Radiologist added to Toni's Xmas Card List

Toni visited with "her" radiologist. As you might know, Toni's initial schedule was 13 weeks of chemo, 6 weeks of radiation, and then 13 weeks of chemo. In a strategic move and a stroke of luck, Toni will be under the care of the Radiology Department Chair for Evergreen Hospital. She thoroughly enjoyed her visit with him. Statistically, Evergreen has a 98% cure rate. So read that as a 2% re-occurance rate. On average across the country, other hospitals top out at a 60% rate (read as 40% re-occurance rate).

In his dialogue with Toni, Dr. Hunter explained the risks factors that may have caused the cancer. Latitude was one risk factor. The further south you are of Colorado, you get more Vitamin D (less chance of breast cancer). It all has to do with the angle of the sun's rays and Vitamin D. Or the lack thereof. Another factor... no kids before 29 (disclaimer: I could not have helped with that, at least then), and a list of others that may have contributed as well.

So, Toni does have a rather aggressive type of cancer. It is possible that it started about 10 to 15 years ago and began to duplicate. The reason the cancer grew fast and became a surprise was the doubling of the cells. Think geometric. 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, etc.... in 10 or 15 years you have a bunch... or at least 2.3 cm worth. Good news was it was Estrogen + and HER2-. If it was the other way around... it would be very bad. Much harder to treat and the prognosis would have been 50/50 for the 5 year outlook.

He is ok with Toni doing a combination of chemo and radiation at the same time. This would mean she could be starting radiation within two months. If the sandwich method mentioned above would continue to be the course Toni is on, it would be 13 weeks chemo, a 2 week break, 7 weeks of radiation and then 13 weeks of chemo. Yet combining, all would be done in 26 weeks or less. Dr. Hunter's prognosis of Toni's cancer was "you might be cured as you sit." So, Toni left Dr. Hunter and promptly added him to her will and the Christmas card list.

Tomorrow is #6.... and we are counting down.