Anwers from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance - 2nd Opinon

The day after Christmas mom had an appointment at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. It is a cancer center in Seattle that is known around the world. The doctors there are very knowledgeable and caring. We had great service from setting up the appointment to our greeting at the center. The appointment was at 11:00 am and we had to register an hour before. We left at about 4 am for Seattle and made good time. We only had to stop for one potty break and thankfully it was at a rest stop and not on the side of the road (mom was worried about her tummy on the way). Anyway... we got their safe, got a bite to eat and registered. Our (mom, dad and Me) appointment was with Dr. Laurie Carr, a medical oncology specialist in lung, neck and head cancer. She was pretty young, cute and super nice. A real sweet heart I thought. She came in a did a overview of the information. They view it and look at the scans before the appointment. We verified information and compared notes to give her the whole picture, asked a few questions we had concerns with; she we get mom a port, what about possible breast tumor, etc. She took about an 1hr and 1/2 with us. She said that she was encouraged with the fact that mom seemed to be responding to the chemo treatment so far. Less pain and discomfort in her chest and so on. We asked her to be straight with us and upfront and that we wanted the truth. About her hair falling out, Dr. Carr said at the dose of mom's chemo and the combination of the drugs taxol and carboplatin that she has never seen someone not lose their hair. Usually just before the 2nd round starts. Mom was upset but was glad that she had an answer. The nurses in Kennewick kept saying, "You never know, everyone is different and some do, some don't. " I think she was holding on to that hope but Dr. Carr is certain it will go. Sooooo.... we are preparing for that stage. One step at a time. We asked her about staging and about the chemo treatment lasting 6 months, how long everything takes and what to expect. We were not prepared for our answer. The initial pre-chemo appointment with the oncologist here in Kennewick was cut short and we had a lot of unanswered questions and lack of knowledge with what we were dealing with. At one point we were told that the tumor would melt away and we were under the impression that after 6 rounds of chemo we would be good to go. Dr. Carr said that she recommended only doing 4 rounds, see how mom feels and take a break. When the symptoms from the chemo become more of a pain and hassle then the cancer itself you need to re-evaluate the situation. It is more important to take the time you have to do something you enjoy then be doing chemo, be miserable and at home in your bed for the rest of the time. Mom has always said that if she ever got sick and had to do chemo that she didn't want to do it. She didn't want to be sick and miserable and not be able to spend her time doing something fun. She wants to fish and quilt and go on a few trips. However, she is responding well to the treatment so far, so she is going to go ahead and do 4 rounds and see where she is at that time. We were told that she will not be able to beat it. She is at stage 4 at this point and that her chemo will eventually stop working. The cancer cells get sort of immune to the drugs so you can either try a different line or do a round then take off for vacation while you feel good. It is up to you. Mom wants to take it one step at a time and see how she feels before she makes a definite plan. Dr. Carr said that with the stage and type of cancer mom has that we should probably expect about one more year with her. It's hard for me to even think like that right now, but I guess I need to be strong and believe that the Lord knows what is best and has plans for her in heaven. It is in his hands now. My dad keeps saying that she can go early because she is more perfect than us. We have to let her go because the Lord has more important work for her to do. We love her so much and don't want her to go but we know that it will be alright. It will be hard but we just have to remember we will be with her again. The knowledge of the gospel is such a comfort. Please continue to pray in her behalf and for help so she may have the strength to stay with us a little longer. Thank You,

Melanie!