Lana's Update

Not without your helmets

2008-04-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

We've been reserching 4-wheelers (quads) or motorcycles and what is safest for our boys. Well, motorcycles won for our family (others may have a different opinion).
Callum is on a Honda 50 and Daniel is on a Yamaha 50. Now we need to get helmets, goggles, chest proctectors, gloves and boots before they can ride, sooooo hard to wait.

It looks like we are ready for summer time fun. Mom and Dad have 4-wheelers to keep up with these little 50's. Central Oregon here we come.

Pictures for my mom

2008-03-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

Lana and Callum. (photo by Cameron)
OK mom, here's my current haircut. (photo by six year old Callum)

Granddad doesn't ask for much, but...

2008-01-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

Granddad doesn't ask for much, but when he calls and says. I am in Kansas, 2000 miles away and I want to see a photo of my daughter with hair. OK...will do!!

I thought I would also throw in a photo of the grandsons: growing muscles and teeth.

No worse for wear...

2008-01-03T09:24:00.000-08:00

I snapped this photo on the way out of the radiation ward after Lana's FINAL treatment.

Except for having a greatly reduced breast count (50%) and being short on ovaries, I think she looks great!

I'll sneak a photo in the next few days to show you how her hair do is going.

202 days...

2007-12-31T11:40:00.000-08:00

It's all over (for the most part).

Today was Lana's final radiation treatment. This marks the end of Lana's 202 day trial that included 16 weeks of Chemo, the removal of her breast, the removal of her ovaries and 33 days of radiation.

And today we were told, though the statement was not as strong as we would have hoped for, that Dr. C's (radiology) best guess is that Lana no longer has cancer.

Only time will tell.

So with the exception of some medications that she needs to take, and a body that needs to heal up, Lana is done. Now she can rest. (which is why she is napping right now).

We are very grateful.

Goodbye ovaries, we barely knew you...

2007-12-27T17:19:00.000-08:00

Well, Lana is out of surgery and according to Dr. P, everything went great. She has 3 small incisions just like he promised. He made some really cool (and gross) pictures of Lana's inside. I think that those are pretty neat to have. I have no idea what my innards look like, but now Lana has a whole set of photos of things like her liver and her doohickeys and stuff.

The surgery was about 2 hours late. Lana was about to eat her own arm.

I should be able to see Lana is about a half hour, but I wanted to get the update on the web.

The photo is of Dr. S (anesthesiologist) taking her in to the operating room. Dr. S was cool...West Point grad and former Army Ranger (get your hands off my wife). I assume that he also went to med school, but we never got past the cool Army details.

Only three more trips to the hospital...

2007-12-27T11:40:00.000-08:00

So we are just about to load up in the car and head to the hospital for Lana's surgery (scheduled for 2:30pm) I will post another update when Lana is out of surgery and at home.

The procedure is pretty minor for a surgeon like Dr. P (though for me it would be quite complicated). The surgery is supposed to take 30 minutes. Wit prep and recovery, we should be at the hospital for 4 or 5 hours.

The most difficult part of the whole thing is that Lana has not been able to eat since last night. My job is to be waiting in the recovery room with a big mac. If Dr. P knows what is good for him, he will not make Lana wait....she is not fun when hungry. She keeps looking at me as if I were a steak.

The procedure is a laparoscopic ooferectomy. In other words, they use a small scope and some small tools inserted into 3 small incisions in her belly. They fill her tummy up with gas (CO2) so that they make some room to work in there. Then they locate the ovaries, snip the places where they are connected and then bring them out through the small incisions that they used to put the scope and tools into.

The Dr. promises me that she should be up and ready to go in time to make me my dinner.

My folks are watching the boys so Lana can go home and sleep.

The good news is that we have only three trips to the hospital left. 1 for surgery and 2 for her last radiation treatments.

More info in a few hours.

If you are going to get cancer, do it in January...

2007-12-13T17:32:00.001-08:00

So, today we got word that we can schedule Lana's next surgery for December 27th ....so we did.

This surgery is to have her ovaries removed (an Ooferectomy). As it turns out, Lana's cancer is fed by hormones (estrogen and progesterone) so Dr. K want's us to have the ovaries out so that the hormones that would feed any remaining cancer won't be present in Lana's body. The surgery takes about 30 minutes under a general anesthesia and is done laproscopically without any incisions (use your imagination).

You may be wondering, why push so hard and screw up your holidays with surgery and the answer is...INSURANCE. See, if we don't do the surgery in 2007, we have to start over with our deductibles and out-of-pockets.

We picked the 27th because Dr. P (the OB/GYN/Surgeon) says that he is usually past the egg nog fog by then.

So, here is a word to the wise: if you are going to get cancer, do it in January and enjoy the more relaxed treatment schedule.

Chemo is way more fun than radiation...

2007-12-13T16:31:00.000-08:00

I know it may sound like a silly thing to say, but Lana would much rather do chemo than radiation.

Chemo has many advantages...you get to sit for long periods of time in a very social setting (the chemo lounge), with your clothes on, talking with nurses and other patients, eating anything you want (and can keep down) taking your medicine once every two weeks. Not to mention that there are really hip side effects like losing your hair that let every one know that you are sick and they should be nice to you.

Radiation on the other hand is a real drag. You have to rise every morning early and drive to the hospital, usually alone. You have to put on one of those hospital gowns and then be ushered into a room where no one can go with you because you are about to be zapped by a nuke. If the little machine didn't hum for 30 seconds, you would think that it was all a cruel joke. Then the guy in the control room tells you over the little microphone thingy that you are done and the big lead door opens and....see you tomorrow. And, even though you go home and fall asleep and probably puke anyway, your hair is growing back so people think that you are on the mend.

