Getting our ducks pumpkins in a row.
Next week Far Guy begins specialized radiation treatments. Twenty treatments.
The Radiation Oncologist thinks that the specialized radiation can be done safely and Far Guy's lung will be spared injury. With radiation there is a about a 2% chance the cancer will reoccur, without radiation a 20% chance it will reoccur. So...we made the decision as a family that we wanted him to have radiation....because we want him to kick this cancer to the curb once and for all.
June 3 he saw the Dermatologist Jess for what he thought was a cyst, she took a biopsy.
June 10 he was diagnosed with breast cancer from a biopsy taken at the Dermatologists Office
June 13 he was seen by a Oncologist in Grand Forks North Dakota. The next week he had a Pet Scan and various tests.
July 2 he began Verzenio and Letrozole (blood tests and Dr visits every two weeks)
August 27 he had another Pet Scan and the tumor is now very small
September 8 he had a surgical biopsy of his Thyroid Gland (It is not cancer, it is thyroid and should be taken care of someday...no rush)
September 16 Verzenio discontinued due to side effects
September 25 Left Breast Mastectomy (biopsy results were good, no lymph node involvement, margins were acceptable concerning the tumor)
October 14 Switch in meds from Letrozole to Tamoxifen
October 22 he had a consult with the Radiation Oncologist
November 3 Radiation will begin in Grand Forks North Dakota
So there we are. Men can get breast cancer too.
Far Guy was the first breast cancer diagnosis for the Dermatologist.
He was the first male breast cancer patient for two of the Residents/Interns that were there for his surgery.
He was the third male breast cancer patient for his surgeon.
Far Side
This all sounds SO wonderful for him and his healing! Cancer absolutely Sucks!
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
That is a daunting list of stuff to deal with. I am still sending both of you powerful prayers from the heart.
ReplyDeleteWill you return to your daughter’s home until these are over or can you stay in the house in the big woods? I hope all goes well. FG is a rare male. He is one of a few, but I’m sure he’d rather be in the average group.
ReplyDeleteThe radiation treatments are three hours from our home in the woods. So we will head to our Winter home with our daughter who is ten minutes away from the Cancer Center.
DeleteHaving been there myself, cancer is a family disease. One person is the host for the cancer but the whole family has to deal with it. It sounds like your family unit has done well so far in the fight and I hope it continues for the rest of your natural lives.
ReplyDeletesuch a long haul but thankful for all those good caregivers...they make all the difference...
ReplyDeleteMy best wishes for favorable outcomes on FG upcoming treatment/s.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite the journey! I'm glad the end result has been good!
ReplyDeleteWhat a long journey, and it's great that you have wonderful doctors (except for that scutellum gland, of course).
ReplyDeleteStrength in the journey ahead.
Kind regards,
My prayers and best wishes for FarGuy and the upcoming treatments
ReplyDeleteContinued wishes for good healing for you both!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was having my radiation treatments for breast cancer, there was one man that was in our daily group. So glad to hear he has such wonderful doctors, it makes such a difference!
ReplyDeleteIt has been quite a journey so far. I wish Far Guy all the best as he keeps on keeping on!
ReplyDeleteWow - only 2% is a good number to see. Hope the radiation goes smoothly.
ReplyDeleteComing from a Cancer family also, it's a tough long road and it wears you out for sure! So glad that far guy has good Doctors and that you are on your way to complete healing after radiation! We continue to send prayers for you both!
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