having the other surgery, she should only need five weeks M-F = 25 treatments....LESS radiation (which is a good thing). When it is over, she will need to heal for about two to three months...then she will have reconstructive surgery. We decided to try implants prior to going with the Latissimus Dorsi reconstruction. We can always use that as a second option if the implants don't work right. Much of this will depend on how well her skin and tissue heals from the radiation. If she doesn't heal as well, the plan may change.
Morgan's dad was tested for her p53 and his blood test just came back negative. Since mine was also negative, it is looking more and more like her mutation was just a natural fluke...one that can now be passed on. Just so that we can know for sure, her genetic counselor would like both of her siblings to be tested as well. There is a VERY small chance that the mutation came from my eggs, and it would be very neglectful to not find out and get them screened in order to prevent any of this from happening to one of them. If, heaven forbid, it does show up, then the next step would be to test my siblings and go from there. So many things that we have never even heard of are included in our genetic makeup. It would be so fascinating to study it if it weren't a part of my own family.
I know this is a lot of information with too many details for some, but Morgan and I both feel that it is important for others to learn from her experience. I had no idea this was all so complicated and if we can help even just one other person who may go through this or loves someone going through it, then we will feel like something worthwhile came from this crazy nightmare.
Morgan wanted to go to St. George after chemo so we went to visit G'ma Meikle for a few days. Morgan brought along her friend Gabby and we had a great time. Morgan slept a lot and rested up for the next week of school. I feel like so much of the sickness and bad days are spent within the walls of our home, that it is a wonderful break just to get some different scenery even if we just sit around and do nothing.
We went to her 6-month check-up with her pediatrician. She hasn't seen him since all of this started and he was impressed with how well she looks. Like every other doctor we've seen or talked to, he was amazed that she actually has breast cancer at 16. She is his first (and probably last) patient with it. She is definitely one for the record books. A few people have written in to Ellen DeGeneres to get on her show. That was Morgan's first request...so if any of you want to add to the mail....it may help!
Many have asked how she is doing in school. The days she is there, she gets her work done and turned in. Problem is, her attendance isn't so great. The school has been great to work with us and Morgan actually made the 1st quarter honor roll! She has some incompletes to make up from that quarter, but so far she is still on line for graduation with only one make-up packet! That is amazing considering she is in physics and pre-calculus. What a smart girl!
Morgan made it to school a few days this week but left today to go with her dad and family on a Christmas vacation to DisneyWorld. I think she needs the break to get her mind somewhere else, but it is really weird to be apart. We have practically been attached at the hip since August so I am sure it will be a challenge to get through the week....I miss her so much already! Of course I worry because I won't be reminding her to take her meds or watching the cues she gives about how she is feeling, but she will be with family who can take care of her...I am just being a mom. I just hope she doesn't overdo it and pay for it the next day.
Morgan doesn't want anyone to worry about her, especially family and close friends, and she always puts on a good face. I am so proud of how strong and brave she is. I have learned so much from watching her and listening to her. She has a great attitude and I am so blessed to be her mom.
The Fun Run has been postponed until January due to logistical issues....we will let you know when and where as soon as we know!
Her next (and last!) chemo is scheduled for December 21st! Don't forget to wear your pink!!!!
Morgan underwent her 5th round of chemo on November 30th. She did really well with no obvious reaction during the treatment. I never thought it would ever feel "routine" but it is just something we do. We sit and talk or she reads or watches a movie. We have made some good friends at the center and almost look forward to seeing them each time.
The day after, Morgan had her Neulasta shot and then we headed up to Huntsman for a family meeting with her treatment team to make some final decisions on her upcoming surgery, radiation, and reconstruction. It has seemed like we were riding a rollercoaster just to get to this point. The doctors know there are different options, but they haven't been sure about how to apply them to such a young patient. They have told us that Morgan is the ONLY 16 year old patient with triple negative breast cancer who also has been diagnosed with Li Fraumeni Syndrome so there aren't any previous cases to refer to. We are basically breaking new ground with her treatment and we want to do what is best.