Yes, chemo is way more fun than radiation.

33.33% done!

2007-11-30T08:08:00.001-08:00

Today is Lana's 11th radiation treatment and that means that she is one third of the way done (11/33=.3333). Daniel was so excited about the development that he decided a holiday movie was in order. I don't know about you, but he makes me laugh.

Lana is RADIANT...

2007-11-19T05:16:00.000-08:00

Last week Lana began her 6-and-a-half week regimen of radiation.

This process all began several weeks ago with Lana meeting a team of radiologists, physicists and dosymatrists. They took her through a CAT scan and gave Lana her first tattoo. Actually she has about 5 tattoos now each of them a little dot that the radiology team uses to align the machinery for exact results.

The purpose of this treatment is to take care of any cancer that the chemo and the surgery didn't get. At this point, it is all about the percentages. There is no way to tell if there is any cancer left in Lana's body. So the doctors rely on their trials: "we have found that women who go through chemo have x% reoccurence rate. chemo and surgery = y%. chemo, surgery, radiation = z%. chemo, surgery, radiation, then lollypop treatment = .... You get the idea.

So Lana does the radiation.

Each morning (5 days a week) Lana rolls out of bed and heads to the hospital for her treatment. She uses a changing room to change into a gown and then waits to be called. Then she goes into a special room (all by herself) and she gets positioned perfectly on a bed. The shallow breathing (exposes less of the lung tissue). Area 1 takes 10 seconds, area 2 takes 15 seconds. Get dressed and she is back on the streets.

One thing that we have been continually thankful for is that we understand that there are only two cities in Oregon where Lana can get this treatment. One is 180 miles away, the other is 15 minutes from our house.

So, the side effects of radiation are basically a sunburn for 2 months and fatigue. Lana has a whole list of products that she can use on her skin to help with the sunburn part. So far she hasn't really experienced the sunburn effect, but she is only 3 treatments in.

This also means that we are here for the holidays. We can't really travel as Lana needs to do this treatment every day. She is scheduled to complete radiation on December 31, 2007.

We don't intend to have cancer in 2008.

Today is Lana's Birthday!!

2007-11-08T05:20:00.001-08:00

More medical mumbo jumbo...

2007-10-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I went with Lana to visit the oncologist, Dr. K. We talke about lots of things:

He was really pleased with the physical results of the surgery. He commented that Dr. B did a nice job and that Lana would have an easy reconstruction when the time came.

We talked about the HRIInu test. Dr. K said that Lana's tests have been inconclusive. Apparently it is not a black and white determination. We were also suprised to learn that Dr. K wants Lana's cancer to HR+. This sort of suprised us because we understood that the HR+ cancers are more aggressive. He said that while the agressive part is true, there is a great drug called Herceptin which is very effective but only works on HR+ cancers. He said that he is going to present Lana's case once again to "tumor board" this Wednesday in order to solicit the opinion of the other Docs.

Lana's next step is to prepare for radiation.

Once the 6 and a half weeks of radiation are over, Dr K will put Lana on Tamoxafin. This drug will put Lana into menopause, then Dr K hits her with an Aromatace Inhibitor which knocks out some of the other hormones in her body. Remember, Lana's cancer is ER/PR positive which means that it feeds on hormones.

Once all of this is done and behind us....probably 6-12 months, Lana will likely have a Hysterectomy (I don't know why they call it that...its not very funny) or an Oophorectomy (which is very funny). For those who don't know, an Oophorectomy is the removal of the ovaries (where eggs or Oocytes are stored).

The reason for this surgery according to Dr K is to prevent the hormones that may cause future cancers.

Lana is working hard on her exercises and has been going to physical therapy. She is getting her strenght back slowly but frequently over does it.

Your emails, kind wishes, flowers, cards, meals, massages, trips to tropical locations and new cars are all appreciated.

Also...Lana has a prosthetic to wear under her clothes so that she doesn't have to navigate life with one boob...and so I don't always have to take her picture from over her right shoulder.

Finally...many of you have asked if the boob ferry is real and what did he bring. The boob ferry is real, but must be a SHE because SHE brought a dishwasher...nice one too!

On the mend...

2007-10-26T00:37:00.000-07:00

I think that the past week has been a positive one for Lana. I can see now that the low point was really that first week after surgery: dealing with the emotions of losing a breast, having drain tubes stuck in your side, pain, unable to get out of bed much. Not fun.

This week, Dr. B removed the drains, Lana has more mobility, she got fit for a prosthesis (bra filler) which helps her to be less self aware when she is around other people.

AND SHES GROWING HAIR!!

These few folicles may not look like much but to Lana, fuzzy is a welcome sensation.

It is a little too early to tell how much is gray and how much is curly.

In the next week or so, we meet again with the oncologist (Dr. K) and we meet with the radiology people.

The next big step for Lana is 6 and a half weeks of radiation.

Emily...

2007-10-17T23:02:00.000-07:00

This is a post that I have been meaning to make for some time. Apparently, back in September, there was a "race for the cure" in Portland and more than 50,000 people participated. One of our neighbors from when we lived in Portland has been very sweet to Lana and pulled together a team to participate in the race. (That's Emily in the center)(I would identify eveyone in the photo, but I only know three of them). If you look closely at the sheets pinned to their shirts, you will see Lana's name with a heart.

Since the race, we have heard that others like Anna, Eleanor, Kate and Phil all participated in honor of Lana. We are deeply touched.

The American Cancer Society says that the chances of a woman getting Breast Cancer in her lifetime is about 1 in 8. So...there is no reason for any of you girls to get it...Lana has you covered!

Pathology....and recovery...

2007-10-17T22:43:00.000-07:00

Lana got the call from the Dr. today with the pathology report from the surgery.

