To Chemo or not to Chemo?

Waiting has never been one of my talents.  I’ll admit, I even tell secrets I’m not supposed to tell because I just can’t stand the excitement of waiting.  (But only good secrets). 

Yesterday, when we were told that it will be another two weeks for a definitive decision on my treatment plan, I was, well , ready to put a staple gun to my head – almost.   But I got over that, since more than waiting, I hate pain.

We were at the cancer center from 2:30 pm until almost 6:00 and had lots and lots of information downloaded on us, so this morning, I had Kate, my dear daughter-in-law who is a nurse, exegete what exactly happened.  It was still a lot of stuff.

I have come away with four salient points, so I don’t bore you to tears:

1)      There is a 50/50 chance I may NOT need chemo!!  But we won’t know for two more weeks.

2)      My particular cancer tumor showed that it was 100% estrogen receptor positive (dependent). This  is actually a good thing because it means that any microscopic cells that could have been missed can be actively controlled by taking an anti estrogen pill for the next 5 years.    At this point, that is the only part of my regimen that is certain.  This  treatment basically starves the estrogen cells to death.  So as the medical oncologist said,

 “Chemo smashes the cancer cells to death; the anti-estrogen procedure starves them.”

3)  The tumors (actually I had two) are being sent to a special lab for “oncotype testing” (genetic testing of the cancer cells to determine the recurrence possibilities) and determine whether chemo is the best way forward in addition to the anti-estrogen pill.

4)      After this first decision is made, there will be a radiation consult.  That discussion is based on the fact that the tumor margins were so close to the chest wall.

Waiting for two more weeks, so that I may not need chemo is well worth the wait.  And you know, David in the Psalms, reminded me that, “People who wait on the Lord’s timing, soar with wings like eagles, run and don’t get winded, and walk and don’t pass out.”  I’ll go with the wait.

One little downside:  I had picked out this adorable little white wig with teeny tiny 2 inch dreadlocks, all over my head, for my new look. . .  (remember those bathing caps?)

Thanks for listening and loving me.  Love has healing in it.

Lopsided Lois

update on Lois

 

A  week ago today, on March 7, Lois had her mastectomy surgery.  It couldn't have gone better, according to her doctor, Alfred Chang, a nationally recognized surgeon and breast cancer specialist. There was a good chance that she could go on a pill that would render chemo and radiation unnecessary.

  

Today we got a call from his office saying that there have been complications.  The good news is that lois has stage 2 cancer, very treatable.  The not so good news is that the kind of tumor that was removed had "deep margins" too close to her chest wall for comfort.  That probably means several months of chemo and many weeks of radiation to follow.  The prognosis is excellent.  We were always aware of this possibility but it was a bit of a knock to get this news today.  The journey just got a little longer but the same God, the same promises, the same company of the loving and the faithful remain.

So how can friends and loved ones pray? For the meeting on Monday, March 19 to finalize the treatment plan of chemo and radiation.  For successful chemotherapy to follow. For grace to face the inevitable indignities that go with this procedure (hair loss, fatigue, nausea, etc.).  For decisions about housing and transportation.  For finances as out of pocket costs accrue. And mostly, for faith and hope and love. As we read psalm 126 this morning: "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him."  Weeks of sowing lie ahead.  Years of harvest follow.

Love and grace,

Mark for all

 Footnote:  Our missions has kindly set up a medical assistance fund for us that will help with our out of pocket expenses.  So far that amounts to about $10,000.  Gifts for this fund (tax deductible) should be made out to “AIM” (with a note that it is for the Shaw medical fund) and should be sent to:

Africa Inland Mission
P.O. Box 3611
Peachtree City, GA 30269-7611

Karen Mains on Lois Shaw

Many of you may remember Karen Mains as a creative Christian author of much loved books such as "Open Heart, Open Home" as well as magical children's books. She has some very nice things to say about my impressive wife.  So above all my impressive wife's objections please check out this link: http://www.hungrysouls.org/newsletter/issue-11-06.html

Cancer story

Dear Women in my life: (and the men who love them)
Its International Women’s Day !!!!!!
What a perfect day to start this Cancer Free chapter in my life. If there could be an ideal mastectomy and hospital, I had it, and I was in it. I feel incredibly thankful and abundantly blessed. I will celebrate this day every year for the rest of my life. Cancer free sounds so good; so very good.

