The Merits of the Case

Good luck with the MRI. I bet it is nice to see how the dates play out and get some definition to it all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hello from Toronto, Canada... I've been reading your blog for a couple of weeks, and think it is absolutely fantastic that you can write about your experience with breast cancer. You are giving such a gift to other women out there who are facing the same struggle. And, of course, your writing is also so informative for the rest of us, who are trying to be as helpful and supportive to our friends and relatives with breast cancer as we possibly can.

I will be checking back on you regularly, and will be sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers your way.

When they do the radiation, is it general or targeted? I remember reading about (someplace) about how they were getting really good about limiting the exposure of radition by tightly targeting the radiation to the tumor areas. Is that how this works?

I can tell you, expect to see some bad spots on the MRI. As you stated, these things pick up everything and the attending physician has to report any spot he sees.It usually end up giving the surgeon too much information that turns out to be nothing. I'm giving you a heads up so you won't panic. At our last visit with our surgeon, he told us that the MRI rarely changes the course of treatment. I think that the main reason that they do the MRI is to cover their rear ends in case of a lawsuit.

I know it makes you feel better (relatively speaking) to have a plan come together! I will be praying specifically that the chemo and radiation don't drain you to the point of affecting your ability to go to school, and that you recover your energy as quickly as possible after each treatment. I will also pray that nothing else is found in the MRI to indicate any change in the treatment plan. I am glad to see you charging ahead with your plans for both treatment and school. The treatments and excellent doctors aside- that attitude of not giving in and not giving up one thing that you don't absolutely have to is what will ultimately get you past all of this. I know the treatment is going to suck "big juicy eggs" as Jared would say- but you can do this, and be successful- just like you are with everything else you put your mind to! (There! How's that for good "Southern Mom" encouragement?!) :)

I "second" what Cynthia has to say. I'm praying for you!! If you need a driver to any appointments, I'm here. I want to help.
Carol

One tip on the Neulasta shot, you can get this done at any doctor's office by any nurse. If it's difficult of cumbersome to get to your Oncologist's office, like it is for us, then have the order sent to your local physician and have the nurse administer the shot. They'll need a heads up that you will want to do this though. The shot is expensive (around $7000!) and they may not have on on the shelf to give you.

I would imagine that a super-short cut would be fabulous with your great face. I just keep thinking about how lucky I am to know you and how your experience with breast cancer is affecting the lives of so many people (in a positive way). I, for example, made my appointment for my mammogram within a week of hearing your news. Like many other people, it was on the to-do list, along with a million other things.

Your posts are inspiring and I can only hope that if I am ever faced with a similar situation that I handle it the way you appear to be handling it.

So many people love you and love your kids. While it is great that you are doing your best to keep life as normal as possible right now, you really do need to know that people are lined up and ready to help you when you need it.

Bonjour Kim,

Je lis régulièrement ton blog et je trouve que ce que tu fais est formidable ! Tu es une fille GENIALE ! et je suis si contente d'être ton amie. Ne t'inquiète pas pour ta coupe de cheveux, je suis sûre que tu es très bien comme cela et tu sais que si jamais tu perds tes cheveux, ce sera pour la bonne cause et qu'ils repousseront vite. Une de mes amies a eu aussi un cancer du sein et pendant sa chimiothérapie, elle a mis un casque réfrigérant sur sa tête et elle n'a pas perdu ses cheveux ! Alors peut-être peux-tu demander, s'il est possible de faire la même chose ? Je ne sais pas si on fait cela aux Etats Unis ??!! De toute façon avec ou sans cheveux, on t'aime !!! Je ne suis pas sure d'avoir bien compris ton post au sujet des ta-tas ! J'ai regardé dans le dictionnaire, et j'ai vu que c'était une expression d'enfant qui veut dire "au revoir" ! Mais je pense qu'il s'agit des seins, en fait ! If you have a minute, please let me know !!
Bisous.
Joelle.