Saturday 26/6
Dear friends,
I was berated by my Bible Study group on Thursday for not updating my blog. Sorry to those others of you who likewise have looked and found nothing. So here goes!
I started my first injection of Zoladex ( which stops the ovaries producing oestrogen) on Friday a week ago. No side effects so far but these may take a month or two to show up.
Last Tuesday we saw the geneticist Dr Hilda High who was a lovely woman and so knowledgable. We were there for about an hour as she explained the ins &outs of the genetics of breast cancer as far as what is known to date, but the area of genetics is quite obviously a rapidly growing field and more is bring discovered all the time. The high risk breast cancer mutations are on 2 genes called Brca1 & Brca2.Only 2% of people who get breast cancer have one of these mutations. If you do have one of these mutations your chance of getting breast cancer is between 40 - 80%. Given my family history and the fact my breast cancer was bilateral my chance of having the mutation is a little over 10% which means I qualify to have it funded by the government which is a blessing as for a number of reasons we had decided to get it done either way and if I was below10% it would have cost $1750! My mother had offered to pay for it which was very generous but I was overjoyed to tell her she didn't need to.
I had the blood test done on Thursday and they were able to mark it urgent which means I will get the results within a month but hopefully sooner.
If it comes back negative I will then start the radiotherapy. If it comes back positive then I will have to consider whether to have more surgery due to the higher risk of getting another primary breast cancer.
Anyway that's the latest on the medical side. On the social side Mady turns 18 today and we are getting ready for her party with 70 friends (couldn't possibly get the list down from that apparently!)
We are holding our breath and looking forward to 11.30pm!!
I will be more diligent with updating the blog at least once a week even if there is little to report!
Love Jill
Friday 27 June 2014
Monday 16 June 2014
Oncologist visit
16/06
Dear friends,
Today we saw the oncologist, Professor Fran Boyle, a lovely & very knowledgable woman ( as far as breast cancer goes anyway!)
No chemotherapy! The best treatment for me will involve hormonal treatment rather than chemotherapy. It is where I thought we were heading given what I had read but it was great to have that confirmed.
The downside is that the hormone therapy is fairly intense as it involves two different medications one of which suppresses the production of oestrogen by the ovaries which will plunge me straight into menopause instead of gradually drifting into it which means the symptoms may be quite intense - I have warned my family!!
It was a blessing to have seen Fran after the recent International Conference where the results of a large study relevant to a case like mine were presented. It impacted on the choice of hormonal treatment and confirmed the decision that chemotherapy is not indicated.
The other outcome of seeing Fran was her recommendation to see a geneticist to discuss having genetic testing. If I have the genetic testing & it comes back positive this could impact on further treatment. So I need to have this done before radiotherapy commences.
We are thankful to God for making the way forward so clear.
We have continued to see many blessings from God through all this, especially the wonderful support and care of family & friends.
Love Jill & Phil
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. He will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great. (Psalm 115:11,13 ESV)
Dear friends,
Today we saw the oncologist, Professor Fran Boyle, a lovely & very knowledgable woman ( as far as breast cancer goes anyway!)
No chemotherapy! The best treatment for me will involve hormonal treatment rather than chemotherapy. It is where I thought we were heading given what I had read but it was great to have that confirmed.
The downside is that the hormone therapy is fairly intense as it involves two different medications one of which suppresses the production of oestrogen by the ovaries which will plunge me straight into menopause instead of gradually drifting into it which means the symptoms may be quite intense - I have warned my family!!
It was a blessing to have seen Fran after the recent International Conference where the results of a large study relevant to a case like mine were presented. It impacted on the choice of hormonal treatment and confirmed the decision that chemotherapy is not indicated.
The other outcome of seeing Fran was her recommendation to see a geneticist to discuss having genetic testing. If I have the genetic testing & it comes back positive this could impact on further treatment. So I need to have this done before radiotherapy commences.
We are thankful to God for making the way forward so clear.
We have continued to see many blessings from God through all this, especially the wonderful support and care of family & friends.
Love Jill & Phil
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. He will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great. (Psalm 115:11,13 ESV)
Wednesday 11 June 2014
A wonderful blessing
11/06
Dear all,
We saw the surgeon today and received the great news that all of the lymph nodes removed at the last surgery were free of cancer -a wonderful blessing. This will certainly make a difference to the options I am given for further treatment. So the next step is Monday when I see the oncologist and we discuss the various options. The other good news is that the oncologists have just returned from an international conference at which some research papers were presented with findings very relevant to my situation with regard to further treatment so I'm happy with that!
I had to have more fluid drained from both wounds which I have had to have done repeatedly since the initial surgery so am feeling a lot more comfortable today than yesterday. That will eventually settle but in my case it's not settling quickly. I am learning to be content in all circumstances! It is a blessing having enforced rest & so time to read.
Please pray for wise decision making regarding further treatment as it is likely there will be options not just one definite way forward.
