I am so happy to be posting our first update is positive. We found out today that Kimberly's various scans (PET, chest MRI, brain MRI, CT, Mugga) all came back clean. This means that they believe the cancer is localized in her breast and left side lymph nodes. This came out of our first appointment with the oncologist.
What kind of cancer does Kimberly have? We were a bit hesitant to post this. Initially they identified it as Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. However, there were still some unexplained symptoms and K and I pushed for more testing. The testing revealed that she also has Inflammatory Breast Cancer. This is a whole different thing than most other forms of breast cancer. It is a fast growing and spreading type of cancer and I will refrain from saying more. However, the fact that it seems we caught it early is huge. This also sped things up a bit, with a bit of gentle urging, begging, @ss kissing and plain old pushyness.
With IBC, you get best results if they treat with chemo before surgery. So tomorrow K has outpatient surgery to put a port in her chest, then her first Chemo starts afterward.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Goldie's Angels
Charlie's Angels have nothing on Goldie's Angels, not to mention Goldie. Eleven of the Angels, many of whom are Kimberly's closest friends, are participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure October 16th in Virginia Beach. Please consider donating in any of their names or the team name to contribute to the fight against breast cancer. They have already increased their goal once. Let's make 'em do it again.
Link: Goldie's Angels in Run for the Cure!
Link: Goldie's Angels in Run for the Cure!
What this is all about.
Here is a reprint from my August 26th e-mail:
Hello to all
If you are receiving this e-mail, we share something: an affinity for Kimberly Hayes. The past weeks have been a whirlwind for us. I have some serious news and there is no easy way to tell you. We found out a week ago Friday, after several tests and doctors’ visits, that Kimberly has breast cancer. Some of you already know this. On Wednesday of last week, we found out that it is a very serious form of the dreaded illness. We are still in shock. It takes time to adjust to the realization and all that goes with it.
We immediately moved to the process of seeing doctors and going through tests. We are gathering information so that the doctors can implement a treatment plan. Kimberly is being treated by the doctors at MD Anderson and she is getting the best care possible. We are cooperating, asking questions, reading and trying to add what we can to her treatment. We have been persistent about getting appointments quickly and the persistence has paid off. Every day is a long one, and we often find ourselves worn out at bed time. Kimberly is a strong woman, and we awake everyday full of fight and determination. We have been truly buoyed by our faith, our family and our friends. I never fully understood the strength of a circle like this, but it took only a week to realize what faith and great people can do when you face a real crisis.
You can help Kimberly. If you are a believer, put her in your prayers. If you are not, say a prayer for her anyway. We are starting a blog in the next day or so for those that want to keep up with what is going on with Kimberly. Thanks so much to all who have shown so much care, so much love. The support has been absolutely wonderful. Inspired. Extraordinary. And it has really helped. Of course I shouldn’t be surprised. Kimberly is one of the finest people I have ever known and I have the privilege of being married to her.
OK so what is left to say? Just that we are fighting and we won’t stop until Kimberly is 100% cancer free and healthy.
Richard
Hello to all
If you are receiving this e-mail, we share something: an affinity for Kimberly Hayes. The past weeks have been a whirlwind for us. I have some serious news and there is no easy way to tell you. We found out a week ago Friday, after several tests and doctors’ visits, that Kimberly has breast cancer. Some of you already know this. On Wednesday of last week, we found out that it is a very serious form of the dreaded illness. We are still in shock. It takes time to adjust to the realization and all that goes with it.
We immediately moved to the process of seeing doctors and going through tests. We are gathering information so that the doctors can implement a treatment plan. Kimberly is being treated by the doctors at MD Anderson and she is getting the best care possible. We are cooperating, asking questions, reading and trying to add what we can to her treatment. We have been persistent about getting appointments quickly and the persistence has paid off. Every day is a long one, and we often find ourselves worn out at bed time. Kimberly is a strong woman, and we awake everyday full of fight and determination. We have been truly buoyed by our faith, our family and our friends. I never fully understood the strength of a circle like this, but it took only a week to realize what faith and great people can do when you face a real crisis.
You can help Kimberly. If you are a believer, put her in your prayers. If you are not, say a prayer for her anyway. We are starting a blog in the next day or so for those that want to keep up with what is going on with Kimberly. Thanks so much to all who have shown so much care, so much love. The support has been absolutely wonderful. Inspired. Extraordinary. And it has really helped. Of course I shouldn’t be surprised. Kimberly is one of the finest people I have ever known and I have the privilege of being married to her.
OK so what is left to say? Just that we are fighting and we won’t stop until Kimberly is 100% cancer free and healthy.
Richard
What's in a name?
This blog is dedicated to my wonderful wife Kimberly and our fight against breast cancer.
You are right if you guess I didn't come up with the name. Goldie's Angels is the inspiration of friends and co-workers of Kimberly's. It's the "team" name of those who have absolutely put their hard hats on and gone to work supporting Kimberly and joining the fight against breast cancer. So why Goldie? Because Kimmy reminds so many of us of Goldie Hawn. More on Goldie's Angels shortly.
Don't expect me to reveal all the mysteries this easily...
You are right if you guess I didn't come up with the name. Goldie's Angels is the inspiration of friends and co-workers of Kimberly's. It's the "team" name of those who have absolutely put their hard hats on and gone to work supporting Kimberly and joining the fight against breast cancer. So why Goldie? Because Kimmy reminds so many of us of Goldie Hawn. More on Goldie's Angels shortly.
Don't expect me to reveal all the mysteries this easily...
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