Apparently, of the 13 lymph nodes that the surgeon took out, 4 had cancer in them, but they were not "hard". I guess that means that the cancer that was there was relatively "young" or maybe not very strong. The pathologist found 2 small tumors in the breast tissue.

Dr. K. ordered another HRIINu (I am sure that this is the wrong way to write this) test on the cancerous tissue. If you remember from earlier postings, if this comes back positive, that is bad and means that the cancer is aggressive. If it comes back negative, that means that the cancer is more likely to sit on the couch watching Peoples Court and getting nothing done(the good kind of cancer).

Dr. K said that at this point, there was no indication that any other surgery is required.

I am sure that you can pick up on the things to pray for here.

Tonight Lana took a shower which meant that she had to come face to face with the results of the surgery. It was very hard, at one point I actually thought she would vomit. She said that she was glad to have seen so many photos of post mastectomy women...she was not as shocked as she could have been.

As for me, I have to complain that, as a result of Lana's surgery, we have had to switch sides of the bed. Go ahead, laugh, then you switch sides with your spouse of 12 years. No that I have been kicked to the left side of the bed, I have been having very strange dreams about Al Gore...nuff said.

The flowers and messages are great! I continue to read all of your messages ( cameron@photoplanet.com ) to Lana. She is very encouraged and blown away at some of her long lost friends who have reconnected with her.

Home...

2007-10-16T21:23:00.000-07:00

We got Lana home this afternoon. She was sad to leave the great care at the hospital. She has been resting pretty comfortably today. The pain meds seem to be doing the trick. Lana and I have not had the nerve to look at the work that Dr. B did. I know that it will be emotional.

Thank you all for your email messages that you have sent to me on my phone ( cameron@photoplanet.com ). I read them all to Lana and she has been very blessed by your well wishes and kind words. I am sad that this blog may have to take the place of many personal replies, but in the near term, it may be the most we can muster.

Lana's mom and dad are in town from Kansas and are a big help in taking care of the kidos.

A bright ray of hope...atop Lana's head, many small hairs are struggling to get together and create a community of hairs that will one day be referred to as a "do"!!

recovering...

2007-10-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Lana is in her hospital room recovering from the surgery. Many of you have sent me email messages ( cameron@photoplanet.com ) and I have been reading them to Lana...much encouragement.

The nurses are working hard to get Lana's pain under control. I think that her state of mind will change a lot once she gets the pain under control.

Lana is super strong....I am very proud of her.

Lana has a nice view out her window and across the way, we can see newborn babies and their moms.

she is out of surgery

2007-10-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

Dr. B. came out a bit ago to let us know that she was out of surgery and all went according to plan.

Lana is in recovery for an hour or so, then we can see her.

Joy...

2007-10-15T09:10:00.000-07:00

Last night, Lana and I were talking and trying to get some perspective on today's events. One of the things that came to mind was something that our friend George used to say to us... "Joy is a continual and defiant nevertheless."

As we talked last night, I told Land that, though this surgery is hard and will have the effect of changing her life, (nevertheless) it cannot steal her joy.

As I am sitting here, waiting for news that her surgery is over, I am thinking of Phillipians:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Lana is in surgery...

2007-10-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

I think that one of the nice things about this blog is that it give me something to do while they are "doing things" to my wife.

Lana went into surgery 20 minutes ago and so we are sitting in the lobby waiting.

Surgery should last 90 minutes, then an hour of recovery and then we can see her.

Lana is sad. She cried a lot last night and was very nervous this morning.

She will be in the hospital (St. Charles Hospital in Bend, Oregon) until tomorrow morning. If you want to send her a message over the next couple of days, you might send it to me... cameron@photoplanet.com . I will be able to get the messages on my cell phone and can relay them to Lana.

I'll give updates when I can.

Surgery draws near...

2007-10-09T21:59:00.000-07:00

Today we met with the Surgeon: Dr. B.

He went through all of the things that Lana should expect before, during and after her surgery. The surgery is scheduled for 8am, Monday morning. Dr. B indicated that she will likely stay overnight and be home on Tuesday. He made it sound like the recovery was pretty easy. A little vicadin, rest, and the worst part was that she has to wear some drains to remove fluids for about 2 weeks.

I think that Lana is most concerned right now about the anesthesia part. I expect that sometime between now and Monday afternoon, she will have a strong emotional experience related to the loss of her breast. When it comes...it comes.

In other news, Callum lost his first tooth today. I told him that his body has begun to give out. Right now his teeth are falling out, soon, some doctor will tell him that he has body parts that need to be removed. I did suggest to Lana that she might put her breast under her pillow to see what the boob fairy brings her.

Chemo is over !!!!

2007-10-04T09:47:00.000-07:00

For me, chemo has absolutely flown by. I suspect that Lana's experience has been quite different.

Last Thursday was Lana's last treatment. We are both very relieved. The info from the doctors is that the chemo seems to have been very effective and they expect that the surgery on October 15 will remove any remaining cancer.

I am very proud of Lana. She has been tough, strong and positive through this whole thing!

The photo is the whole team at the chemo spa. We are grateful for their careful attention to Lana.

Light at the end of the chemo tunnel

2007-09-25T06:58:00.000-07:00

I haven't made a post in a while, mostly because there haven't been any substantial developments. So I thought I would give a general update.

While the last few rounds of chemo have been easier than the first 4, the whole process has really taken its toll on Lana. There are many days when she takes 4 hour naps in the middle of the day. I commented last night that Lana could begin to name her eyelashes as she is down to just a couple.

Lana says that the waiting for the surgery is harder than the fear of it. Surgery is still scheduled for October 15th.

