Hair? We don't need no hair!

Don't misunderstand, losing your hair is terrible. 

But this time around, there are bigger demons to conquer. 

This time around, every hair that falls represents another cell that is dead - hair cell, cancer cell. It means the chemo is working (and after only one treatment). 

So with that in mind, fall hair fall!

When it started looking rough, family helped to rid her of the last strands (see full photo-shoot here). It's a good thing Tammi is so pretty. 

Hair?! We don't need no hair!

What is Metastatic Breast Cancer?

13 Facts about Metastatic Breast Cancer

1. Metastasis occurs when cancerous cells travel to a vital organ.

2. Metastasis refers to the spread of cancer to different parts of the body, typically the bones, liver, lungs and brain.

3. An estimated 155,000 Americans are currently living with metastatic breast cancer.(also called Stage IV breast cancer) Metastatic breast cancer accounts for approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the U.S.

4. Treatment for metastatic breast cancer is lifelong and focuses on control of the disease and quality of life.

5. About 6% of people are Stage IV from their initial diagnosis.

6. Early detection does not guarantee a cure. Metastatic breast cancer can occur 5, 10 or 15 years after a person's original diagnosis and successful treatment checkups and annual mammograms.

7. 20% to 30% of people initially diagnosed with early stage disease will develop metastatic breast cancer.

8. Young people, as well as men, can be diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

9. Like early stage breast cancer, there are different types of metastatic breast cancer.

10. Treatment choices are guided by breast cancer type, location and extent of metastasis in the body, previous treatments and other factors.

11. Metastatic breast cancer is not an automatic death sentence. Although most people will ultimately die of their disease, they will still live for many years.

12. There are no definitive prognostic statistics for metastatic breast cancer. Every patient and their disease is unique.

13. To learn more about National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day on October 13 and to access resources specifically for people living with metastatic breast cancer and their caregivers, visit www.mbcn.org.

Chemo AKA God's magical potion

We love chemo. Which is weird, because during Tammi's first fight in 2009 we thought chemo was the devil. Then, mom didn't feel sick. Only the chemo made her feel sick.

But this time around, it's a whole different story.

This time around, mom can feel these cancer cells surrounding her abdomen, producing fluid that is choking her lungs and kidneys, even breaking her bones. This time around, the power of the cancer is evident. And so, the power of the chemo will be most welcomed. 

We are grateful for such strange and beautiful drugs like chemotherapy, and all the brilliant minds that created them, with God's help.

Work, chemo work! 

Diagnosis

Tammi's officially diagnosis is:

Metastatic (also called Stage IV) Breast Cancer with metastases to her bones, chest wall, and abdomen. There were early indications that it may also be in her liver or lungs, but both of those have since been ruled out. To be really sure, an extra MRI of her brain was done to ensure there was no cancer, and the scan was clean (she does have a brain though, dad was worried ...). 

Tests Tests Tests

The hardest part of a cancer diagnosis must be in those initial days/weeks, when everyone is talking about the "spots," but no one can say yet where they all are, how bad they are, how advanced it all is.

And so there are tests. And none of them are pleasant. But all of them are miraculous.

So Tammi had another CT Scan, while in the biopsy room, to make sure the doctor could take the sample from the right place. And then she had more blood drawn, so much blood drawn. And finally a PET Scan. 

The thing about Tammi is, she's special. The cancer markers in her blood are very high, so they know the cancer is there. They can see fractures in her ribs and vertebrae, that indicate the cancer in her bones is weakening them to the point of fracture. A biopsy of her abdomen shows, without a doubt, cancer cells. 

But her PET Scan doesn't show much at all. Mom is so special, the greatest diagnostic tool of our day is stumped. Which really just means, there will be lots more tests as we walk this road, searching for those hiding cells, in hopes there are fewer as we travel.

Cancer, Caught.

On January 1st 2016, Tammi disembarked the train from Kansas City. Buff picked her up and they headed straight for the Emergency Room at St. Mary's in Galesburg because she was having so much trouble breathing. (Some other things happened that led her to being in the ER instead of prompt care, and to going at all, see those in the "mercy" section.)

Through a quick X-Ray they could see there was a lot going on. She had fluid built up around her lungs, called a pleural effusion, a common sign that tells doctors to keep looking.

They did a quick CT Scan, and found "spots" immediately, telltale signs that cancer had returned, showing up in her abdomen and bones. 

She was admitted to the hospital so they could treat her lungs, with an appointment to follow up with her oncologist. 

2016 didn't begin well. But knowing, catching the cancer, is part of the battle. We're grateful it was caught.