Dear Friends and Family,
I have not had chemo in several weeks because my platelet and white blood cell counts have been severely low. My oncologist ordered a bone marrow biopsy, which I had on July 10. These tests take a while to come back with the full results. Today, I learned that my biopsy shows that I have bone marrow failure. It’s a condition called MDS cancer or Myelodysplastic Syndrome. It’s a condition caused by years of having been treated with chemotherapy. (I just celebrated 9 years on this cancer journey.)
The priority now is to focus on treating the bone cancer. Both the bone cancer and breast cancer cannot be treated at the same time because two different chemo therapies are involved. The problem that creates is that my breast cancer must be left untreated until my bone marrow is repaired. My breast cancer is metastatic but has been controlled with the chemo I’ve been on the last few years. The window of time between being on chemotherapy to restore my bone marrow and restarting my chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer can take three or more months. Unfortunately, this gives time for the breast cancer to metastasize to other places in my body. We pray that will not happen.
What do the next few months look like? I will begin treatment soon. I will take chemotherapy to restore my bone marrow for 7 days straight, then I will have 21 days to recover. This pattern of chemo will repeat for approximately 3 months. My bone marrow will be rechecked through another biopsy probably in mid October. If my body has built bone marrow (with platelet and white blood cell counts being normal) I can stop the chemotherapy for my bone marrow. At that point, I will be able to restart the chemotherapy that I have been on for my breast cancer.
How can you pray for me?
—that my body will respond well to the new treatment and build bone marrow
—that my platelet and white blood cell counts will return to normal
—that breast cancer will not spread to other regions
—my Mom’s health will stabilize during this stressful time for her (with Alzheimer’s)
—for the Lord’s grace, mercy, and peace in my life
—most importantly, that the Lord would be glorified
Thank you for being on this journey with me and praying. I know the Lord is using you greatly in my life.
Melissa
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