And I will celebrate each one of you with inexplicable thanksgiving. You have been an international support team and prayer warriors without whom I could not have made this journey.

1) Tube tops: Frankly, it has taken me until at now 62 years old to get my first tube top. Mother never let us wear them when we were teenagers, and I guess I just never got over it – until now. I’m wearing a pink, tiny-flowered tank top – with ruffles on the top and bottom (think 60’s flower children) and it is binding me together while my body gets over this trauma of a part missing. Just in case I cough, for example. On the side is a plastic tube hanging down to about my waist with a clear plastic grenade-like bulb on the end, draining fluid. The amazement of it all to me is that I left the hospital early in the afternoon after a 7:30 am procedure. I walked out of the hospital with Mark on one arm, and Jonathan on the other. I felt like a queen; a weak wobbly queen, but a queen. And I was wearing my tube top under it all.
2) Miracles: This 35 day chapter in my life has been an “are you kidding me?” miracle from the moment I noticed a funny lump on my breast and was summarily ordered by my husband to go to the doctor that morning, to getting a quick diagnosis from my doctor in Nairobi, Kenya, to getting flights back to the USA with the help of AIM, our awesome mission, to ending up at one of the USA’s top cancer centers, and really one of the best breast cancer doctors there is. Google Dr. Alfred Chang at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI., and you will be amazed.
The faculty and staff women at AIU took over my responsibilities, the whole university community gathered to pray for me. I left my son in law, Michael in Africa climbing Mt Kenya to raise funds for cause I believe in, and I “happen” to be staying at Jonathan and Kate’s home which is about 5 minutes from the hospital. (At least the way Mark drives). And Kate is my resident nurse, who just happens to be the best nurse there is. My list of miracles is just getting longer and longer.
The Poet, David was so right on when he said that God is our helicopter parent who hovers over us with relentless delight. (loose translation)
3) Tattoos. No, I’m not going to get one, but I’ve had a series of temporary tattoos each day I had a pre-op appointment, or a test, or treatment. The professionals at the hospital are extremely cautious that they get the right breast. Apparently mistakes can be made. So they were constantly writing on me with semi-permanent markers to be sure we were all on the same side.

My darling grandsons, Graham and Eliot have filled these days with reasons to live and laugh, and Conner tells me on the phone that “Shosho, you are going to be better,” with a certain note of authority that “almost three” year olds command.

Anne, as always, is my laughter. She says, “Mom, only 35 days of cancer? That’s so minor league. You need about 6 months to a year to get into the majors and some real sympathy. We barely got the news and now you’re out of surgery. What was that?”

Mark reads Psalms to me each morning in bed, along with a delivery of fresh coffee – this is the good life!

So there you have it. That’s life here in the Tropic of Cancer, were loss is great, but grace is greater.

Absolutely thankful,

Lois

Cancer free

Lois underwent her three hour surgery today. The doctor is confidant that she is now cancer free. She will have a routine follow up consultation in a week to determine if radiation or chemo is needed. At this point there is no indication that she would need either. God has been very good to us and we are very grateful for your prayers.

Update on Lois's health

On February 14, Valentines Day, Lois received the news that she had invasive breast cancer. A week later we were on a plane to Ann Arbor, Michigan and the cancer center at the university of Michigan hospital. Our kids Jonathan and his wife Kate offered us a place to stay and support of family and the blissful distraction of two grandsons under 5. We got news today that her surgery will be on Wednesday march 7. Our God has given peace in this storm. Hands and hearts hold us up daily to him who rules all things. Pray for a successful surgery and the end of the cancer. Pray for a quick recovery after the surgery. We will most likely be stateside for the rest of the year as the medical leave that takes us into June is followed by our regular home assignment. Thank you for your love and prayers.


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