After a Google+ hangout session (We are SOOOOOO thankful for technology!!!!!!) tonight, we decided that the best way for you to pray with us is if you know all the facts.
So, in no particular order, here is a recap of what Leanne, Ryan, and Leanne's parents learned at the Dr today:
Leanne's breast cancer has returned. She has one spot on a bone in her pelvis and 2 lymph nodes in her chest that are next to her trachea and breast bone that are cancerous. They are not tumors. They are teeny, tiny microscopic groups of cells that are almost undetectable.
The cells are the same kind of cancer as before. These cells are estrogen positive so it has been decided that sometime after Leanne finishes her 90 days of chemo and when her counts are high enough, she will have her ovaries removed.
For the next 90 days she will have chemo for 3 weeks and then have a break for a week. She will have two different types of chemo. One kind she has had before (and was effective) and one new kind. During this time she will also have blood work done to show the marker levels of cancer in Leanne's system. There is no talk of radiation or surgery (other than to remove her ovaries) at this time.
After 90 days, Leanne will have another PET scan.
Leanne has a visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN scheduled on April 2nd. She will be meeting with a leading, world renowned Oncologist specializing in breast cancer. This visit is for peace of mind and with the hopes that a 2nd opinion will either bring to light new treatment options or reaffirm that what is already being done to treat Leanne is the best option.
Leanne will have genetic testing done to see if she, or any one in our family, carries the "breast cancer" gene and if any family history can be determined.
Dr. Bloom is "cautiously optimistic" as he put it in his own words. He did share that there is a constant stream of new research, treatment options, and techniques coming out at any given time so the options in the future are ever growing and changing.
Since her cancer came back a second time, the chances of her being completely cured are remote. The cells are so microscopically small and they move so quickly that it makes tracking them almost impossible. Dr. Bloom said that this will be treated like a chronic disease from here on out. Leanne will have more frequent scans and aggressive treatment in the future.
Enough info for you? I am sure you all have LOTS of questions right now. I will post more information on here when I know it. Know that we want to answer questions, but we are still processing through most of this as well. We appreciate your respect in that it might take us longer than usual to respond to calls, messages, and texts.
More than your questions and suggestions, we are coveting your prayers right now. Here is a list to get you started :)
- Peace for Leanne, Ryan, and everyone else affected by this
- The chemo to be as effective as possible
- Leanne's blood counts to stay up and good health for her so she can continue to have the chemo she needs
- Wisdom for Dr. Bloom and the Dr. Leanne will meet with at the Mayo Clinic as they make treatment decisions for Leanne
- Protection from discouragement for those close to the situation
- Ability to resist the temptation to look ahead at things God hasn't called us to face yet
- Strength for Ryan and Leo as they support Leanne
- Good, restful sleep for Leanne, Ryan, Leo, and their families
God knew that this was going to be the news we heard today. He is not the least bit worried about what will happen in the next few days, weeks, months, and years. He has a plan for Leanne and it is better than anything we could ever imagine. We are going to trust God's promise in this verse:
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
And last but not least, a chemo pic for you