The tingling in Lana's toes does not seem to be getting much worse, but it is still uncomfortable. We got a bed warmer and that seems to keep her feet warm enough to allow her to get a good night's sleep.

Lana's spirits are great. I am very proud of her.

This is a photo of the whole family when we went on a trip to the big city for my 20 year reunion a couple of weeks ago.

Fingers and toes...

2007-09-17T22:40:00.000-07:00

Many have asked what you can do and if there is something specific that you can pray about:

As Lana gets ready to take her last dose of chemo next week, some of the side effects have become more pronounced. One of the scariest side effects is one called Peripheral Neuropathy. This is not only common in cancer patients going through chemo, I am learning that it is just about guaranteed.

Basically, Peripheral Neuropathy means that Lana's fingers and toes (feet) tingle. In addition, as the chemo goes on, she has begun to lose some of the feeling in her feet. I have learned that, in most cases, the Neuropathy symptoms get worst 3-5 months after the final chemo treatment and the subside over time.

The scary part is that, sometimes, the symptoms do not go away and people live their lives with these symptoms and loss of feeling.

SO...I would appreciate your prayers for Lana's fingers and toes.

Date with the surgeon...

2007-09-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

Lana and I had an appointment today with the surgeon. Apparently he holds Pre-Pre-Surgery meeting with his victims.

There was some good news. When Dr. B examined Lana he was pleased to find that the tumor is 90% (his words) smaller than when Lana first presented. He said that this was particularly good because when Lana presented Dr. B was concerned that if the tumor didn't respond well to chemo, it would be a tricky surgery. He said that with the change in size that the surgery would be a "piece of cake" he'd "do it blindfolded" (though he promised not to).

However, because of the seriousness of Lana's cancer when she presented, Dr. B was careful to inform us that she is not a candidate for a lumpectomy...bummer.

The surgery is still set for October 15th.

Here is a recent photo of Me-n-Lana. Taken a couple of weeks ago.

A general update...

2007-09-05T18:14:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks we have learned a few things and I realized that I have not shared them on the blog.

The first big news is that the BRCA test came back negative. This means that Lana does not have a gene that would indicate a high risk for future breast cancers. In addition, this means that Lana does not need to consider a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy.

Lana's last chemo treatment is scheduled for September 26th. Dr K says that Lana's hair will begin to come back 3-4 weeks after her last treatment. Peach fuzz by halloween!?

Lana's surgery has been set for October 15th. The surgery will NOT include reconstruction. We have learned that reconstruction is more successful if we wait and that it is not an option if the patient needs to follow surgery with radiation (which Lana does).

The surgery recovery is expected to by 2-3 weeks.

3-4 weeks following surgery, Lana will start radiation. Radiation is 33 treatments over 6½ weeks. The treatments are done at the hospital and only take a few minutes, however, I am sure that Lana will be sick of making the daily commute to the hospital to take these treatments. Radiation side effects include fatigue and something like a bad sunburn for the duration of radiation.

So...this schedule indicates that Lana will complete, Chemo, Surgery and Radiation by the end of the year.

Reconstruction will come 6 months or so later.

As always, Lana loves your emails and notes. Thanks for all of your support.

Friends do the coolest things...

2007-08-31T10:55:00.000-07:00

Lana and I have been blown away at how much support we have gotten from friends and family during this time. There are so many examples of how people help and add to our lives.

The other day, when we were in Portland, Lana and I stopped for pancakes at our favorite Portland breakfast joint. The waitress brought is this huge bowl of fresh fruit and whipped cream and said, "this is on me because we are sisters" and pointed to the pink ribbon pin on her lapel. What a nice thing to do.

Then there is our friend Robin (who we probably haven't seen in 6 or 7 years). She recently sent us an email saying that after watching Lana go through her cancer treatments, She, her sister-in-law and a couple of her friends are all going to donate their hair to Locks of Love (http://www.locksoflove.org/). Locks of love takes donated ponytails of 10 inches or longer and makes wigs for cancer patients.

Thanks Robin, you and your friends/family really bless us!

This is what "chunky" looks like on Lana...

2007-08-29T12:26:00.000-07:00

We met with Dr. K today and Lana took her 6th Chemo treatment. She looks great, but the result of taking all of these steroids is that she has actually put weight on. I think that it is great...she finally has a butt.

Dr. K says that he can no longer feel the medial mass that she once had. The other mass (the big one) is still there, but he says that is feels much softer than it did (a good thing).

Looks like we are still on schedule for surgery on October 15th.

Bring the rain...

2007-08-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

I can count a million times
People asking me how
I Can praise You with all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you oh Lord

My only shelter from the storms
But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray: Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus Bring the Rain

I am Yours regardless
ofThe dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray...
Mercy Me, Bring the Rain

I think this song has become my theme song, if not that it has really caught my attention. When I hear this song, I just picture myself in my front yard, on a night with the moon bright, soaking wet in a down pour of rain, face lifted to the sky, arms reached out to my sides and feeling cleansed by the Lord through the rain pounding down on me.

I wouldn’t say the Lord gave me cancer, that’s not in his character, but I do know He will never leave me or forsake me through journey or any other. My prayer is that when all is said and done, cancer free, I can say I achieved what this song says. I know the Lord is GOOD, and in the Psalms, it says “He delights in me” and He wants to bless me, even with breast cancer, the He wants to bless me. The thing is I don’t want to miss that blessing He has for me. For me, that’s what this song is all about, receiving His blessings and glorifying the Lord in the mist of my breast cancer.

When I am done with cancer, I want to say I have been truly changed for the better.