One large issue is radiation. In order to kill the current cancer (which is the most life-threatening for Morgan) it is mandatory for her to undergo radiation due to the internal mammary lymph nodes under her breast bone which tested positive on her PET scan. The hope is that the chemo has completely killed the cancer, but there is no way to know that until the 2nd PET scan scheduled for January 12th or 13th. The nodes cannot be removed, so the only way to truly "kill" them is to use radiation. The problem is that radiation is extremely dangerous for her Li-Fraumeni (p53 gene mutation) as radiation causes cancer. Also, the radiation will actually burn her skin and make the reconstruction problematic. Of course, we want to do everything we can to save her life and keep her healthy...so radiation will happen about six to eight weeks after her surgery on January 14th.
Another large issue is which type of surgery Morgan will have in January. Our choices were between a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Again, the one that is best for her current cancer, isn't necessarily what is best for her p53 condition. This is getting confusing about now....trust me, I know! We have all agreed that going through with the double mastectomy is the best option for saving her life....so that is what is planned....final answer! They will insert tissue expanders behind the pec muscle and expand them over a period of 6-8 weeks followed by radiation.
If we had gone with the lumpectomy, she would have six full weeks of radiation M-F = 30 treatments. But since she is having the other surgery, she should only need five weeks M-F = 25 treatments....LESS radiation (which is a good thing). When it is over, she will need to heal for about two to three months...then she will have reconstructive surgery. We decided to try implants prior to going with the Latissimus Dorsi reconstruction. We can always use that as a second option if the implants don't work right. Much of this will depend on how well her skin and tissue heals from the radiation. If she doesn't heal as well, the plan may change.
Morgan's dad was tested for her p53 and his blood test just came back negative. Since mine was also negative, it is looking more and more like her mutation was just a natural fluke...one that can now be passed on. Just so that we can know for sure, her genetic counselor would like both of her siblings to be tested as well. There is a VERY small chance that the mutation came from my eggs, and it would be very neglectful to not find out and get them screened in order to prevent any of this from happening to one of them. If, heaven forbid, it does show up, then the next step would be to test my siblings and go from there. So many things that we have never even heard of are included in our genetic makeup. It would be so fascinating to study it if it weren't a part of my own family.
I know this is a lot of information with too many details for some, but Morgan and I both feel that it is important for others to learn from her experience. I had no idea this was all so complicated and if we can help even just one other person who may go through this or loves someone going through it, then we will feel like something worthwhile came from this crazy nightmare.
Morgan wanted to go to St. George after chemo so we went to visit G'ma Meikle for a few days. Morgan brought along her friend Gabby and we had a great time. Morgan slept a lot and rested up for the next week of school. I feel like so much of the sickness and bad days are spent within the walls of our home, that it is a wonderful break just to get some different scenery even if we just sit around and do nothing.
We went to her 6-month check-up with her pediatrician. She hasn't seen him since all of this started and he was impressed with how well she looks. Like every other doctor we've seen or talked to, he was amazed that she actually has breast cancer at 16. She is his first (and probably last) patient with it. She is definitely one for the record books. A few people have written in to Ellen DeGeneres to get on her show. That was Morgan's first request...so if any of you want to add to the mail....it may help!
Many have asked how she is doing in school. The days she is there, she gets her work done and turned in. Problem is, her attendance isn't so great. The school has been great to work with us and Morgan actually made the 1st quarter honor roll! She has some incompletes to make up from that quarter, but so far she is still on line for graduation with only one make-up packet! That is amazing considering she is in physics and pre-calculus. What a smart girl!
Morgan made it to school a few days this week but left today to go with her dad and family on a Christmas vacation to DisneyWorld. I think she needs the break to get her mind somewhere else, but it is really weird to be apart. We have practically been attached at the hip since August so I am sure it will be a challenge to get through the week....I miss her so much already! Of course I worry because I won't be reminding her to take her meds or watching the cues she gives about how she is feeling, but she will be with family who can take care of her...I am just being a mom. I just hope she doesn't overdo it and pay for it the next day.
Morgan doesn't want anyone to worry about her, especially family and close friends, and she always puts on a good face. I am so proud of how strong and brave she is. I have learned so much from watching her and listening to her. She has a great attitude and I am so blessed to be her mom.
