Last Chemo Today

[XUglow]

I first posted about Nat's breast cancer on MM in December and have kept people up to date on here since January. She went through one round of chemo, surgery, and then a second round of chemo.

Today is the last dose of the 2nd round of 4 doses, and the doctors are fairly confident that this will be it for her for chemo. They are saying she is cancer free for now, which is a small miracle. She was far advanced, the cancer was aggressive, and the prognosis was not good. (Her main tumor was 25 cm, 10 inches, long when they found it.) The oncologist set her chances at 20% when we started treatment. Her surgeon even said that if it were him, he wouldn't bother with the treatment, and she strongly considered that possibility.

The next stage for her is to have some reconstructive surgery after she gets over the chemo, and then she will have 33 doses of radiation to help insure that the cancer does not return. It has a 35% chance of coming back in 5 years w/out the radiation and a 6% chance of returning in 5 years with the radiation. We should be through with everything by the end of August.

She is looking forward to having her hair grow back and getting fabulous again so we can take Miss Muskie and Faith in tow and make it to 2-3 Xavier games this year. She is trying to pencil in Baton Rouge, New York, and a trip to Cintas on her schedule. Miss Muskie will go if Nat goes. Faith will go if there is champagne.

[MADXSTER]

Always good to hear Fabulous news like that.

God Speed.

[Snipe]

She is in my prayers.

[XU05and07]

Good to hear...hope that it never returns...she'll continue to be in my prayers

[DC Muskie]

Prayers continue, glad to hear the good news!

[ATL Muskie]

Awesome. Keep us posted Glow, and make sure she knows the full and totally awesome power of the Xavier Nation is behind her.

[muskienick]

Although I am not in the highest standing relative to my ticket into heaven, I'll continue to add my prayers for her complete and lasting recovery. You folks need to grow very old together and enjoy the XU Glow of repeated national championships!

God Bless!

[Kahns Krazy]

Although I am not in the highest standing relative to my ticket into heaven...

I think that's the funniest lead in to a prayer offering I've ever seen.

Pile on some more prayers from my end.


P.S. There is always Champagne.

[XUglow]

P.S. There is always Champagne.

It will have to be at the game if we want Faith there.

[Jumpy]

Great to hear, Glow. I have had too many run-in's with cancer in my family, and I know how taxing it can be for all involved. She is lucky to have friends like you, Miss Muskie and Faith to keep her in good spirits.

[Muskie73]

Couldn't be happier to hear the news, Glow. Spent time with my 86 year old mother this past weekend who had her first bout of cancer 40 years ago. She also received an aggressive regimen of radiation therapy with a poor prognosis and through prayer and a positive attitude is planning to attend her grandson's wedding in Memphis (she lives here in Cincy) later this summer.

Faith and prayer are powerful allies! My prayers go with you and your friend.

[XUglow]

Faith and prayer are powerful allies!

As are Faith and Miss Muskie!

Nat really appreciates all of the prayers. Interestingly enough, the cancer brought her back to the Catholic Church after a 20-year separation. Her priest has been fantastic. Despair nearly won the day with her several times, but the village of people that supported her helped her keep the faith, and you will never convince me that her faith and the many prayers didn't make the difference.

[Stonebreaker]

Good luck Glow.

[XUglow]

Folks, Nat went into her reconstruction surgery at 10:00 EDT. They said 2-3 hours. She told me to thank everyone for remembering her.

[Kahns Krazy]

It will have to be at the game if we want Faith there.

Done. And Done.

[mlcspinner]

prayers and more prayers

[Stonebreaker]

God bless ya...hope everything turns out alright.

[XUglow]

Oh, wow. The idiot did her surgery with just local anesthesia, and her surgeon said it was like being the priest in the movie, The Exorcist. Both parties agree that she was a "horrible patient", and both parties agree that "horrible patient" isn't close to being an apt description of how she behaved.

The sugery went well in spite of the chaos, so that is a good thing.

Nat is now hopped up on whatever pain pills they gave her. She wanted to know if I was coming over. I explained that I was 5 hours away. She wanted me to go to the Brunos and get her some frozen edamame. I said, "Nat, I am 5 hours away." To which she said, "OK, just put them in your freezer." She also wanted to know if I had a step ladder because she left some pictures on top of her refrigerator. She then went on about how much she loved and missed Miss Muskie. I told her that I love and miss Miss Muskie as well, and she said, "I knew it, you bastard."

You know, that must be some really good stuff.

[xeus]

Good news Glow. Thanks for the update. Hope to meet Nat at the LSU game.

[KC4X]

Great news, Glow. Prayers will continue.

[GuyFawkes38]

I apparently haven't see this thread for the past month. But I just read it and I can't be happier for Xuglow. My prayers will be with you.

[vee4xu]

gkow, very happy to hear your news. May it continue to only get better.