I feel like going through breast cancer, chemo, surgery, radiation, reconstruction and all that goes with it, this time has given me the opportunity to be more intimate with the Lord. He has become so much more real to me, He has always wanted a deep intimate relationship with me and through this circumstance, in my weakness, and I have let Him into my heart and life all the more. It is has been so fruitful to me and I have been so richly blessed.

Thanks for listening

Its been a while....

2007-08-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long delay in writing. Much has happened,

Last Wednesday, Lana had her 5th chemo treatment. This time, she received a different drug: Taxol. There was a rumor going around that this drug is easier to tolerate than the previous drug regimen. We were hopeful that this rumor was true. I think that if you asked Lana, she would say that it was a lot easier. The primary negative side effect has been "bone pain". This seems to be alleviated with steroids and ibuprofen...and sleep.

Lana's surgery has been rescheduled to October 15th (so we can attend Andy and Sharon's wedding).

Our insurance company has responded positively to our request to have a BRCA test done on Lana. This is the test that will tell us if Lana is predisposed to future cancers. It is an expensive test, but it looks like our portion will be less than $1,000. Chances are that it will be negative, but we would rather have this information now than another breast cancer episode down the road.

The four of us attended the "Soaring Spirits Survivorship Camp" this past weekend at Suttle Lake. This event will have to substitute for actual "camping" this summer. The boys seemed to be satisfied. We had a chance to do some canoeing and I took the boys fishing with much success.

One of the things that really struck Lana over the weekend is that there are a lot of people who go through cancer and do so while not in relationship with Jesus. We both wonder how a person does that. Lana takes so much strength from her faith.

I have planned a big outing for Lana this weekend (relaxation and spa treatment). I will update you and send some photos.

til then, please know that Lana is doing well, and that she really appreciates your cards, thoughts, prayers and calls.

We met with the Surgeon...

2007-08-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Lana and I met with Dr. B in order to discuss the plans after chemo.

Dr. B explained that a mastectomy is going to be needed because of the extent of the cancer when first diagnosed. This is not really new news for us.

We did learn that there is a possibility of completing the mastectomy and the reconstruction in the same surgery. This has many great benefits...1 - Lana won't wake up from surgery without a breast, 2 - one recovery, not two, 3 - more of her skin can be preserved.

We have tentatively scheduled this surgery for October 8. There are saying that this usually requires a 2 day hospital visit. Though Lana would like to stay for a month.

I think that the worst part of the whole surgery is that Lana will have these drain tubes installed during the surgery that drain the liquids out of her body. Apparently when you remove a breast and lymph nodes, the body continues to produce fluids and these fluids cannot be allowed to build up in the body. The Dr. said that these drains will need to stay in place for about 2 weeks.

Following surgery and Lana's recovery, there will be a whole rash of radiation treatment. We are told that, although radiation only takes about 10 minutes, Lana has to do it every day for 5 to 6 weeks.

Dr. B's office set up appointments for us with his recommended plastic surgeon and the radiologist over the next few weeks.

Lana's last chemo treatment was 8 days ago. Lana is beginning to feel a little better as the effects of the chemo wear off. She is half way. We are told that the last 4 chemo treatments are much easier that the first 4 so we are encouraged by that.

Hair enough for two...

2007-08-02T20:02:00.000-07:00

My sister is not really a normal sister...she is what you would call an Alpaca Sister. But, she has always said that she would be happy to give all of her (considerable) hair to Lana if she could.

Well, this is what it would look like.

If you are not a Hollywood type and the special effects are baffling to you, here is how we created this illusion: Holly stood behind Lana, then, my nephew Ben took the picture.

Getting over the hump

2007-08-01T23:48:00.000-07:00

Today was Lana's fourth trip to the Chemo Lounge. This means that #1 she is half way and #2 the chemo should be easier beginning with her next treatment.

Today we learned a few little things from the Doctor. Lana's tumors are probably not both SEPARATE, PRIMARY tumors. Dr K's reasoning is that it would be pretty coincidental to have 2 separate tumors beginning and growing at just the same time. In other words, there is probably only one tumor (a primary tumor) and the other tumor tissue is probably all connected somehow.

Lana's weight is holding steady.

We learned that the radiation treatment that Lana will likely undergo following surgery is done as a safety. Dr. K. says that studies show that radiation following surgery and chemo for Lana's type of cancer does reduce the risk of reoccurence. Her radiation will be every day for 5-6 weeks. Luckily it only takes 10 minutes to receive her dose.

Dr. K. and his staff are doing what they can to push Lana's BRCA test forward. This is the genetic test that determines if Lana carries a gene that makes her more likely to have future brest cancers.

Lana attended a support group today...if she gets a chance, I am sure that she will describe it for you all.

Saying goodbye to Lana's Family...

2007-07-26T10:00:00.000-07:00

Since Lana began her treatment, we have had constant help from her family. Her Mother was here for two weeks, then her brother came and then her mom and dad came back. That is a lot of traveling between Kansas and Central Oregon.

I can't imagine how we would have coped without their help. (I guess we will find out because today they leave)

As for Lana, she has not felt sick very much since her last treatment (this is day 9). But she has been very tired, so she naps, then she can't sleep at night and everything get screwed up.

We are having our struggles with insurance companies. Lana had hoped to get a BRCA test which is a genetic test that will indicate if she carries the gene that makes her predisposed to breast cancer. If this test were positive (a low %) she might consider Prophylactic surgery to remove both breasts becuase she will be have an 80% chance to have breast cancer again.

This is a very expensive test...$4,000. Unfortunatley the lab that does the test is "out of network." In addition, I am told that this is the only lab in the world that does this test.

So, we are struggling the the insurance provider.

Drop Lana a note or a comment on this blog, your encouragements are a great boost to her.

News from the Chemo Lounge...

2007-07-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, Lana had her third chemotherapy treatment and met with Dr. K.

