This is part of a series that is
following the progress of Carol Mohrbacher, who began treatment for
breast cancer in January. The most recent installment was on June 20.
* * *
Carol Mohrbacher writes: “I last saw my oncologist, Dr. Peng the
afternoon of May 31. That is when, upon my specific request, he showed
me my two MRI’s, the one taken in early February, shortly after
the surgery and the one taken on May 21.
“I wanted to see the areas of my spine and ribs that have lesions
suspected to be cancerous.”
They reviewed the films. He emphasized that he was not a radiologist
and could not “read” the films. It was obvious that there
were modest differences in the specific areas, T12 – L1 and L2,
just based on the fact that they looked slightly different (because
of “tiny lesions”) than the other vertebrae…
It was enough of a change that the doctors, based on experience, short
of a biopsy, felt that Mrs. Mohrbacher had osteolytic metastatic disease.
Dr. Peng advised her to take Femara, a drug used to kill the body’s
ability to produce hormones. He asked her to allow him to treat her
once a month to an “infusion” of Pamidronate (Aredia®)
which treats cancer-related hypercalcemia (too much calcium in your
blood), and complications caused by breast cancer or multiple myeloma
spreading to your bones.
That chemical “infusion,” which she agreed to against her
better judgment, led to an episode of unspeakable pain that starting
14 hours after the infusion.
She writes: “The day following the infusion, Black Thursday, I
also ceased taking the Femara. As I lay on the sofa barely breathing
due to the intense pain in my bones, I came to the conclusion that poisoning
my body WITH chemicals, was not for me. “
A month later the experience has residual effects that she feels compromised
what had been a period of good health. She has not regained her strength
totally and some pain remains.
One week prior to that visit with Dr. Peng and the subsequent “infusion”
she had undergone the usual battery of blood tests. The results were
no earmarks of cancer in her blood.
Her most recent appointment was the sixth month check up with her surgeon,
Dr. Jennifer Lin Khoe. Before that visit she underwent another mammogram,
the first since her surgery.
“The technician who did the mammogram was not the talented, caring
technician I had had in December 2006. The mammogram was very painful,
not just on the breast which had the lumpectomy, but my other breast
as well.
“Technique, attitude, distraction, all play a big part in healthcare.
This young female technician had none of these attributes.”
That contrasted with her appointment with Dr. Khoe . She writes: “She
is wonderful. I feel totally blessed with her ability to do her work
as a surgeon, that she treats her patient with total care.”
They postponed the follow-up exam because the mammogram was not yet
ready.
So she had the “basic exam.” Dr. Khoe was concerned about
“something” around the surgery area. They discussed the
fact that Mrs. Mohrbacher was not receiving any treatments and agreed
to meet in one week.
She writes: “For me, the main thing was to ‘know’
if the mammogram was clear or not. I left, wondering what the next few
days would bring.”
A few days later Dr. Khoe called. The mammogram was clear and what she
was feeling was scar tissue! Great news!
Meantime, good things had been part of her life. Her non-profit Patrons
of Special Care for Special Seniors Foundation, an Alzheimer’s
care organization, had a successful fund-raising Founder’s Day
event, in May.
She was interviewed about the foundation on Fox 6 XETV’s Weekend
Show. Early in May, Mary Burdick, office manager at the The Roadrunner,
began organizing a charity event, the Queen of Hearts Benefit Ride for
Breast Cancer Research. Mrs. Mohrbacher had also been invited to join
a team to do the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk, Nov. 9–11. They are
calling the team “CAROL’S CREW.”
The Queen of Hearts Ride & Festival will take place Sept. 22, and
all profits and donations will go to Breast Cancer Research via CAROL’S
CREW, to the “Breast Cancer 3–Day Benefitting the Susan
G. Komen For The Cure.”
She writes: “I am so thankful that I am still able to do something
that will help others. I live each day with new appreciation, savoring
each moment. I find myself as busy as ever…
“My life is good. My husband and I are going on a long motorcycle
ride this summer… it will include ‘riding the Rockies,’
something I have wanted to do. I have reached the point in my life,
that I am doing the things I have longed to do… and savoring every
one. Live with passion!”
Her next appointment will be with Dr. Peng on Aug. 31.
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