I just spoke with mom and she said that she feels like she has been poked and prodded out for the day!  Her and dad only ate a piece of banana bread at 7:30 a.m. and have not eaten anything since. They finally got water at 3:00 p.m., so they are going to get some much needed rest and food to restore their energy for tomorrow.  She resumes the testing of her body tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m.  They will be completing an MRI of her breast along with any other tests they feel are necessary.

Mom and dad had a two hour conversation with the doctor today and had some positive information to share.  The doctor thought that a mastectomy or lumpectomy could be completed.  The doctor said that only 1% of women actually see the cancer appear in the other breast!  They still need to get all the test results back, but a mammogram and ultrasound were completed today on the infected breast.  The ultrasound did indicate one thickened and one abnormal lymph node, but this could be due to the biopsies that were completed in Bismarck.  With all the problems mom has had in that breast, the doctor did state that she has a lot going on in that particular breast.  The doctor was able to see the fibroids and calcification from previous operations and complications.  There is some fluid that has centralized in the area that the biopsies were completed on and there is some concern in relation to this.  Tests were also run on her liver enzymes and a test will be completed to see if there are any indications that the cancer is in her lungs.  Mom and dad have not received the results on the liver enzymes or the lungs as of yet.  This particular type of cancer has the possibility of spreading to the liver, lungs, or bone.  

The doctor told mom that the cancer has made up its mind and that she does have cancer, but we need to find its location before any official treatment options will discussed.  Although all of the tests results have not come back, the doctor did tell mom that she will receive the herceptin treatments to kill and attack any cancer cells that may be in the body.  As to how long the treatments will be need, that is still unclear.  

Herceptin is a specific type of biological therapy that is designed to shut down proteins by attaching to the proteins and, in effect, smother them.  This halts the pro-growth molecular instructions that these proteins relay into the bodies of cancer cells.  This therapy is often referred to as "targeted therapy" because the drug zeroes in on cancer cells much more closely than chemotherapy drugs do, thereby sparing surrounding tissue (Information taken from the Mayo Clinic website, written by Dr. Edith Perez).  The great thing about Herceptin is that it does not have all of the same side effects that regular chemotherapy drugs!  Susie may not have to be on wig patrol any longer!  

Until tomorrow, keep those prayers a coming!  ...Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discourage, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. 

Joshua 1:9-10