We learned a few things:

Dr. K said that the tumor is holding its size, but feels "softer" which he says is a good sign.

In three weeks we will meet with Dr. B (surgeon) and begin talking about the surgery and what will likely happen at that time. Dr. K. said that surgery generally follows 3-4 weeks after the last chemo treatment. This means that surgery will likely occur in late October. It also means that Lana will be feeling better about the time that we leave for our Family Christmas trip to Orlando this year.

We learned that Lana's "chemo cocktail" will change for the last 4 treatments. Dr. K. said that most people have an easier time with the last 4 treatments than they do with the first 4.

Lana's hair should begin to return 4-6 weeks after her last Chemo treatment.

Lana is home today, resting, probably feeling sick by now.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Lana's folks arrive this afternoon, Cory leaves tomorrow afternoon.

Its all about hair in our household...

2007-07-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

Since we have Uncle Cory (a.k.a. Uncle Barber) in the house for a week, and because short (very short) hair is the "in" thing at our house this summer, the boys had to get treated to a "Kansas Buzz Cut."

A good, normal day

2007-07-16T22:07:00.000-07:00

Today was a day a little like before breast cancer, except that my brother is here from Kansas. And the only reason he's here is ... because I have breast cancer. Anyway, I just wanted to share the good with the bad. I did laundry, where did it all come from, I got in a simplified (cancer level) workout, talked with a girl friend on the phone and we (Callum, Daniel, Cory - my brother and I) went swimming. Now let me tell you about swimming bald. It is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It feels sooooooo cool to swim underwater with a bald head. Plus coming out of the water, no hair in my face, I feel so free. AND there is no wet hair to get me all cold when I get out of the pool. My big fear has been freaking out little kids with my bald head. And so when in public I always have it covered in these cute little headwear things my friends and family have gotten me, not just for baldies, www.buff.us. But amazingly today, no kids ran screaming the other way while we were at the pool.

It is so great having my brother here. Aside from the help has offered, he will be crucial as I go to get my chemo on Wednesday. Which takes me back down to the bottom for about six days and I slowly work back up. I weighed in tonight after eating an after dinner snack, at 119 lbs. Yeah. I've never worked so hard at eating in my life. Callum and Daniel have truly enjoyed having Uncle Cory around. We have wrestling practice every day, some times baseball too and today at the pool Cory through the boys in the air to do flips before crashing into the water, what a thrill!!!

Thanks for checking up on us. My pray is that the nausea is minimal and I can sleep, the steroids they give me for nausea make me soooooo jittery I can't sleep well. Thanks for your support. Lana

On Sunday, Lana's head decided it no longer needed hair...

2007-07-08T22:42:00.000-07:00

My brother-in-law Cory has always been known to buy very practical gifts for Christmas. Several years ago, when they first came out, Cory bought me a Gillette Mach 3 razor. If, at the time, he had told me that one night I would stay up late to use that razor to shave off the remaining hair on my wifes head, I would have suggested that he had been hitting the homemade beer rather hard.

But, thats what happened.

I heard Lana call my name tonight while she was taking her evening bath. I found her in the bathtub surrounded by her own hair. Within a few minutes most of the hair on her head was gone.

On the bright side, shes got a nice head.

These events are hard on Lana and reinforce that she is sick. But she is resilient and, after we got the stragglers removed and got her head lotioned up, she was ready for the commemorative photo.

Lana is strong and brave.

Just a little off the top...

2007-07-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

Dr. K said that 16 days after the first chemo treatment, she would probably notice hair loss. Turns out he was right. So, to avoid the awful feeling of losing gobs of hair every morning, Lana decided on a more daring approach...let the boys cut it off. I think that she looks like GI Jane...which works for me.

Some good news at Lana's 2nd treatment...

2007-07-05T21:11:00.000-07:00

Lana got another stick in the arm today...but she also got a great boost.

Today was Lana's second chemo treament, which is a real drag and will make her sick for about a week. She also was able to meet with Dr. K who gave her the good news that over the past two weeks, her tumor has shrunk by as much as 50%.

Lana was very excited to know that the chemo is having an effect.

The second week has been easier...

2007-07-02T08:41:00.001-07:00

In past posts, you may recall that a few days ago, Lana woke up vomiting and was having a really hard time with the nausea.

We took her to the doctors office, the specialists there gave her an IV and switched up her meds some. Since then, the only thing that Lana has really be fighting has been the fatigue. Lana who is no stranger to a nap knows how to fight the fatigue.

So, the spoltlight needs to be on the person who is making "normal" possible right now...Lana's mom, Judy. Grammy has been with us for about 2 weeks. Without her, this would all fall on me, which makes me think that my mother-in-law is really cool.

And, the kids spent most of this morning teaching Grammy to play a snowboarding game on the PS2. It is my opinion that the children should focus on peace in the middle east...better chance for success.

Big support from the Kansas Cousins...

2007-07-02T08:21:00.001-07:00

Lana's brother and his family live near Wichita, KS and they love their Aunt Lana.

I can imagine that for those guys, being so far away from their Aunt who is sick is hard and they really wanted to do something to show their support. For Parker (the youngest), this started with the idea to shave his head in solidarity with his probably-soon-to-be-bald Aunt.

However, due to the fact that the Kansas Cousins have always been a little odd, this show of solidarity somehow morphed into a full-on dye job instead.

All I can say is that I am told that the result was supposed to be some form of blonde, and your Aunt Lana definitely feels loved.

Stay wierd, Parker!!

Little calf, big name...

2007-06-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

We had a calf this week at our place.

Now, we are small ranchers, the kind that, when a heifer calf drops, we spend a lot of time thinking of a name for it. We have decided on AMAZON.

