Amy’s husband Todd here. It was important to Amy that we get an update posted tonight despite it being so late.
We received a combination of good news and bad news from the doc tonight.
First the good news. There was some response to the chemo done prior to surgery. The major tumor measured only .8 centimeters at the time of surgery which represents shrinkage of roughly 75%. Doc is not very worried about this tumor at this point.
Unfortunately, there is also bad news.
First on the bad news front they did find cancer in a lymph node. They only found cancer in one lymph node, but doc believes there was likely cancer in additional lymph nodes originally that got zapped by chemo.
Also on the bad news front the margins were all clear, but the deep margin (the one closest to the chest wall) was clear by only .1 centimeter. As far as they can tell the cancer has not moved into the chest wall, but they did find cancer .1 centimeter from the chest wall. Because this margin is so small there is concern about microsopic cancer cells moving to the chest wall.
Finally on the bad news front they found a second type of cancer. The tumor that was originally biopsied was labeled invasive ductal carcinoma. But the pathology report has now found a second type of cancer called invasive lobular carcinoma. This cancer did not respond nearly as well to the chemo treatments done prior to surgery.
What does all of this mean? It means additional treatment.
Radiation is a certainty due to the margin issue. It will be done as a precaution to kill any microscopic remaining cancer cells.
We received a combination of good news and bad news from the doc tonight.
First the good news. There was some response to the chemo done prior to surgery. The major tumor measured only .8 centimeters at the time of surgery which represents shrinkage of roughly 75%. Doc is not very worried about this tumor at this point.
Unfortunately, there is also bad news.
First on the bad news front they did find cancer in a lymph node. They only found cancer in one lymph node, but doc believes there was likely cancer in additional lymph nodes originally that got zapped by chemo.
Also on the bad news front the margins were all clear, but the deep margin (the one closest to the chest wall) was clear by only .1 centimeter. As far as they can tell the cancer has not moved into the chest wall, but they did find cancer .1 centimeter from the chest wall. Because this margin is so small there is concern about microsopic cancer cells moving to the chest wall.
Finally on the bad news front they found a second type of cancer. The tumor that was originally biopsied was labeled invasive ductal carcinoma. But the pathology report has now found a second type of cancer called invasive lobular carcinoma. This cancer did not respond nearly as well to the chemo treatments done prior to surgery.
What does all of this mean? It means additional treatment.
Radiation is a certainty due to the margin issue. It will be done as a precaution to kill any microscopic remaining cancer cells.
Radiation will be followed by five years of taking the drug Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is a hormonal therapy drug which has proven extremely effective in killing estrogen positive lobular cancer.
The only unknown at this point is whether Amy will need additional chemo treatments. Doc will be running a test called Oncotype DX test. This test will give a numeric score to the chance of recurrence. If Amy is at low risk for recurrence then they will forgo additional chemo. If Amy is at high risk for recurrence then additional chemo will be added to the treatment docket.
Continue to pray for Amy as she settles into the reality that we are in an ongoing fight against this stubborn disease. It’s been a rough night as we were all hoping for better news. But we also recognize the news could have been worse. There is still reason for hope and belief that we can beat this. It is just going to take longer than we would like. Despite the disappointment and tears tonight she is ready to move forward and fight.
Thank you all of your prayers and support.
Patty
December 8, 2015 at 10:07 amAmy, I can kind of feel your emotional pain and possibly your husband’s. My husband went through throat cancer and his story is more painful than mine cancer is a big deal, especially when you have to face the facts of it coming back. My husband has had many tests in the last year and a half when the docs thought something could be cancer. It’s always there. I’m so glad you have all this support, I still cry when I think about what a local church did for us during John’s ordeal. I wrote his story on my blog. I hope you have a long and bright future and a short healing time.
To Sew With Love
January 12, 2011 at 7:20 pmSending lots of hugs and prayers…
-Lelanie
Anna Sams
January 12, 2011 at 5:31 pmAmy and Todd…. I woke up this morning and prayed to God to show me his will today, to lead me to others… to send me out… I said “what can I do Lord?”… I opened my email and I had a request for prayer and a link to your blogsite… I am on my knees and praying for you and will ask God for healing and light.. for him to draw you near to him …. He says ” Be still and know that I am God” Take comfort and know that He’s got this!! I don’t know you guys… but I know that God has sent me this direction and I will ask others to pray as well! I have seen firsthand the power of prayer! Don’t give up! Anna
Life in Rehab
January 12, 2011 at 3:40 pmAmy, you and Todd just hang in there and get ready to kick this thing’s ass!
Crystal
January 10, 2011 at 7:31 ampraying!
Anonymous
January 7, 2011 at 3:43 pmamy,
one of my best friends is an oncology nurse. i met her while taking a friend to chemo(i’m a nurse too). my sister-in-law and several friends have been through breast cancer so i am familar with your treatments and surgery. i will be praying for you for God to give you and your family strength and peace.
laura (greenville, south carolina)
Cathy M~(checkitoff)
January 6, 2011 at 4:24 amContinued prayers for Amy, Todd & family. We love you and we are thinking of you! hugs, Cathy
jeana
January 6, 2011 at 2:24 amSending prayers for you all. Thanks for the update.
