07/29/2023
In way of updating yesterday's stereotactic radiosurgery to my brain, I want to provide more information. I am in the very best of care with my team of physicians, Dr. Patel, radiation oncologist, Dr. McAllister, oncologist, and Dr. Voss, neurosurgeon. Fortunately, they are in Dothan, AL. They are monitoring my condition closely which is currently Stage IV Breast Cancer diagnosed 7/2019 with bone mets which I still have. It metastasized to my pancreas and I had stereotactic radiosurgery in 2020 which took care of the pancreas mets. Statistics gave me 1.5-2.5 years to live. (Dr. McAllister said I didn't read the book!) Gratefully, I have surpassed these expiration dates due to these wonderful caring physicians expertise and the ultimate physician 🙏 I have also done my part by drastically changing and adopting a plant based diet along with other things. I will remain on some type of cancer treatment for the remainder of my life.
Unfortunately, this is not my first rodeo! I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2002 at 52 yrs. old. I tested positive for the BRCA II gene mutation which I inherited from my mother and grandmother who died in their 50's from breast cancer. This gene put me at an 80% risk for breast cancer. My daughter , Lauralee Joyner Rotchford inherited the wicked gene from me and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 at 38 yrs old. Both of us, attempting to never see cancer again have had prophylactic bi-lateral mastectomy and a hysterectomy. Praying Lauralee never sees cancer again!! 🙏
Recently, an MRI of my brain showed brain mets.
Yesterday's procedure went very well to the .5mm of precision to the relatively small lesion in my brain, as planned and I feel fine. However, it will take 10 weeks for the radiation to do it's job. I will not know if the cancer shows no trace in the brain until late September.
We are playing The Whack-A-Mole game!! Dr. Patel says we are cherry picking these places where cancer rears its ugly head! Blessings 🙏
I ask that you please continue to keep me in your prayers. I want to express my appreciation for your love and continued prayers. You have no idea how meaningful the love and support you have expressed is to me. I treasure, love and value each and every friendship/relationship with you ALL, some of whom I have never met ❤️❤️❤️