You might be wondering what this has to do with Lana's breast cancer.

I once heard that that the word Amazon came from some old word that means "one breast." The myth was that the Amazons would actually amputate one of their own breasts in order to handle a bow and arrow better. I thought that this name would be symbolic of where we were in life when that calf was born.

Turns out the "one breast" myth is complete hooee.

In reality, Amazon is the Ionian Greek form of the Iranian word ha-mazan which means "fighting together." I think that this meaning actually makes the name more appropriate.

It's not good to start your day vomiting...

2007-06-26T23:23:00.000-07:00

But that is what Lana did today. I have been very worried about how sick she has been. While today was the first day that Lana actually threw up, she has just felt puny and on the verge of being sick since her treatment 6 days ago.

The main reason that I am worried is that I have watched her lose about 5 pounds in the past 6 days, so, if you do the math, after 16 weeks Lana would be able to play on the teeter-totter with our 3 year old.

So, a trip to Dr K's office was in order. There, through the wonders of fluids that flow directly into her veins and a specialist that helped her straighten out her nausea meds, Lana is feeling much better and has even put down some real food this afternoon.

One thing that is heavy on her mind is the idea that she will lose her hair. People have told her that it is easier (emotionally) to lose short hair than long hair. So tomorrow a trip to Valerie's has been arranged and a dramatic hair do is promised. I'll post photos when I can and if she'll let me.

Being sick can be humbling....

2007-06-25T09:26:00.000-07:00

The unanticipated outcome of Lana being sick is that I have realized just how much Lana is loved and how many people's lives she touches every day.

The cards have been a great gift: so many people from so many places who are sharing their prayers and writing their good wishes. We have had some of the best cookies. Our church here in Powell Butte has really stepped up and been a "cup of cold water" for us.

It was really hard for me to watch as a friend from church mowed our entire half acre of lawn...what a gift for us...thanks Dick!!

Our baby sitter on Saturday night wouldn't let us pay her. She was just glad to be able to watch the boys for us while we went to the rodeo (the Crooked River Roundup was great!!) Thanks Nina and Kylie!!

So, the Lord has been teaching us to accept the gifts. Sure, we could probably hunker down and get by without some of these nice gifts, but we are learning that it is selfish to deny our friends and family when they want to love us.

We are humbled, we are grateful.

3 days after chemo

2007-06-22T22:22:00.000-07:00

I have heard people say that the 3rd day after chemo is hard. I would say that this seemed like the hardest day for Lana. She has had to deal with the nausea and has just been really tired.

Between my mom, Lana's mom and my sister, our boys have been well cared for. We are very grateful.

Our friends Jason and Amy are here for a visit. We are planning to take all to a rodeo on Saturday night. I am hoping that Lana feels up to it. I think that it would be a nice distraction.

My notes from phamacy class...

2007-06-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

Lana tells me that some of you who are more informed about the process of curing cancer want to know the specifics of her treatment. Here is the best that I could get in my notes. I am pretty sure that I am spelling most of the drug names wrong, but I tried to spell them as if I was an over-paid marketing executive:

Lana received standard dose dense chemo with Adriamyacin & Cytoxin. She will receive these treatments every two weeks. We are told that her chemo cocktail may change half way through her regimen, but the whole thing takes 16 weeks.

Today she got a shot of Newlasta. This drug helps her immune system, but has the side effect of causing bone pain.

She is also on Aloxi, Decadron, Compozine and Adavan for nausea.

We learned some other things yesterday about the cancer and the treatment:

Dr. K says that the biology of the cancer is what you want if you are going get breast cancer (please no envy). It is ER/PR Positive & HRII Negative. He said, though, that a Mastectomy is likely. In addition, Lana will likely have to undergo radiation and hormone therapy.

In a few weeks, Dr. K will order the BRCA test. This will tell us if Lana carries the gene that puts her at higher risk for Breast Cancer.

Well...thats the complete update for all the medical nerds.

The "Chemo Lounge"

2007-06-20T18:27:00.000-07:00

In case you wondered what it looks like in the "Chemo Lounge" at Bend Memorial Clinic...

Prayer Requests

2007-06-20T18:11:00.001-07:00

June 20 , 2007

Please pray for Callum 5 1/2 and Daniel 3 3/4 years old. A lot is going on and it's hard to explain to such small boys with tender, innocent hearts.

Please pray I won't loose my eye lashes and eyebrows. Now I know someone out there can teach me how to draw my eyebrows back on, but eyelashes, they keep the dust out of ones eyes and out here in Powell Butte we have lots of dust. The eyebrows helps the dust too, but I'm really praying for eyelashes, I don't want to look like a naked mole rat.

Please pray for all these medical folks I have been given, only through the Lord's strength, I am choosing to submit and trust my life with them and their decisions. The doctors have meetings every Wednesday and Thursday morning, so 20 doctors are reviewing my case along with Dr. K.

There are so many patients, how do they keep us all straight. I just pray that they always give me the correct drugs and prescriptions.

Please pray for the strength of my family who is constantly caring for me in one way or another. My sister-in-law Holly, who has been constantly available to me and caring for me, it's like she has taken on a new job, but not letting go of any of her full time mommy jobs she already has with her three kids. Pray for Cameron, my rock. He's doing so much with work, taking care of our boys and our little hobby farm. I pray that he will have peaceful and heavy sleep. My mom, Judy, she has come to visit and help. She is a great help, takes so much stress off me in little ways, that i would never be able to ask another person, but she did just have her hip replaced and she is almos 65 and my boys could run her ragged if she let them. Pray for healthy balance for my mom.

And most of all Praise God for all the wonderful friends, scripture and comfort he has brought to me and my family.

