Shannon's World as of July 2nd, 2008

Hello to all of my dear concerned friends and family. As you know, I have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I know, it kind of took my breath away too, not to mention what it's going to do to my boob! Anyway, Linda Seeholzer or "Goose" as she's known when she is by my side at the Doctor's office, (I of course am Maverick) and the beautiful, talented and clever, Jessica Norkon suggested that I set up this blog as a means of communicating with everyone who has been good enough to show their concern for my well-being.

So, first I would like to reassure you all that I am doing as well as can be expected given the situation. As of today, I am still waiting to hear about a test for a genetic mutation referred to as BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 Markers. The simplified version is that if I have one of these markers, there is a 50% chance that I will develop Breast Cancer in my right breast at some point in the future, and and a 30 to 40% chance of developing Ovarian Cancer. If I do have the marker, rather than just concentrating our efforts on the left breast, I will likely have a double mastectomy and also have my ovaries removed. This will improve my odds by 90%, which isn't far from the general populations risk of developing these same cancers. Obviously, I would rather only go through this crap once and who knows, I just may get that big set of breasts I always wanted! I guess you have to be careful what you wish for too.

Of course the hope is that I do not have the marker, in which case I am scheduled to have a lumpectomy on July 14th, at which point they will also do a Sentinel Node Biopsy which will tell us if the cancer has spread to my Lymph Nodes. If it has spread to the Nodes, then they will remove the nodes as well. If not, then we wait for further pathology that will be done outside of the O.R. and that will give us additional information about the further course of treatment. It is likely, given what we know so far, that I will have to have both Radiation and Chemotherepy before I am done, as well as will take a drug called Tomoxafin. The treatments and the drug will address the concerns about the possibilty of the cancer having spread to other areas of the body as well as making sure I don't have a recurrence of breast cancer.

The treatments will also put me into menopause immediately, and I will have to deal with the other possible side effects as well, which include the possible loss of hair, weight gain, and problems with mouth sores etc.. So if you run across 300 pound, bald and possibly toothless raging maniac who seems to know you, that will likely be me. Just tell me how cute I am and perhaps recommend a good diet and exercise program along with a hair dresser who makes wigs! However, if you can't joke about it, please just smile and nod!

On that same note, we have decided to make the best of a possibly bad situation by being creative. If I do lose my hair, I have decide that the more outrageous the look the better. So with that in mind, I have already started by cutting my hair short (no point in trying to grow it out now) and dying it red. I have had a few different reactions to this. Jessica says I look 10 years younger! Woo Hoo!, but my grandson, Ian is not so sure. He just said "oh Nana, it's awfully red"! He of course just thinks I am crazy anyway, but also knows that both Nana and Grandpa think they are both awfully good looking people! Either way, if you have some ideas and or wigs you would like to donate to the cause of making a difficult situation more light hearted, I will gladly accept your help/donation.

As I go through this process, I will try to keep you all updated via this blog, but if at times I am not feeling up to it, Jessica and Linda have assured me they will do the updates for me. So please feel free to visit as often as you wish, and I welcome your notes of encouragement, your thoughts and prayers, and of course any and all jokes. If at times I am not responsive to your phone calls, I hope you will understand that I am simply doing what I can to care for myself, and that it does not mean I don't appreciate your thoughtfulness.

You know what they say, there is a silver lining to all things, and so far, I can tell you that my silver lining is knowing that all of you have shown your love, friendship and support, and so I know that I am truley fortunate indeed!