Mom and Dad met with both her surgeon and oncologist this week.  I was able to listen in via phone.  After a lot of prayer and discussion she has made a change to her treatment plan.  Most everyone knows that since her first treatment she has not left the bed or sofa except for doctor appointments.  The initial unrelated kidney stone incident didn't help matters.  While each layer of treatment further reduces the risk of return, the prognosis with surgery alone is still a 66% cure rate with only a 25% return rate within 15 years.  Although she was HER2 positive the grade was T2N0 and stage 1.  That means that in this moment, with the lumpectomy alone, she is in remission and that there is no known cancer.  With all of this in mind, Mom will be stopping chemotherapy and will proceed with radiation.  She will follow radiation with an anti-estrogen hormone for 5 years since breast cancer can feed on estrogen.  Outside of some potential hot flashes and joint soreness similar to arthritis she anticipates feeling much better and returning to a manageable quality of life.  After radiation is complete she will continue to see her team of doctors and have follow ups every 6 months.  They will do a baseline mammogram at 1 year and once per year following.  They will also continue to do exams and will be very involved in monitoring her health.  We are grateful for options and doctors who are working thought the decisions with her and supporting the steps that she is taking.  Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much for everything you have done, calls, messages, texts, meals, prayers, thoughts.  They are each a blessing as are you.  God bless you all.  Cindy