This is Part 13 of a series following
the progress of Carol Mohrbacher, who began treatment for breast cancer
in January. The last installment was on August 29.
* * *
Life is a season of thankfulness. Especially for one who received what
amounted to a death sentence last December.
Instead, Carol Mohrbacher believes that she is the recipient of a genuine
miracle.
Last December Mrs Mohrbacher was diagnosed with breast cancer and had
surgery Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007 (The Other Side of Tuesday series).
At that time she began a life or death journey.
The diagnosis after surgery was of a “left breast lumpectomy”
(invasive tumor type); ductal and lobular carcinoma; size of tumor 2.2
cm; left axillary dissection of lymph nodes. The slides demonstrate
a combined ductal and lobular carcinoma.
“Extensive lymph node metastases are seen, 15 nodes, some of which
are grossly positive and have matted appearance. The largest group of
matted lymph node measures 3.2 cm ( predominantly lobular histology).”
None of this was a good sign.
Usually the most successful chemotherapy treatment for this diagnosis
is to begin therapy within six weeks after surgery. If started later
the success rate drops off dramatically.
During this time Mrs. Mohrbacher’s heart was scanned to see if
it could withstand chemo. On her first meeting with her oncolologist,
Dr. Peng she learned that she had many metastic cancerous lesions (bone
cancer) on her inner chest wall, ribs and spine.
Dr. Peng suggested invasive surgery to do a biopsy on these lesions,
but after considering what it involved and how much it might damage
other organs Mrs. Mohrbacher decided no.
Meantime the clock was running out on the optimum time to have the chemo
treatment.
Her situation was a paradox: The treatment for the breast cancer would
so compromise her immune system that the bone cancer could ultimately
take over and kill her.
February Dr. Peng said there was no treatment he could give her. He
wanted to see her every three months for tests and to take a treatment,
Femara. It ultimately eliminates all hormones produced in the body (Her
breast cancer was a hormone receptor.)
Again she elected against the treatment. Her doctor also advised a bone
cancer protocol called Aredia. But she did it only once because of the
agonizing pain it caused and it wasn’t going to cure anything,
just possibly prolong her “good period.”
“My road was to be one of living my life to the fullest each day
and whatever God had planned for me, he would get me through,”
she recalls.
A follow-up mammogram six months later showed no change, although her
blood tests showed that the proteins (tumor food) had more than doubled.
During this time she felt fine. She and her husband took part in a 3,500
mile motorcycle trip through the Rockies in August.
She worked on the foundation that she founded (Patrons of Special Care
for Special Seniors Foundation) worked on the Queen of Hearts Ride for
Breast Cancer Research via the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk,
took part with Carol’s Crew in that walk and built her home-based
gift service while also serving on the Chamber board and joining the
Rotary Club.
The tests immediately following the road trip showed that her body had
returned to the normal ranges for everything.
The spike in “proteins” was now normal along with all of
the the other tests.
Dr. Peng advised another bone scan. Taken this month, it was compared
to the scan from last January, which had shown that she had bone cancer.
The lesions on her inner chest wall, ribs and spine had disappeared!
She writes: “On November 23rd, I received verification that all
my tests were normal as well. I will continue to see Dr. Peng in three
month intervals to document my progress. For all intent and purpose
I am in total remission at the moment and possibly for sometime to come.
Regardless, in my life ‘every day is Christmas and miracles do
happen.’ ”
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