Joyce’s Story

Site created on December 13, 2017

Just a few weeks ago, they found a lump in Joyce's breast during a routine mammogram. The biopsy showed Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Joyce battled this disease in the same breast 10 years ago. This is considered a new primary since this is type Triple Negative, meaning it will not respond to hormonal treatment. Her previous cancer was Her-2 positive. Triple Negative is considered worse. It has been determined that this cancer has already spread to her other breast, bones and lungs, making it Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. She has a long battle ahead of her and we have to move fast. She has also undergone genetic testing and it was determined not to be genetic. We will use this site to update everyone as we go along. Please share your words of encouragement and prayers as we prepare to fight this battle with her. Thank you for your support. We love all of you.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Sarah Abu Zareefeh

Sorry for the late response everyone. Mom saw the oncologist on Friday and the bone biopsy confirmed that the breast cancer has spread. They couldn't get a sample from the lung. Her doctors have consulted with the specialists at MD Anderson and decided its best to do chemo and radiation to the bones before the mastectomy. In fact, the chemo might work well enough that she wouldn't even need a mastectomy. In any case, we have months to decide about that now. So she will not be having surgery tomorrow. They are placing the port tomorrow instead and she should get her first chemo on Friday. 

Also, at my doctor's suggestion, I have taken some time off work starting tomorrow. This way I can help Mom and Grandma any time they need me. I also just need the time to reset and get my Anxiety back under control. It has become unmanageable at this point. They have switched and upped my medication but that takes time to work. I will also be doing a new kind of therapy called EMDR. Its supposed to do wonders for Anxiety and PTSD, so I am hopeful about it. 

I will let you know how the port placement goes tomorrow. Thank you again for all your support, both for my mom and for me. 
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