Heartbroken

I don't know how else to describe the last couple of days as anything other than heartbreaking. My sister Heather had a repeat scan last week since she completed her chemotherapy. At the last scan just a few months ago the tumors in her lungs had shrunk by 70%, but she was having questionable spots on her liver. Appartently that was the point where her body was no longer responding to the chemo. I guess i should say the tumors were no longer responding. In just three months, despite having weekly chemo, the tumors have grown. This is the first time we have not had a good response from chemo in this whole battle for the last two years. THe tumors in her lungs are now bigger than they were when they found them in march of this year only two months after she was deemed in remission. In addition, the spot on her liver was indeed cancer, as it has grown in size also since her last scan.

So now what?????? Well, surprise we are heading for our third round of chemo in less than 2 years. Add that to a couple of months of radiation and a double masectomy and you have quite a busy two years. Heather will already undergo treatment starting next week. THey will be using two different chemo agents that are platnin based such as cysplatnin etc. (for any of you out there familiar with chemo drugs). I am spear heading the get a second opinion team and realize that i will probably have to call the insurance company my self and get it approved and then sleep outside UCLA or USC's cancer centers until they let her in. But i am ready to do it. I just want to make sure that this is the right treatment for her and that she is getting the best treatment she can get.

Unfortunatley I have been working the last two days and only got a few minutes with heather yesterday on my way home from work. She seemed to be holding it together when i got to her house so i did not want to discuss the issue and upset her. However my parents said it was a really hard blow for her as she was expecting it to be smaller and hoping it was gone. I love my sister dearly and it is so painful to see her like this, but mostly my heart is breaking for her two children that i love more than anything in this world. And it is breaking for Heather as i cannot imagine what it would be like to go through this while worrying about the future of your children. Thank you to everyone who has kept her in your prayers and has asked about her and shown your concern. I really apprecaite such wonderful friends. MUCH LOVE!

And Heather if you are reading this, I love you and won't give up until you are cured