Team Tina

God is so good to me. So very good. Everyday He is using His people to bless me and lift me up and I am so grateful. I know I have said this many times, but it is always what is in my heart and at the top of my mind, so I will probably mention it again and again. I am just so thankful for God’s people.

The doctors in Conway have been wonderful to me. We are fortunate to have such an expert team of doctors in our community and the care I received from them was exemplary. However, upon confirmation of my diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, we decided to seek treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX.
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Wow.

You guys!

I am overwhelmed (in a good way) by all of the love shown to my family and me over the last few days. Every call, text, email, message, and card has been filled with prayers, scriptures, and encouragement. Mere words cannot begin to convey the hope that fills my soul when you sweet people reach out to me with such love. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart. Team Tina Rocks!
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I’ve got some very good news for you today prayer warriors! First of all, my PET scan came back clear. This is HUGE! It means the cancer has not spread and this will greatly affect my prognosis and subsequent treatment.

Also, MD Anderson confirmed my appointment for next week! It is Wednesday, September 3rd at 7:00 a.m. Once my diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer was confirmed, they wasted no time getting me into their world-renowned IBC clinic. They only treat 100 patients a year with IBC, and I feel confident that I will receive excellent care there.

We will be leaving Tuesday morning and have been told that we will need to be there 5-7 days for this initial appointment. Patrick’s parents, Jerry and Carol MacNamara, have graciously offered to stay with the kids while we are in Houston. Please remember to pray for them and the kids, as well as Patrick and me this week. I know they’re going to be in good hands and they are excited to get to be with their Papa and Grammy, but I am going to miss them so very much next week.
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Today I had outpatient surgery to insert my port. Ouch. My bandages look weird and they’re really bothering me. And they’re very visible, right on the front of my neck and chest. I guess one reason they’re bothering me is because it is such an obvious physical reminder that this is all about to get very real. And also, it hurts. I need to get over that and toughen up I suppose.

We received a few additional details about the pathology report this afternoon. We knew I had grade 3 cancer, which is the most aggressive and fastest growing. In addition, today we learned that the type of cancer I have is called Inflammatory Breast Cancer. It’s very rare and only accounts for 1-4% of all breast cancers. In fact, it is so rare, that a few of my doctors have never actually seen anyone who has it.
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Last night I told my children that I have breast cancer. Not a conversation I ever imagined I would have with these amazing kids of mine. God was gracious and His peace flooded our home. The conversations went as wonderfully as something like that could go, and they responded exactly as I thought they would.

Maddie was quiet. She is a processor. She takes time to process information, good or bad, so we don’t get a lot of strong initial reactions from her. I actually love this about her, as it shows a maturity and depth that I never had at her age. As I told her about our new reality a few tears slipped down her cheek, but her eyes never left mine. She spent the rest of the night following me around like a shadow. It’s the way she shows love and it made my heart smile. That kid is a leader and a warrior. She’ll be fine.
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