garnigal: (Default)
garnigal ([personal profile] garnigal) wrote2010-05-12 11:18 pm
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Scared.

I've been sitting on this news for a while, waiting for a few more details, waiting to get back from vacation.

Well, we're back, and I have a few more details.

Last week, Mom called to tell me that Aunt Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer. We knew the biopsy showed it in both her breast tissue and in the lymph node, but we weren't sure how far it had spread. Originally, she was told lumpectemy, then radiation and chemo. Today, she met with the surgeon for more details.

It's stage 3. She got an MRI today, but she needs a bone scan still to make sure it hasn't spread even further than expected. Treatment is either chemo first to shrink the tumour, and then surgery and more radiation/chemo, or surgery and then the radiation/chemo combination. And lumpectemy is off the table; she needs a radical mastectemy.

Deb is 44 - 11 years younger than Mom, and only 10 years older than me. She's really close to both her sisters, Mary in particular, since they are only 16 months apart. She's still pre-menopausal, which is contributing to the aggressiveness of the tumour.

I've often laughed about my "stupid-close" family. But now I don't care what I have to do - I just want her to be okay.

[identity profile] cindergal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
::hugs::

I hope the MRI and bone scan give you all some more positive news.

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks. She still feels healthy now, which is good. Hopefully she'll tolerate the treatment well.

[identity profile] agilebrit.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:22 am (UTC)(link)
Yikes! *hugs and prayers*

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks. I think we need them.

[identity profile] soundingsea.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:23 am (UTC)(link)
I am so sorry to hear about this. I hope treatment goes well, and I know her supportive family will help. *hugs*

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks. I'm headed home this weekend to just hang out, and that's always fun.
rahirah: (Default)

[personal profile] rahirah 2010-05-13 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
:hugs:

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks.

[identity profile] ares132006.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 06:54 am (UTC)(link)
Oh sweetie. That is sad news. I hope that her treatment goes well. I know it is a scary time right now, for her and for you and the rest of the family. Being there for one another is all you can do.

*hugs you tight*

Just so you know, I have a friend who had breast cancer that had gone to her lymph nodes too. She had radical surgery and chemo and radiation. She was in her 40s too. And she survived. I know each case is different but a tale of survival is what you need right now.

*hugs you again*

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks Ares. This is just what I need. :)

[identity profile] texanfan.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 08:33 am (UTC)(link)
Oh wow! Prayers for all of y'all. It's scary but they're so much better at this than they were even a few years ago. I have a ton of breast cancer survivor among my friends and family, including a couple of double masectomies. Her chances are good.

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Breast cancer is one of those things that's swirled around (Mom's boss's wife, a couple of second cousins), but this is the closest it's been. I keep telling myself that there are so many things they can do now. My grandparents are taking it really hard; Debbie is the baby, and in their generation, cancer was almost certainly a death sentance.
desdemonaspace: by <lj user="Teragramm"> (Native prayer)

[personal profile] desdemonaspace 2010-05-13 10:33 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, hon! I will keep you and your beloved auntie in my prayers.

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks eza.

[identity profile] whatawookie.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 11:12 am (UTC)(link)
I think in these cases there isn't so much good news as less-bad news. I will keep her and your family in my thoughts.

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks T. She's kept herself in good health and is still feeling good, so that is definitely in her favour. She's the aunt that's a hairdresser, and I keep having inappropriate thoughts about how much she's going to hate losing her hair.

But I'm a little insane like that.

[identity profile] minor-ramblings.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 11:15 am (UTC)(link)
You and yours are in my prayers. I hope the bone scan brings good news, and what comfort can be found in a better understanding of the situation.

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks. Mom is trying to keep me in the loop, but everything she tells me just opens up more questions and more avenues to investigate.

[identity profile] smwright.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 11:23 am (UTC)(link)
How terrible for her and for the rest of you. *hugs* Many good thoughts speeding her way.

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks. She's strong and incredibly stubborn, so she's got that going for her. :)
jerusha: (dean praying)

[personal profile] jerusha 2010-05-13 12:51 pm (UTC)(link)
*hugs you tight* I really hope that the treatment is 100% successful. I'll be thinking of and praying for your family.

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks J. I think I'm still kind of in shock, and definitely trying to figure out what I can do that will actually help.

[identity profile] rdhdprincess.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Ugh. I'm so sorry to hear this dear. Will be thinking good thoughts for you both.

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 03:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks. She's otherwise healthy, so that's to her advantage. And she's definitely a fighter. :)

[identity profile] scribesds.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt my dear. It's amazing what they can do nowadays, and I hope her treatment goes really well.

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-14 01:52 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and trying to figure out how to help.

[identity profile] katydido.livejournal.com 2010-05-13 11:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I am so sorry, A. :(

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-14 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks so much. We're still in early days, so we're hoping treatment goes well.

[identity profile] married-n-mich.livejournal.com 2010-05-15 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
** Hugs **

Sending positive thoughts your way.

[identity profile] garnigal.livejournal.com 2010-05-17 12:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Thanks Mich. I got home to see her this weekend, and chemo is starting in a week and a half. Which is good, because we want treatment to start as soon as possible, but she's not going to be very happy once she starts feeling the effects from the drugs.

[identity profile] married-n-mich.livejournal.com 2010-05-18 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
Wouldn't good news be nice for a change? I'm telling you!

*** Hugs a lot ***

Good luck to you all.