The Fun Run has been postponed until January due to logistical issues....we will let you know when and where as soon as we know!
Her next (and last!) chemo is scheduled for December 21st! Don't forget to wear your pink!!!!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Plastic Surgeon
We saw the Plastic Surgeon at Huntsman last Tuesday. Sorry it has taken me so long to write about it. There are lots of details for those who are interested. Let's just say that it wasn't what we were expecting when we went up there!
We met with Dr. Agarwol's assistant first. She took one look at Morgan and asked her if she was going to have chemo....it was great, she couldn't even tell Morgan was 2/3rds through and wearing a wig!! Once she found out that Morgan was having radiation after her January surgery, she said "well, radiation complicates reconstruction." (What is that supposed to mean?....not a good start to the meeting!!)
The (latest) plan is that Morgan will have a new PET Scan after chemo to see if everything responded the way it was supposed to. Followed by a lumpectomy on January 14th. That will take out the margins around the original tumor and include a sentinal node biopsy. This is when they inject a type of radioactive dye in the breast to see where the fluids drain out first...under the armpit or into the nodes under the breast bone. Usually 95% of the fluid goes out the armpit (which is why it is strange her inner nodes lit up and her armpit nodes did not.) They may take out a node or two in the armpit while she is in there. This will be an in and out procedure and two weeks later she can begin the six weeks of radiation. She shouldn't have too many (if any) side affects of the radiation and her spring months will be as normal for her as possible. Then in May, she will undergo a bi-lateral mastectomy followed by reconstruction a couple months later. We need to make a decision on what kind of reconstruction to do, so that is why we had this meeting.
I thought it would be as simple as tissue expanders followed by implants...but that isn't one of our options. They want to use Morgan's own tissue which would have its own blood supply...as they said "radiation plus implant is ALWAYS problematic."
1st option: Take fat and skin out of Morgan's stomach to fill in her radiated breast. This would include needing to remove a blood vessel and reattach it to a blood vessel in her chest. The Dr. checked and she doesn't have enough "fat" for a tummy tuck so this option is not available.
2nd option: Same as above, except use fat and skin from her upper rear end. This is an 8 hour surgery and would have to be done twice a couple months apart.
3rd option: Use the Latissimus muscle from Morgan's back. It would stay attached to its own blood supply which would make it less complicated. They would just wrap it around the front from the back. (weird, I know....I hadn't heard of this before either!) It is called Latissimus Dorsi Flap if you want to learn more.
As for now, all of us (the doctors, parents, etc.) are going to meet at Huntsman on Wednesday for a final meeting before the surgery...to work out all the details. There is SO much to this entire process!!! When you add up all the doctors, all the visits, all of the tests, every procedure, and all of the insurance and financal issues......it's like a full time job!
Many of you ask how Morgan is doing...she is handling all of this as well as can be expected. She has felt weak and very tired....like it is all catching up with her. I am amazed at her every day, sometimes I forget she is sick at all. Only two more chemo treatments, tomorrow and the tuesday before Christmas. Dr. Beck told us it would be like pregnancy and the last part would seem a lot slower than the beginning!
Don't forget to wear your pink tomorrow!!! Thanks for all of your support...
P.S. I hear the fun run will be on December 11th now....more details are coming!!!
We met with Dr. Agarwol's assistant first. She took one look at Morgan and asked her if she was going to have chemo....it was great, she couldn't even tell Morgan was 2/3rds through and wearing a wig!! Once she found out that Morgan was having radiation after her January surgery, she said "well, radiation complicates reconstruction." (What is that supposed to mean?....not a good start to the meeting!!)
