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
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
-
Just a question that I have been pondering for sometime. I have been really thinking about the difference between being a "Christian...
-
This is my first time. I have recently been inspired to create a blog by a couple of my friends. It was appealing to me because they have us...
6 comments:
You could be the next Anna Nicole Smith if you were not a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
Father God,
I come before you and I plead the blood of Jesus over Brian, Alyson, and Brooks. I ask that you would overwhelm the entire Thrift family with a constant sense of peace. I thank you that Brian and Alyson both fervently call upon you, because of this I step out in faith and believe that you will heal Alyson and satisfy her with a long life that is fully devoted to you. Please O Lord, spare her life and take away every infected cell in her entire body. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
I am asking, claiming, and beleiving that you will rise up from this struggle and be an even more beautiful, wise, and stong woman of God. Love from Abilene,
Lauren Cunningham
I find myself praying for you constantly throughout the day. I know God will provide all you need in the way of knowledge, wisdom, peace, comfort, love, joy, victory!, etc. He's like that. He loves you more than all of us combined. So, the other day when Klint's email came out asking for prayer I had just looked up that scripture on biblegateway.com that I quoted in my prayer. I know that was specifically for you Aly. Psalm 44:3. You have experienced His victory in your life and He hasn't changed.
Father, Alyson did not conquer this disease once already with her sword; it was not her own strong arm that gave her victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped her, for you loved her. We ask you once again to shine on her and love her like only you can! Thank you, Father!
Alyson,
You are such an inspiration to all who know you. Please know that you, Brian and Brooks are in my prayers. I am only a phone call away if there is ANYTHING I can do.
Love you!
Becky
just know that all of us in abilene are praying for you guys and we know the decision will be tough but that God will guide you to make the right decision!! we love you guys.
Trish Mosley
Post a Comment