From Alyson-Surgeon Update

Hello to everyone- I just wanted to send everyone an update from our visit with the surgeon at William Beaumont Royal Oak yesterday. It went very well. Both Brian and my mom were with me and we all really liked this surgeon. She was very thorough and spent a great deal of time with us going through my options and answering each and every question that we had (and we had several). She was very laid back which was nice.
The 3 options I have from a surgical standpoint are lumpectomy plus radiation, single mastectomy or double mastectomy. Each option would include additional removal of lymph nodes in the left arm to make sure the cancer has not spread to the nodes. If I opt for lumpectomy plus radiation, there is risk of the radiation potentially causing a new primary cancer to occur 20 years down the road and there is also risk to heart damage since the radiation will be on the left side of my chest. If I opt for a mastectomy, I wouldn't have to do radiation but I would then have additional decisions to make in terms of reconstruction. The surgeon would like me to take the next 2-3 weeks to gather as much information as I need to make my decision and then do whichever surgery I choose within the next month. This would include meeting with a radiation oncologist to get more info regarding the option to have a lumpectomy followed by radiation and to meet with a plastic surgeon to discuss the mastectomy options. I am also meeting with a genetic counselor this Thursday to discuss the genetic aspects of breast cancer and to be tested for a particular gene mutation that they believe is linked in some way to breast cancer (this is just a simple blood test). They will use this information to counsel me further in my treatment plans and especially regarding the risk of ovarian cancer and how to prevent it if I'm a carrier of this gene mutation.
So, that is where we are at this point. We'll be making our decisions over the next couple weeks as we meet with additional doctors.
Thanks for your continued prayers. We'll continue to keep you posted!!
Alyson Thrift

Alyson update

We met with a new Oncologist yesterday from William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak Michigan. We sat and talked with the doctor for what seemed hours and hours. Our next step is to have the lump removed to do all of the pathology done on the tumor. Once the tumor has been staged, graded, etc., we will determine our next step of treatment. It looks like it will most definitely include chemotherapy, and possible radiation or mastectomy. We are in the process of finding an appointment with a breast surgeon at the same hospital.

As usual, Alyson's spirits are good and strong. She is prepared for what ever is going to come her way. She is so awesome. As for Brooks and myself we are doing fine too. We are just going to spend all of our time loving on "mommy".

We will keep you updated as we get more news. Thank you all for your continued prayers. Alyson and I are amazed at the love that has been shown to us by your prayers and comforting words. We love you all very much.

Since Alyson has found out that her cancer is back, she has been in Utah visiting her sister as she prepares for her wedding in May. Alyson will get back today and then on the 16th we will begin with the doctor's visits. Please pray for us as we begin this journey. I am asking God for courage, strength, and wisdom for everybody involved (including Doctor's). I ask that you pray for those things for Alyson and I.

I am not sure what is going to happen, because we are going to look for some new doctors as we are not comfortable with our current doctor. We are going to look into the doctor's at William Beaumont and Detroit Henry Ford Hospitals.

Needless to say I am anxious and nervous about the coming weeks and months for Alyson. My hope is that this will all be as painless as possible. I will keep you all updated as we find new things out as far as treatment options go.

Thank you in advance for your prayers. God Bless.

We found out yesturday that Alyson's cancer has come back in the same breast as last time. She had gone in for a routine breast MRI about two weeks ago and they called us and told us that they had found a spot that they wanted to investigate further. At first, Aly and I just blew it off as scar tissue showing up, because that is what it usually is when she gets things checked out. It was a Tuesday that they found the lump, and as I said we just blew it off, but then on Saturday Aly did a self exam and found the lump herself. I think she knew right away that things were not good, because the lump she felt this time was not there before. To her it felt the same as when we discovered the other lump about 1 1/2 years ago.

At this point we are starting from square one with regards to treatment. We have a doctor's appointment of Febuary 16 and we will figure things out. I am really asking for prayer from anybody who may read my blog. I will keep all of you updated through this blog.

I was thinking last night that I could really use my Texas small group. You all are such prayer champions and Alyson, Brooks and I could really use your prayers as we figure out what we are going to do. The good thing is that I think we have again discovered it early, and this time we are surrounded by our wonderful families for even more support. We thank you in advance for your prayers.

ALYSON WILL BEAT THIS THING AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!