The (latest) plan is that Morgan will have a new PET Scan after chemo to see if everything responded the way it was supposed to. Followed by a lumpectomy on January 14th. That will take out the margins around the original tumor and include a sentinal node biopsy. This is when they inject a type of radioactive dye in the breast to see where the fluids drain out first...under the armpit or into the nodes under the breast bone. Usually 95% of the fluid goes out the armpit (which is why it is strange her inner nodes lit up and her armpit nodes did not.) They may take out a node or two in the armpit while she is in there. This will be an in and out procedure and two weeks later she can begin the six weeks of radiation. She shouldn't have too many (if any) side affects of the radiation and her spring months will be as normal for her as possible. Then in May, she will undergo a bi-lateral mastectomy followed by reconstruction a couple months later. We need to make a decision on what kind of reconstruction to do, so that is why we had this meeting.
I thought it would be as simple as tissue expanders followed by implants...but that isn't one of our options. They want to use Morgan's own tissue which would have its own blood supply...as they said "radiation plus implant is ALWAYS problematic."
1st option: Take fat and skin out of Morgan's stomach to fill in her radiated breast. This would include needing to remove a blood vessel and reattach it to a blood vessel in her chest. The Dr. checked and she doesn't have enough "fat" for a tummy tuck so this option is not available.
2nd option: Same as above, except use fat and skin from her upper rear end. This is an 8 hour surgery and would have to be done twice a couple months apart.
3rd option: Use the Latissimus muscle from Morgan's back. It would stay attached to its own blood supply which would make it less complicated. They would just wrap it around the front from the back. (weird, I know....I hadn't heard of this before either!) It is called Latissimus Dorsi Flap if you want to learn more.
As for now, all of us (the doctors, parents, etc.) are going to meet at Huntsman on Wednesday for a final meeting before the surgery...to work out all the details. There is SO much to this entire process!!! When you add up all the doctors, all the visits, all of the tests, every procedure, and all of the insurance and financal issues......it's like a full time job!
Many of you ask how Morgan is doing...she is handling all of this as well as can be expected. She has felt weak and very tired....like it is all catching up with her. I am amazed at her every day, sometimes I forget she is sick at all. Only two more chemo treatments, tomorrow and the tuesday before Christmas. Dr. Beck told us it would be like pregnancy and the last part would seem a lot slower than the beginning!
Don't forget to wear your pink tomorrow!!! Thanks for all of your support...
P.S. I hear the fun run will be on December 11th now....more details are coming!!!
Jazz vs Kings
We made it on the jumbo tron a couple of times and Morgan got a jersey #9 with Watson on the back....they have a Watson on the team (#11) but his jersey isn't available...
Thanks Eric for lots of fun and some great memories!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Radiation Oncologist
I didn't even know that there was any such person as a Radiation Oncologist, but that is who we went to visit today. We met an amazing lady who is just so nice and easy to talk to. When Morgan feels comfortable and trusts the doctor, that makes all of the procedures that much easier to cope with. She told us that she has a daughter who is 16 and that our surgeon, Dr. Neumayer and breast oncologist, Dr. Beck, do also. I have asked each one of them what they would do if it were their daughter because I have discovered that it would be MUCH easier to be doing this if it were my disease, but making decisions and watching my baby go through it is much more difficult. She agreed and said that we had created a perfect medical team (accidentally) who would be making decisions and working just as if Morgan were their own daughter. She also let us know that Morgan is very popular in their world and it was nice to finally put a face to the name. Medical Specialists are discussing her case and speculating on how to best treat her cancer.....she told us that she often wakes up at 3 in the morning and thinks about Morgan's case and what is the best thing to do.
Dr. Avizonis told us about some different radiation options and informed us about how it all works. She explained that radiation is just like laying in a tanning bed for 15 minutes a day. They direct the radiation beams to hit the spots they want to kill without having the beam go through another area they don't (like her lungs). After 30 sessions (M-F for 6 weeks) Morgan will be finished and have a bit of a sunburn on her chest.
As soon as Morgan is finished with her chemotherapy on December 21st, she will have another PET scan done to see if the chemotherapy killed everything it needed to. We went the chemo route first because it is systemic which means that it flows through her blood into every part of her body and kills anything which is dividing and growing at a fast rate (which is why you lose your hair). Hopefully it did its job and killed any random cancer cells which may have escaped from the original tumor. We already know it made its way into two of her nodes because of the way they lit up on the PET scan. We are REALLY hoping that it did its job and that there are no random cells growing themselves into another tumor somewhere else in her body. That would definitely be a VERY bad thing.....Metastatic Breast Cancer (at this time) has no cure.
