Pam's Room

Every visit to the oncologist, regardless of the time or day, is in the same room at the cancer center. Odd. Her doctor is juggling a bunch of patients in many rooms, but Pam has always ended up in the same room. It is the room where she has received bad news, good news and all the stuff in between. It is where we sit quietly in anticipation and where we ponder complicated information.

A genetic test was done in the past couple of weeks called oncotype DX. It is a new test (2.5 yrs.) and helps in the decision making process of which treatments have the most benefit. In Pam's situation, the toxicities of chemotherapy are a huge negative. Her doctor implied that for most people in Pam's situation, recurrent breast cancer, node positive, chemo should be a given, but maybe not for Pam. She has a track record with chemo that is neatly documented in her 3 inch thick file. The high dose chemo nearly killed her last time. And even though she went through chemo, her cancer recurred. Thus, there is some thinking, and the oncotype DX agreed, chemo may not provide enough benefit and comes with huge negatives. That is decision #1, one which Pam has a few days to pray about and consider. She is scheduled to have a mediport put into her chest next Wednesday in case she decides to proceed with chemo.

Radiation is back on the table. Pam's surgeon, the radiological oncologist, and now her oncologist feel a 6 week daily application could be more beneficial than chemo. But again, it is Pam's choice to undergo this therapy as well. The greatest risk here is lymphadema, as well as fatigue and some added pain.

The treatment that is not really up for discussion is anti-estrogen therapy. That will provide the greatest benefit as far as reducing the short-term chance of recurrance.

None of the three treatments will be easy, but of the three Pam has bad memories and current struggles (chronic fatigue, chronic pain, physical damage) from chemotherapy. But, in the battle with cancer, every option must be considered. You hate to think in hindsight that you skipped something that might have been the difference. It is a tough decision to pass on any treatment. A lack of experience will help when saying yes to radiation. Pam has never had radiation and would choose it far quicker than the known chemo. Anti-estrogen...she HAS to do it, side effects and all.

So, prayer is requested as decisions have to be made.

(PS - no treatment comes with any guarantee and everything is subject to change from appointment to appointment...that's just cancer as we know it.)

Pam has spent the past month recovering from her surgery. She is trying to recover some strength and mobility in her left arm. She still battles the pain issues and sleep comes irregularly if at all. She managed to get composed enough to participate in Northwoods Christmas program. There were 9 services from Friday the 19th to Wed. the 24th, and Pam didn't miss one. Her role wasn't a stretch and she had the costumes already (thanks Ann Taylor and White Black). This photo is from right before one of the services. The kids (pictured in their program clothes) and I also participated, making it yet again another wonderful December experience for our family. I really didn't think she was going to be able to do it. Pam also managed to make the trip with me to Michigan to Randy's funeral. I never thought she could do it for many reasons, but she did and we are both glad she was able to. I also didn't think we would be doing anything on New Year's Eve. While we didn't make it to church or to the Kastelein's as we had so hoped, Pam was willing to venture a couple miles from home for a little while to ring in the new year at the Farris house.

How are our kids? Doing pretty well. It is amazing what they know that you don't realize. As we drove home from the party Thursday AM, Pam was recounting how many good things happened in 08 for us and mentioned that just the last couple months have been tough. 8 year old Erin spoke up and said something to the effect that Nov. 18th was bad. Josh asked why. Erin said that was the date mom found out her cancer was back. She remembered the date. That's tough.