The Journey Begins...

If you are checking this blog, you are aware that our mother, Patty Baker, was recently diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer. Mom had felt pain in her back and abdomen for a few weeks before she saw her doctor a little over a week ago. After X-rays, ultrasounds and a CT scan, we received news Friday before last that the doctors were able to see "masses" all over her liver. At that time, the doctors were relatively certain that these masses were cancerous, but their source was unknown. Mom went through many procedures last week to ascertain the source and, after undergoing a PET scan last Friday, February 22, Dr. Jim Cantrell was able to determine that Mom had breast cancer.

The PET scan revealed cancerous tissue in her left breast, in the lymph nodes under her left arm, in her liver and on portions of her lower back. While I'm sure no one wants to be told they have Stage IV Breast cancer, the diagnosis lifted all of our spirits, as we had all silently speculated that the masses may have been pancreatic cancer based on location and elimination of other possibilities.  That said, Mom has a difficult journey ahead and it begins today....

This morning, Mom will visit Dr. Cantrell before being admitted to St. Vincent's Hospital to stay overnight. During this time, she will receive her initial chemotherapy treatment. Dad and Will are with her. She is being kept overnight so that the doctors and nurses can more closely monitor her initial treatment and any potential nausea she may feel. Her treatment plan is still being finalized (and I'm assuming she is learning more about it at the doctor's office this morning) but as of Friday, we understand that she will receive chemotherapy in 3-week cycles (one dose every three weeks). After three cycles, the plan is to scan her again to see if the cancer is responding to the treatment. If so, the treatment will continue; if not, a new cocktail of drugs will be tried.

Mom is still in a lot of pain. Her liver is full of small tumors which are exerting pressure throughout the organ and abdomen. While painful for her, it is also an immediate medical concern as these tumors are affecting her liver function. An immediate prayer is that these tumors within her liver shrink quickly upon the administration of the chemotherapy so that her liver function will improve and her pain diminish.

The entire Baker Family wants to thank each of you for the care and love you have shown us during this time. We hope that you know how much your prayers, words & actions mean to each of us and how much they sustain us. We hope that this blog will serve as a means to provide you with updated information on Mom's journey to remission. Over the next several months, there will be times when Mom is not able to see or talk to people because of this disease and its treatment. During those times, we will do our best to keep this blog updated and to speak for her.

Meanwhile, today is the start of Mom's road to recovery. As each of you is undoubtedly aware, Mom is a fighter. Some of you may have even experienced her fighting ability firsthand!  ;-) We have no doubt that Mom will attack this challenge with the same fervor and tenacity that we have seen from her through the years. I'm often told that God only gives you what He knows you can handle.... which only illustrates His awareness of her amazing resiliency. House Fire? Pffft. Planning a wedding? No problem. Breast Cancer? Bring it on!! This cancer has NO IDEA what it's up against!

- The Baker Kids
(Brad, Sally & family; Will, Susannah & family; Mike, Laura & James; Sally & Patrick)