Test results

We just received the test results from Shaquel's surgery and we have good and bad news. The GREAT news is that the other breast does NOT have cancer. The lump they removed from the other side was just fibroid tissue. The other GREAT news is that out of the 20 lymph nodes that they removed, only 3 showed to have cancer. However, the tests confirmed that the type of cancer she has is very aggressive, but can't be predicted. There is no way to tell how fast it can or will spread. The doctors advised Shaquel to schedule a mastectomy. She will return to the surgical room on Oct. 9th to have the procedure done. Because of the aggressiveness of this cancer she will need to have Chemo. She will need to be fully healed from this surgery before she can begin her treatments. This will take about 3 weeks. So we are looking at the end of Nov. before any Chemo treatments. On Monday she will meet with a plastic surgeon, as well as her cancer doc. to go over any other options and discuss further plans. She thinks that tomorrow she will get the grenade drip taken out of her arm and be able to go home. I think that she has thoroughly enjoyed her stay at her moms. Thanks again for all your prayers and phone calls. I will continue to keep you posted with this blog. Feel free to send a message her way using this blog as well.

Honesty

This past week for Shaquel has had some ups and downs. She definitely was "up" when she was on morphine, and loratab, you know the good stuff. Then she was "down" when they told her she didn't need it anymore and that she could go home. Wasn't that good, happy news? Yes, it was, but oh how she longed for just a little more morphine. When we visited her on Sunday, she admitted to me and I QUOTE ," I REALLY liked that morphine. That was some good stuff." We need to keep an eye on that girl!

In all honesty, this week has been a hard week for Shaquel. As tough as this girl is, recovery has not been an easy thing. It hasn't been as fast as she had hoped for. She said to me "I have been optimistic about this whole thing and last night (Monday) I was up all night and allowed myself to really think things through. I found myself worrying about the results and when would we get them. I even read some literature and statistics on breast cancer and I am scared to death. The what ifs are playing over and over in my mind. Do I have enough faith and optimism to not let fear overcome me?" The answer to that question is simple...yes, of course you do! You have 7 beautiful children to continue to live for. It is true, she has been optimistic, so much that a nurse meeting her for the first time commented on how Shaquel is inspiring because of how much optimism she has. It's been amazing to me as well. You can hear it in her voice, see it in her walk. This girl is out to beat this cancer and fight with everything she has. Here is her "plan of attack" for the next couple of weeks:

• recover from surgery
• have energy
• get off all pain killers :}
• get the "grenade" out ( a term used for this plastic container that has fluids draining into it from the surgery)
• get as strong and healthy as I can before I start Chemo
• stay and be positive
• get some sleep
• take a shower!
• be able to wash my own hair

This sounds like it's going to be a fun filled 2 weeks!

Shaquel would like me to thank everyone for your prayers, your visits, the encouragement and love that she has received this far. Thank you also for your help with her kids. Jim you are an awesome husband and dad! We know that you are capable of doing it all. We just don't want you to get wore out. Don't take it personal that Savannah asks for Aunt Darlene to come and do her hair in the morning for school. It's okay. You are still a good person. You just might need some practice sessions first before she has confidence in your hairstyling technique. :}

Thanks again, keep those prayers coming. Every prayer counts!

In the beginning... there was PAIN!

It began 3 weeks ago with an annoying pain at top of her chest. A couple of days went by and the pain never subsided. After a day of debating whether this was something serious or just GAS (lol) she found herself scheduling a Mammogram. While taking Rudy in for a check up, she asked the Doctor if she really needed to have a Mammogram. They determined that without a Mammogram the answer would not be clear. The following week Shaquel went in and had a Mammogram. While she patiently waited as the patient she saw several women come and go with happy faces. An hour and a half went by, several tests were conducted and Shaquel still did not have answers just a nurse that kept smiling as she passed by. Finally the nurse came in said the Doctor would like another Ultra Sound done. By this time she began to assume that something was not right. The Doctor found two suspicious spots that were not at the location of her pain. It didn't take long after that to schedule the next series of events. Biopsy, surgery and what her options were. Still there was no definite conclusion of what it was. They told Shaquel it could be two things, calcium deposits or cancer. It took two weeks to get the results from her biopsy and it confirmed that Shaquel does in fact have cancer. It is stage two breast cancer.

The type of Cancer that Shaquel has is called or referred to as Invasive or Infiltrating cancer. This type of cancer breaks through normal breast tissue barriers and invades surrounding areas such as nearby lymph nodes first. During her Surgery on Thursday of last week, the Doctor believes they were able to remove the cancer from the breast tissue and explored Lymph nodes and found that there was in fact cancer. They removed twenty or so Lymph nodes and have sent them off for further testing. We should have results by this Wednesday. :)

We do have reason to find peace and comfort in the many miracles that have taken place. If Shaquel never experienced the uncomfortable "pain" she was in, the doctors say that she could have gone another year without noticing any sign of cancer. She also was able to have the Best of the Best Cancer Doctors in all of Utah, Dr. Weintch is his name. Normally he has a five week waiting list just to get in to see him. In Shaquel's case, she has not only seen him but has had surgery within one weeks time.

Shaquel has kept her spirits high and hasn't lost her sense of humor. "Cancer Schmancer" is now her slogan.

Please keep her in your prayers.

We will post further updates as they come about.