test results are in

Juliann, whatever your mama's choice is I think your wise to respect her decision, although you may wish her to do treatment she sounds like a very wise woman with faith that sustains her decisions. Pat has given you some great info on the Cleveland Clinic, as always she has a ton of good advice...Ginger

Cleveland Clinic one of the first to use this technology....read further..

cms.clevelandclinic.org/cancer/body.cfm?id=668

Pat

Julieann,

I can totally appreciate your mothers desire not to get Chemo. Especially when she has witnessed other family members get it.

There may be another option for her with Radiation...Even with the effected Lymph node being so close to her heart. It is called IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy). It is a more exact radiation. They can actually treat cancer on the eyelid without affecting the eye! That is how precise it is.

You may want to research where in your state it is available. Not every Cancer Center has the machine.

Just a little more info,

.·:*¨¨*:·.Karen.·:*¨¨*:·.

Thanks Gene. I honestly don't know what I would do without this site and all the kind people here. Ultimately, i know everything will be ok. It is just hard to swallow right now, as you all know. Mama goes back on Tuesday to further discuss her options. Not sure if I mentioned that one node is close to her heart, so radiation is probably not an option. We had a long talk and she didn't say as much but I gather she is not real interested in the chemo. Not sure if I mentioned it before, but she has seen several siblings go through chemo. I'm hoping the doc can tell us some of the things to expect/watch for as time goes on. For now, we will just love her and be with her and pray for her. God could heal her if he wanted to, but i think he must really need another angel. Therefore, our prayers will be for no physical or emotional pain for her. That God will wrap His arms around her and protect her from hurt until it is time for Him to take her home.

Julieann and Susan,

Well I am so fortuneate to have talked Susan into sharing her story here as now she is helping Julieann. Faith can be a powerful thing and Julieann it seems your mom is blessed as it comforts her and sustains her. For you it will be difficult but get your strength from her as she seems to have it in abundance right now. The shock of what you've heard is probably still ringing in your ears, time will ease what has come upon you , you will accept it in your heart and cherish the time left with mama. Nothing I can say will help but know we are all here to help you through this. You mentioned to me you don't know what to expect, maybe other members can chime in to give you some idea but remember everyone is different in each case. I wish you peace and love for your family, be strong, Ginger

Anything is helpful. I just don't want to bombard you with questions, especially those that you'd rather noy discuss. Right now, Mama feels good and I am so thankful. I know it will be day by day and I can't dwell on what might happen. I have to live for the moment. The unknown is just a difficult thing. However, really, we are all living on the edge every day. Anything can happen. i guess that's where faith comes in. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you just talking with me. It means a lot just to be able to discuss it.