All of a sudden, my problems seem pretty trivial...

[ironhat]

Prayers up for her for sure. Tell her to stay clear of food (especially heating it) in unstable plastics that out-gas and leave behind false estrogens. They aren't the real deal but they end up blocking places where the real ones are supposed to attach. I was never big on this sort of thing until my buddy ended up having prostate cancer. After the prostatectomy his PSA would climb when he ate foods rich in chems. When he switched to 'real' food and heating food in anything non-plastic his numbers sank to zero. He tested it to see if it was a fluke and it worked each time.

[Richard in Smithville]

The power of prayer really works. More prayers coming from The Great White North . Stay stong, keep the faith, and fight the good fight. God listens to all our prayers.

[Uncle Cracker]

Thanks for the plastics warning, Chiz. I'll pass it along. And thanks to the rest of you guys for the hopes and prayers. I'll put an update up after the surgery today. (I didn't sleep a wink... I can only image how she feels.)

[LarryG]

I'm just now seeing this, having been offline all weekend. Add my name to the list of those holding your niece in their thoughts.

There are many excellent cancer resources out there; an especially good one for the newly-diagnosed is Lance Armstrong Foundation, which puts a lot of emphasis on helping cancer patients and their families learn how to cope with a diagnosis and get answers to the endless questions that naturally arise.

Best wishes to your niece, to you, and your entire family. LiveStrong!

[jking]

I'll add your niece to my prayers, for the surgery & following treatment.

[Turaj]

UC, wish your niece (and all of your family for that matter) best of luck. Hopefully the operation will be a complete success. It is very hard but try to be positive. Cancer can be beaten.

[Uncle Cracker]

UPDATE:

Surgery is done. The docs were not exactly thrilled by what they saw. They ended up taking 30% of the left breast, and a lymph cluster in her left armpit. She's awake, but in a lot of pain. The docs tell us that they will have to get some lab work back before they can give a reliable prognosis, but are pretty sure she is in for, at the very least, substantial amounts of both chemo and radiation.

So, I'm just gonna keep making with the prayers and as much optimism as I can muster.

[Ed62]

Sorry to hear the bad news. It will be hard for her to keep her spirits high. Prayers will continue to come her way.

Ed

[footprintsinconc]

i am glad that she is out of surgery. keep us posted. the prayers will continue. i hope the prognosis will bring better news.

[Raffi]

with faith, tenacity, and a lot of effort this too shall pass

Footsteps In The Sand
One night a man had a dream.
He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand:
one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him
he looked back, at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you,
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
Author unknown

If she looks carefully, I'm sure she will see one set of footprints now.

[Uncle Cracker]

ANOTHER UPDATE:

Surgeon's report indicates Stage 2, Type 1 (that means definite intrusion of slow-growing cancer into at least one the adjacent lymph nodes). The slow-grow is good news, but the lymph thing means that chemo is a must in addition to the radiation. She is upbeat about the surgeon's "handiwork" (she snuck a peek during a bandage change), because there is no disfigurement, but she's joking now that she won't get a free boob job out of the deal. She still has considerable pain because of the drain tubes that remain. They should come out next week, and the rest of the lab reports should come in. Then a trip to the Oncologist follows for a treatment plan.

My fingers are crossed for her. She is an "old soul" and deserves a break...

[jking]

Continued prayers for your entire family throughout her process of beating this.

[Uncle Cracker]

ANOTHER NIECE UPDATE:

My niece is undergoing a battery of weekly chemo infusions. She discovered that she is very allergic to some of the ingredients, so Benadryl max doses are needed with the treatments. She has gone through the head-shaving ritual, and has gone back to work for the first time since that was done (she works in the Sheriff's office in a small county). Upon her return, she was met by about 30 cops (including a couple women) who had all shaved their heads to show their support. She was flabbergasted, of course...

A group photo shows a lot of sweaty melons... Very cool.

More news when there is some...

[Alex Franke]

Upon her return, she was met by about 30 cops (including a couple women) who had all shaved their heads to show their support. She was flabbergasted, of course...

Wow. That is a remarkable and very moving act of compassion and solidarity. I think I'd be flabbergasted, too. I'll probably be telling this story at work tomorrow...

Still in our prayers, btw. Our list has unfortunately become a little longer lately...

[Uncle Cracker]

Still in our prayers, btw. Our list has unfortunately become a little longer lately...

Thanks, Alex. Mine too...