Love Jill
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22, 23 ESV)
Dear all,
We saw the surgeon today and received the great news that all of the lymph nodes removed at the last surgery were free of cancer -a wonderful blessing. This will certainly make a difference to the options I am given for further treatment. So the next step is Monday when I see the oncologist and we discuss the various options. The other good news is that the oncologists have just returned from an international conference at which some research papers were presented with findings very relevant to my situation with regard to further treatment so I'm happy with that!
I had to have more fluid drained from both wounds which I have had to have done repeatedly since the initial surgery so am feeling a lot more comfortable today than yesterday. That will eventually settle but in my case it's not settling quickly. I am learning to be content in all circumstances! It is a blessing having enforced rest & so time to read.
Please pray for wise decision making regarding further treatment as it is likely there will be options not just one definite way forward.
Love Jill
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22, 23 ESV)
Friday 6 June 2014
Home (for good hopefully!)
Saturday, 7/06
Hi all,
Had a reasonable night's sleep ( drugs certainly have their place!) and the drain had little in it so I was given the ok to come home. Thought I was going to have to be a bag lady carry the drain around for a week but thankfully the drain could come out, so no bag to drag! A shower without accompanying attachments felt like luxury - interesting how the definition of luxury changes depending on your circumstances.
I have enjoyed having some time to do some reading which normally I have little time for. I've read the Herald each day, am in the middle of a John Grisham novel & I have re-read the booklet 'Sickness' by J.C. Ryle, a 19thC bishop -an oldie but a goodie. It is full of wisdom & wise counsel which I found myself saying "yes!" to with much more fervour than when I was read it while well. It is both an encouragement & a challenge. I can certainly recommend it. Another book which I read yesterday is one that has just been published called 'Hope beyond cure' by a friend of ours, David McDonald, a pastor in Canberra who at 49 was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. We were all at Uni together & his wife Fiona studied medicine with me. In the face of hopelessness that such a diagnosis initially brings he found his beliefs being put to the test forcing him to investigate again the foundations of his faith and whether it stood up to scrutiny. It took him back to examining the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus & the implications of the truth of that. Only in the light of Jesus' resurrection can we have the certainty of hope beyond cure. It is an honest & moving story of Dave's journey to the present as he continues to battle the disease. I recommend getting 2 copies-one to read & one to give away!
Anyway the next thing for me is Wednesday when we get the next pathology results then Monday when we see the oncologist. Will post again after Wednesday.
Love Jill
Hi all,
Had a reasonable night's sleep ( drugs certainly have their place!) and the drain had little in it so I was given the ok to come home. Thought I was going to have to be a bag lady carry the drain around for a week but thankfully the drain could come out, so no bag to drag! A shower without accompanying attachments felt like luxury - interesting how the definition of luxury changes depending on your circumstances.
I have enjoyed having some time to do some reading which normally I have little time for. I've read the Herald each day, am in the middle of a John Grisham novel & I have re-read the booklet 'Sickness' by J.C. Ryle, a 19thC bishop -an oldie but a goodie. It is full of wisdom & wise counsel which I found myself saying "yes!" to with much more fervour than when I was read it while well. It is both an encouragement & a challenge. I can certainly recommend it. Another book which I read yesterday is one that has just been published called 'Hope beyond cure' by a friend of ours, David McDonald, a pastor in Canberra who at 49 was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. We were all at Uni together & his wife Fiona studied medicine with me. In the face of hopelessness that such a diagnosis initially brings he found his beliefs being put to the test forcing him to investigate again the foundations of his faith and whether it stood up to scrutiny. It took him back to examining the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus & the implications of the truth of that. Only in the light of Jesus' resurrection can we have the certainty of hope beyond cure. It is an honest & moving story of Dave's journey to the present as he continues to battle the disease. I recommend getting 2 copies-one to read & one to give away!
Anyway the next thing for me is Wednesday when we get the next pathology results then Monday when we see the oncologist. Will post again after Wednesday.
Love Jill
Wednesday 4 June 2014
Post-op number 3
4/6/14
Hi all,
It was an early start - had to be there at 6am.Today's operation went smoothly and as expected. No post-op haematoma this time! I have a drain in this time anyway. Love the deep sleep of anaesthesia but still snoozed most of the afternoon and feel quite well at present. Will be in at least till Friday.
I am continuing to read through the Psalms which God is using to strengthen & encourage me.
An extract from the Psalms I read this morning:
Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. (Psalm 86:4-7 ESV)
Yet again can I thank you all for your expressions of love and for your prayers.
Love Jill
Hi all,
It was an early start - had to be there at 6am.Today's operation went smoothly and as expected. No post-op haematoma this time! I have a drain in this time anyway. Love the deep sleep of anaesthesia but still snoozed most of the afternoon and feel quite well at present. Will be in at least till Friday.
I am continuing to read through the Psalms which God is using to strengthen & encourage me.
An extract from the Psalms I read this morning:
Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. (Psalm 86:4-7 ESV)
Yet again can I thank you all for your expressions of love and for your prayers.
Love Jill
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