The radiation is a more specific type of localized treatment and is particularly important to reach the lymph nodes in the center of Morgan's chest behind her breast bone. It is so difficult to get to them, it is a much better solution just hit them with a ton of radiation and kill them. They won't physically be removed...ever (so no big scars or saws will be needed).
All of this information is going in our brains to be processed along with all of the surgical options we discussed last week. On Tuesday we have another appointment with the Plastic Surgeon to pick up a little more. When we put all of it together, hopefully we can make an informed decision on which surgery to do in January......Lumpectomy or Bi-lateral Mastectomy....hmmmmmm?!?!?!?!? Trust me, there are several pros and cons for each.
Thanks again for the continued love and support. We are being fed very well by women in the ward and members of Boyd's family. Members of mine and Johnny's families are driving down to help out with the medical visits and running the house. Our next door neighbor brought over two tickets to the Jazz Game for me and Morgan to go to next week!!!!
We can feel the overwhelming outpourring of love and service. This is what life should be about, helping out when and where we can, thinking more of others than we do ourselves, and paying life forward. You never know where your own life will lead you, I hope you can miss the road we are on, but life isn't meant to be spent alone trying to do everything by ourselves. It has been a humbling experience for me to realize this. I still have a difficult time asking, but I very much appreciate what is come in return. Thank you truly....
I would love to tell you exactly what the treatment plan is, but there are so many variables to Morgan's case that just don't fit anyone else around. Each aspect of this has been seen before....just not all in the same person....and just not in someone who is 16!!!!
Still trying to figure out some fundraising options, how to get Morgan's story out to those who can bring the right kind of attention to it...any suggestions or help with personal connections would be very much appreciated!!!
Dr. Avizonis told us about some different radiation options and informed us about how it all works. She explained that radiation is just like laying in a tanning bed for 15 minutes a day. They direct the radiation beams to hit the spots they want to kill without having the beam go through another area they don't (like her lungs). After 30 sessions (M-F for 6 weeks) Morgan will be finished and have a bit of a sunburn on her chest.
As soon as Morgan is finished with her chemotherapy on December 21st, she will have another PET scan done to see if the chemotherapy killed everything it needed to. We went the chemo route first because it is systemic which means that it flows through her blood into every part of her body and kills anything which is dividing and growing at a fast rate (which is why you lose your hair). Hopefully it did its job and killed any random cancer cells which may have escaped from the original tumor. We already know it made its way into two of her nodes because of the way they lit up on the PET scan. We are REALLY hoping that it did its job and that there are no random cells growing themselves into another tumor somewhere else in her body. That would definitely be a VERY bad thing.....Metastatic Breast Cancer (at this time) has no cure.
The radiation is a more specific type of localized treatment and is particularly important to reach the lymph nodes in the center of Morgan's chest behind her breast bone. It is so difficult to get to them, it is a much better solution just hit them with a ton of radiation and kill them. They won't physically be removed...ever (so no big scars or saws will be needed).
All of this information is going in our brains to be processed along with all of the surgical options we discussed last week. On Tuesday we have another appointment with the Plastic Surgeon to pick up a little more. When we put all of it together, hopefully we can make an informed decision on which surgery to do in January......Lumpectomy or Bi-lateral Mastectomy....hmmmmmm?!?!?!?!? Trust me, there are several pros and cons for each.
Thanks again for the continued love and support. We are being fed very well by women in the ward and members of Boyd's family. Members of mine and Johnny's families are driving down to help out with the medical visits and running the house. Our next door neighbor brought over two tickets to the Jazz Game for me and Morgan to go to next week!!!!
I would love to tell you exactly what the treatment plan is, but there are so many variables to Morgan's case that just don't fit anyone else around. Each aspect of this has been seen before....just not all in the same person....and just not in someone who is 16!!!!
Still trying to figure out some fundraising options, how to get Morgan's story out to those who can bring the right kind of attention to it...any suggestions or help with personal connections would be very much appreciated!!!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
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