Well, at least we have an answer. We are no longer stuck in limbo.
The results of the testing I mentioned in my last post on my wife's tumor came back... and unfortunately not with the results we'd hoped for. It turned out that her tumor was slightly more on the aggressive side... and that they best they could estimate was that if she did nothing more there is only a 60% chance she'll be cancer-free in 10 years.
She's only 43 years old... 10 years is not a long time.
... and 60% is not really a great percentage.
So after much discussion and research she begins a four-month round of chemotherapy tomorrow, which will then be followed by five years of a hormone therapy once the chemo is done in December.
In theory, the hell we are about to endure for the next few months plus the five years of daily Tamoxifen will together raise the chance of her remaining cancer-free to over 90% at the end of ten years.
90% vs 60% ... not hard to argue with those stats.
But of course the irony continues to be that she could be cancer-free right now... and won't need the hellacious drugs, fatigue, sickness, hair loss and other horrible side effects.
But we have no way of knowing...
And so it begins...
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Dan, this is sad news. It seems to me you're making the right decision, but acknowledge the short-term trouble it means for you both.
My wish is that this is just a bad memory in the rearview...
Posted by: Bob LeDrew | 09/25/2011 at 10:18 PM
Oh, Dan, I'm so sorry to hear it. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Posted by: Shel Holtz | 09/25/2011 at 10:19 PM
So sorry to hear this Dan. All me best to a speedy recovery and beating it.
Posted by: Davedelaney | 09/25/2011 at 10:21 PM
Bless you both. I would choose the path you're embarking on. My cousin is in her 3rd month of chemo against breast cancer. She's 37. The Sun will shine again for you one day soon.
Posted by: Clarence Jones | 09/25/2011 at 10:59 PM
Sad news, Dan, even if it may not have been wholly unexpected. Thoughts with you and your wife.
Your point re she could be cancer-free right now but there's no way of knowing is one that will resonate strongly with anyone who's going through this or similar. Look at it this way: what your wife will go through now is the absolute best that medical science currently knows. That is a comfort no matter how small it seems.
Clarence says it well: The sun will shine again for you.
Posted by: neville | 09/26/2011 at 05:47 AM