Initial diagnosis

Last week Jamie had a biopsy and we received the news that it was positive. Today we met with Dr. Jafari, Jamie's oncologist. He was encouraging in that Jamie's cancer is NOT Her2--a more aggressive form of breast cancer.

He described Jamie's cancer as Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, which is the most common type of breast cancer.

Jamie's cancer is stage 3 (out of 4 stages--1 being smaller and less concerning, 4 being larger and more concerning.)

Jamie will have a biopsy on her lymph nodes in the next few days; Dr. Jafari  believes that her lymph nodes are "probably involved."

Jamie still has several appointments--an MRI tomorrow, an appt. with Dr. Skinner, the surgeon next week, a cat-scan, the lymph-node biopsy, and insertion of a port for chemo.

After all the appointments and tests we will meet with the team of doctors to make decisions about treatment; but for now, it looks like the course of treatment will probably involve:

1. Chemo in two parts:
part 1 is weekly for 12 weeks
part 2--every other week for 8 weeks

2. Surgery--either a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, still to be determined.

3. Radiation--focused on the spot where the tumor is.

If we get all the appointments taken care of soon, Jamie could start chemo in about two weeks.

So this is where we are. Jamie hasn't said much today, I guess we're still taking it all in and processing.

This blog will be a place where we can update family and friends, and each of us (Jamie, Ashley, and me) can write about what we are going through and how we are feeling.

Feel free to leave comments, and thank you for your prayers, encouragements, questions, and support!