4/2 update on my battle against breast cancer

Hi everyone,

Under the advice of a wise friend and gifted counselor, I’m creating this email blog for family and friends to receive. It was suggested that I email updates, results, struggles, prayer requests and the such. I know you all have expressed a desire to keep updated on what is going on and have all asked how you can be praying for me. I thought this would be a great way for everyone to stay informed and a wonderful way for me to be able to express where I am in the process and any specific prayer requests I may need.

I cannot express the amount of gratitude and blessing I have felt with the support, love, and prayers you all have sent my way. Words cannot properly express my appreciation. I thank God every day for my family and friends and the support He has provided for me during this season in my life. I pray that the Lord bless each and every one of you for your love and kindness.

As for where I am in the process…..well, I’m still waiting to be scheduled for three very important tests. I need to have a “Mugga” test done on my heart in order to make sure the valves, blood flow, etc are working properly and can sustain the stress of the chemotherapy. The other two tests are a bone scan and a total body CAT scan to see if the cancer has spread anywhere else.

Right now we know that I have breast cancer that has already spread (metastasized) to the lymph nodes. The cancer has come back as a level 3 cancer which is, on a scale of 1 to 3, the most aggressive. They are still testing the tissue to find out what stage I’m in. They know I’m at least a stage 3 because it’s already metastasized, but I may be a stage 4 because of the aggressiveness of the cancer. They are also testing the tissue for certain proteins, enzymes, and hormones in order to accurately diagnose the type of breast cancer I have. This will allow them to structure a more precise chemo cocktail to fight the cancer.

The oncologists have told me my therapy will consist of up to 6 months of chemo and up to 3 months of radiation immediately after. Then they will put me on a hormone therapy and do some genetic testing to figure out how I got such an aggressive cancer at a young age with no real cancer history in my family. Other than the fact that it is such an aggressive cancer and a high stage, the reason for the potentially long treatment is due to the fact that I have an auto-immune disease called sarcoidosis. The oncologists are concerned as to how it will effect treatment.

I am praying that they will be able to schedule my three tests immediately so I can get the answers I need. Please pray for me on Friday, April 4th. I am having another surgery at 7:00 am to have the port-catheter put in so the doctors will be able to deliver the chemo to the heart. It is outpatient surgery and I should be home from the hospital by lunch time. The surgery is at Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa (Broadway and Power). My next appointment to see the oncologist is Wednesday, April 9th. Please pray that the oncologist, Dr. Halbur, will have all the results from all of my tests and pathology to answer my many questions.

Please also pray that we can start on the chemo treatment as soon as possible. They won’t be able to start the chemo until I’m further in the healing process from the mastectomy. The staples need to be removed along with the drainage tube from the lymph node area. Please pray for a speedy healing from all three of my surgeries. Please also pray for fatigue. I’m having overwhelming fatigue and trouble sleeping.

And last, but not least, I would like to have everyone pray for Debbie Evans. She is walking the 60 mile, 3 day Breast Cancer walk in my honor. I cannot tell you how much that has touched my heart. More than she will ever know. She is raising money for breast cancer research. If you would like to donate, please check out the following link: http://08.the3day.org/goto/DebEvans. Your support will be such a blessing.

Also, I know that many of you have expressed a desire on helping me in any way you can. If you are interested in helping me with meals, please check out the Food Tidings website at http://www.foodtidings.com/SignUp.aspx?ScheduleGuid=2e4ec021-ffa8-498b-9555-545e4123a820 and create a free login and sign up for a meal. And please don’t hesitate to call me or stop by to see me. It would be such a blessing to see you if possible. I’m currently on short term disability from work, and if I’m not recovering from a surgery or “having a bad day”, I would love to spend the good days with my family and friends.

Thank you again for all your prayers, your support, and especially your love. May God Bless each one of you.

Blessings,Noëlle