First Chemo treatment, Wed, June 20, 2007

2007-06-20T17:48:00.000-07:00

Today was my fist chemo treatment, I was very anxious and leary. First Cameron & I met with Dr. K. to learn all about chemo treatment.

After our converstaion, Q & A time, I told Dr. K. I didn't want to leave his little office. That would mean I would have to go to the chemo area to go get my chemo and he so sweetly and politely told me he has other patients and that HE would be leaving my little cacoon of an exam room. I decided I might as well too.

Cameron and my mom took turns sitting with me during the chemo treatment which last 2 hours. The fear of the unknown or maybe the fear of needles shooting poison into my veins, brought a few tears to my eyes. Or maybe is was a new level of realization or acceptance that I have breast cancer, it was tought for a few moments, but Cameron was a champ and only left my side after I told him I was over it. He still has to work, pick up my prescriptions and take Callum to the hand surgeon and did I mention work.

Cameron has been an emotional support! My mother-in-law said these Craig men are strong in these situations, and I am finding it to be very true for me.

The specifics of the chemo will have to come from Cameron, he took all the notes. The nurses in the chemo treatment department were all so kind to me, giving me ice chips & popsicklse to keep my mouth from getting sores, giving me a fuzzy fleece blanket (dummy me, I wore shorts and it's cold in there) and let's not forget the little DVD player and movie selection. Cameron got me all set up and I did watch a litte towards the end of my time. This may not be what the doctors say, but if there is a needle, shunt etc. in my arm, I don't move my arm at all, which by the way will always be the right side.

And so it begins

2007-06-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

We learned today that our next appointment with the oncologist (Dr. K) is tomorrow (6/20) at 8:40 a.m. He is going to meet with us for an hour or so and then, we expect, Lana's chemo treatment will begin.

Lana's mom arrived today from Kansas. I think that it helps Lana to know that there is an extra set of hands around to help out with the kids and caretaking.

I know that we are all nervous...not sure what this will be like. I think that we would all rather be in the middle of it than anticipating it.

Here we go...

Telling the boys

2007-06-18T06:48:00.001-07:00

We have two boys. Callum 5 and Daniel 3.

One of the things that made telling them about Lana's cancer a little easier is that they are too young to realize that sometimes people die from cancer. I think that if they had been old enough to realize this it would have been really scary for them.

Lana and I decided to just tell them the basics and let them ask questions as they come.

We told the boys, "Mommy is sick. Its not like when you boys get sick, in order to get better mommy is going to have to go to the doctor a lot and it is going to take a while. Mommy's sickness has a name, its called cancer."

(it was only later that Lana and I realized that we cold have pressed for some advantage by telling the kids, "mommy's sick because you don't clean your room.")

Their reactions were very different. Callum's response was "ok, can we watch TV?" Daniel's was hugs and snuggles and concern. At the same time, it is Callum who has picked up the most about what is going on around him. He has learned that it is actually called "breast cancer" and that things like hair loss result from it.

Chemo to begin

2007-06-18T06:43:00.000-07:00

Dr. K says that he will review his course of action with his colleagues at Wednesday morning's "tumor board." He says that unless any of the doctors in that room have suggestions, he wants to begin chemo-therapy later that day (6/20).

I know that Lana is dreading it, but at the same time, I think that she is relieved to be started.

Other people have drama too

2007-06-18T06:33:00.000-07:00

We have really tried to enjoy our weekend as we let the full diagnosis settle in. This meant spending Saturday evening with my folks and my sister's family. My parents have a beautiful home with enormous, heavy, solid wood doors throughout. Our son, Callum decided to use one of these door to try and amputate the end of his right index finger. This led to a trip to the hospital where Callum, though brave, had many scary shots, xrays and stiches.

Lana and I agreed that if there was anything good to come out of Callum's accident, it was that we were able to spend some time NOT thinking about breast cancer. Something we haven't done since Tuesday.

The complete diagnosis

2007-06-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days, Lana has undergone several exams, a CT scan, an MRI, blood tests. The result is a picture that looks like this:

Lana has Infiltrating Ductile Cancer of the left breast. The Dr says that she is stage 3a becuase of the size of the tumor (5-6 cm) and the fact that is does involve a lymph node. The cancer is ER/PR +. This means that the cancer responds to Estrogen and Progesterone and that it is like the breast tissue around it (a positive sign that the cancer is not aggressive). Unfortunatley, much of the breast is involved.

The best we can tell, the treatment will be chemotherapy first (may begin as early as 6/20) and then surgery. Dr. K has set the expectation that, unless the chemo has a huge effect to reverse the cancer in the breast, the result will probably be a mastectomy...makes Lana very sad.

The real beginning

2007-06-15T22:19:00.000-07:00

Lana is only 37 so for her to discover a small lump on her breast was not terribly concerning. After all, she is so young. However, we decided together that it was the smart thing to do to ask the doctor. An exam led to a biopsy...

An uninvited guest

2007-06-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

This story begins with a phone call.

It was Tuesday, June 12th, and Lana sat with her friend at a pizza joint in our home town. The phone call was from Lana's doctor. The result of the biopsy indicated that Lana had breast cancer. In a moment, this uninvited guest had changed our lives.

She cried and then picked up the phone to call me. I was in a marketing meeting at work. The news hit me like a hammer and the only refuge from my emotions was that there were things to do.

Within the hour things began to happen: Families were called, doctor's appointments scheduled, I notified my boss. Since then it has been a whirlwind of activity and emotions, phone calls and learning. In all of this, we decided that a blog might be a good way to share information with our friends and family as well as therapy for me (Cameron, I am the husband) and Lana.

We hope that through this internet tool, we can stay conneted to our friends and family.