Got some good and some perhaps not yet good news on my sister

[Siwsan]

She is in her 4th round of cancer that started in her breasts. She's had a double mastectomy, hysterectomy and oophorectomy, but then the cancer spread to the nerve sheath at her spine, and there was some mets to her lungs. The good news is, the cervical tumor has shrunk and I'm praying she gets some of her mobility back. And the lung tumors have stabelized. The only less encouraging news is that the spots on her femur and pelvis have grown so they will try a new oral chemo and do another PET scan, in 3 months. Despite all of this, her bloodwork looks great.

So my biggest fear of losing my sister, in the far too near future, seems to have been calmed. Now, fingers crossed that this new chemo squashes those "bugs", as she refers to the "spots".

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I'm holding a very good thought for your beloved sister, my dear Siwsan!

[Siwsan]

2. Thank you!

I've been though this with my father and spent the last weeks of his life with him, in Hospice, so I know what's possibly ahead. But we can always hope for a long, long, LONG term remission. She has an incredible attitude and very positive spirit, which can only work to her benefit.

[sinkingfeeling]

3. Hoping for the best for you and your sister.

[Irishonly]

4. I hope the new chemo works wonders.

I will keep a candle lit for her. I will be praying with you. I am so glad her blood work looks great. Please keep us posted.

[Siwsan]

5. The cervical spine tumor had pretty much paralized her left side, but there's improvement, now

She actually lifted her left foot, as a reflex, when her home health nurse came to check her foot. She was so surprised. And, there's much more strength in her left arm. We had to laugh because she was complaining her big toe hurt, and her nurse said, "Well, on the bright side, you can FEEL that it hurts!"

We know she will probably never have a full recovery, but every little inch of progress is so amazing.

[Irishonly]

6. It is amazing

Your sister is an amazing woman. I hope she continues to gain more strenght. It's great to hear a little happy news.

[shrike]

7. FWIW, metastic breast cancer patients often live for years

A good place to get information, if you want any, is breastcancer.org. Go to the Stage IV section; ladies there have been living with mets for years. They can give you words of encouragement and support.

[Siwsan]

8. Thanks!

I think the hardest thing for her to deal with, right now, is her lack of mobility and almost total loss of independence. None of us will give up hope that she will recover more strength. She is blessed with an amazingly wonderful and supportive husband, and they have not lost their sense of humor, that's for sure.