Olive's mum
January 6, 2011 at 1:12 amWe are praying for you all, and thank you for taking the time to inform us.
~Tonja~
January 5, 2011 at 11:27 pmHi Amy…I too am from the Sugar Pie Farmhouse board and am sending my prayers for you also…so
sorry that all of this has happen to you….my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family….
Tonja
GrandmaSoucie
January 5, 2011 at 10:38 pmAmy, a dear friend over at Sugar Pie Farmhouse told us all about you, so you’ve got quite an army there saying prayers for you. I am so sorry to hear the bad news, but encouraged with the good news!!! Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I have offered up the prayer that never fails, “God’s will be done,” and I hope the next report is so REMARKABLE that you are thrilled!! In everything, give thanks, GrandmaSoucie
Lindsay Lagman
January 5, 2011 at 8:34 pmyou said it…fight. fight. fight. YOU CAN DO IT AMY!!!
you’re a good man todd.
love from canada,
lindsay
JunkyJen
January 6, 2011 at 2:33 amStill praying for you and your family.
Romans 12:12(as I know you are)
Angie
January 6, 2011 at 1:31 amTodd, we are all praying for you, Amy and your entire family. Thank you for letting us know the results.
Sarah @ Mum In Bloom
January 5, 2011 at 11:42 pmI am so sorry. You, Amy and your family are in my prayers.
Kristin
January 5, 2011 at 4:15 pmI am so sorry that all news was not good news. I am thinking of you and praying for you all.
Love, Kristin
Liz
January 5, 2011 at 9:12 pmAmy, I pray that God would have mercy on you and your family. May He visit and heal your infirmities.
crystal.most
January 5, 2011 at 2:47 pmI am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!!!
Lisa Russell
January 5, 2011 at 2:37 pmYou all are in our prayers as you move forward in this battle you have to face. Sounds like the radiation will kill off that final .1 and get it gone for good!
Lana
January 5, 2011 at 1:17 pmMy prayers to you and your family! Strength and love will go along way with Faith to help you through this fight back to good health.
Lelia Chealey
January 5, 2011 at 1:06 pmTodd & Amy…I will continue to lift you and your girls up the the Lord. Amy, to know our pleas for your health and life do not fall upon deaf ears, but on the ears of your Creator. Righteous Father as Jesus called Him in John 17. He sees you my sweet friend. Continue to lean into Him.
Love,
Lelia
Cara
January 5, 2011 at 6:57 pmStill praying for you Amy, and your family.
Cara
Susan
January 5, 2011 at 12:33 pmContinuing to pray for Amy, you, and the children! Thank you for the update so we know how to pray specifically.
Corn in my Coffee-Pot
January 5, 2011 at 4:18 pmThank you Todd for the update, will continue to pray for Amy, for strength, and for her spirit. I am praying for you and your whole family.
Beth
January 5, 2011 at 3:45 pmThat is rough. You did a great job with the update- clear and to the point. It’s quite a blow but it sounds like you both know where your strength comes from. Rest in His arms. Get lots of rest and hang in there. I’m praying for you and your family.
Amy
January 5, 2011 at 2:54 pmAmy and family, I pray that the peace that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds during this time. Amy, I pray that your body has strength not only to fight, but that you may live every day just as you want to.
Sending hugs and warm thoughts your way.
tjandjessie
January 5, 2011 at 2:53 pmYou are all in my prayers. I know it has to feel like a set back, but God makes no mistakes and has given you a fighting spirit! You WILL beat this!
Why Not Sew?
January 5, 2011 at 2:46 pmAmy and your family are in my continued prayers. She will fight this and win! She seems like such a strong woman!
Marie @ Chocolate-Covered Chaos
January 5, 2011 at 1:38 pmPraying for you, Amy. Just keep moving forward:)
Janel
January 5, 2011 at 12:53 pmSending LOTS of prayers from Florida!
Mustang65
January 5, 2011 at 5:54 amWe will keep Amy and you all in our positive thoughts and prayers.
Anonymous
January 5, 2011 at 11:51 amPraying for you to fight this!
Eileen Smithdeal
January 5, 2011 at 5:43 amI will pray continually for Amy and your whole family. So sorry for the sad news. My mother battled breast cancer fifteen years ago. She had a very invasive type of cancer, and the prognosis looked grim. It was a long road to recovery, but she is cancer free today!!! I pray the same for Amy. Thank you for the updates. It must be hard to have to keep us all posted on top of everything else. We eagerly await good news! God Bless you.
Chef Lana
January 5, 2011 at 11:42 amPrayers for all of you.
Aimee
January 5, 2011 at 6:32 amPraying now for complete healing for Amy and for comfort for the entire family.
meeks
January 5, 2011 at 5:43 amSending lots of love and prayers from NZ.
xoxo