Update on Robin Burns - 11/30/04

 
Robin and I just finished the first visit to her Oncologist, Dr. McClure, at Deke Slayton Cancer Center, so I thought I would give you an update.

Dr. McClure read the reports, asked a lot of questions, and examined Robin. She explained how breast cancer is graded and what has been found in Robin's situation. She said:

1. The cancer in both breasts seemed to be similar, in her opinion.

2. Both tumors (one in each breast) are about the same size (2.5cm).

3. There appears to be a lymph node affected on the left side.

4. Until more tests are run, we cannot tell if it has spread further.

Dr. McClure sketched out a plan for eliminating the cancer. She recommended Chemotherapy before surgery to determine what drugs affected the cancer while it was visible. (After the surgery, it would be hard to tell if the Chemo was helping or not).

1. Obtain a complete set of CATscans and Bonescans to determine if the cancer has spread, and how far.

2. Get an Echo-Cardio Gram (as a baseline, to watch for heart changes).

3. Perform a full set of blood tests.

4. Robin has an infection that must get better (prescribed antibiotics).

5. Robin is to see her physician about other health conditions.

6. Robin is to have a "Porto-Cath" inserted under her skin near her collar area, to make an easy site for the Chemo injections.

7. Start Chemotherapy Round 1 - (lose all hair temporarily) (four cycles of two drugs, three weeks each cycle - 12 weeks total).

8. Start Chemotherapy Round 2 - (four cycles of one drug, three weeks each cycle - 12 weeks total).

9. Surgery.

10. Possible radiation, depending on how close it was to the chest wall and how much it may have spread.

Steps 1-6 need to be completed before Chemo (step 7) can start.

Dr. McClure wants Chemo to start on December 14th, so she can be available in case there are complications (she is on vacation the week after that).

It was pretty clear that Dr. McClure felt that Mastectomy was the best option to reduce risk of future cancer recurrence. Surgery options are still months away, so no immediate decisions are required.

==================================================

News from The Burns Family - 11/24/04

 
Robin went to the doctors several times in the last week. She had a painful lump in her left breast. At first, the doctors thought it was an abscess (she is prone to getting these). She was prescribed strong antibiotics, but after they were done it was worse instead of better. Then they tried to aspirate (drain the fluid from) the location, but the doctors couldn't get anything out, so the doctor ordered a needle biopsy. When she went in for that, they found a lump in the other breast, so she had to get another biopsy. We just got all the results Thursday (11/18/04).

We were told that Robin has Breast Cancer in both breasts. She has a different type in each breast. By the size (2.5 cm each (about an inch)), it was clear that she has had it for some time. Her left breast has a particularly aggressive form of cancer, and the doctor who ordered the biopsy was adamant about seeing an oncologist as soon as possible (which is Tuesday, November 30th). I told Robin that I would go with her to the doctors whenever she had to go. The oncologist will probably order lots of scans to determine whether and how far it has spread. The doctor said that it may be stage 4 cancer, because she has it in both breasts, and the aggressive type, and the location, on the side near the armpit, where there's lots of lymph nodes.

We were still in shock through the weekend and, because so much is unknown at this point, the fear factor is still very high.

She doesn't feel bad, aside from the pain in her left breast, but there was a lot of crying on Thursday through Saturday.

Robin was afraid that Sunday was going to be especially rough at church, with people asking lots of questions, and "acting weird".

Instead, she found incredible support from our Family in Christ.

I think it was a real help to her.

After 9:15 Mass, Robin was introduced to parishioners who had survived stage 4 breast cancer, particularly, a lady who has had breast cancer twice. This give Robin great hope. She was surrounded by love, which helped improve her whole spirit. At this point, she seems to be past the initial shock and she is starting to deal with this as what it is... a problem we must walk through together. She even saw some good coming from it in that our families are being drawn together and she is learning how much she is appreciated and loved. She had a busy weekend, too. We caught up on some movies (Rented and watched FIVE movies), she played piano for a wedding and three Masses, and we went to the Symphony.

John seems to be handling it pretty well. His first inclination was to back off of some activities so he could spend more time with Robin. Robin told him that we all need to go on living, but we would need to make accommodations from time to time. Then the teenage humor kicked in. John, who shaved his head for his football playoff game, vowed to shave it again if Robin lost her hair from Chemotherapy. He even volunteered that I would shave my head. However, Robin said she didn't think she could stand to look at me without my beard. I'm not sure how to take that! I think it would be an interesting to go to a restaurant, all three of us bald!

I'm doing a lot better, myself, since the weekend. I still get somewhat choked-up when I have to talk about it, but it is getting better.

We have always considered you guys as a part of our extended family, and I know you would do anything you could to help.

Right now, we just need to know you are there and that you are keeping us in your prayers.

It is clear that we have a long, difficult row to hoe, and we will need all the help we can get. Robin and I both believe in the power of prayer, so please pray that God's will be done, and that He is with us throughout this new journey.

Thanks for being there for us,

Larry

p.s.: Make sure any woman you know is getting her annual mammogram!!!

==================================================

Introduction

 
The following narrative is a cumulative collection of e-mail messages that I have written as Robin and I have been dealing with breast cancer. The messages are ordered by time, so that the most recent information is at the end.

I wrote these e-mail messages for several reasons. First, to keep our friends (more accurately, "extended family") up-to-date without having to repeat the story many times. This was especially important during the early phases when it was so difficult to discuss. Secondly, I wrote these to educate folks about the process and realties of "the cancer trip". Finally, and most importantly, I wrote these for me, so that I could absorb what was happening, sort it out in my mind, and for the purgation of any negativity that might affect Robin. I have felt from the start that, although I am pessimist by nature, my most important function is to help Robin maintain a positive and hopeful attitude, while keeping a realistic understanding of what is happening and where we are headed. In general, we are trying to follow the mantra, "One day at a time", and trust that God, in His own time, will make good come from this difficult path.

==================================================