My team

I have such an incredible team of doctors:

Dr. Joyce O’Shaughnessy - My oncologist. Her training and experience reads like fiction...it is so incredible. She is Co-Director of the Breast Cancer Research Program at Baylor - Charles A Sammons Cancer Center. She graduated cum laude from Yale University Medical School. Her internship, residency and fellowship were all at amazing places. And now she is my doctor. I am so proud.

Dr. Michael Grant - My breast surgeon. His credentials are equally impressive. To read all his extracurricular activities outside his practice you would think he is superman.....pages and pages of work in clinical trials and involvement in research specific to breast cancer. He also donates time to those without the financial means to get treatment. His dedication to the field of breast diseases and breast cancer prevention is phenomenal. Again, I am so proud!

Dr. William Carpenter - My reconstruction surgeon, should I decide to go that route (it is all very daunting but I will explain that later). He will work with Dr. Grant closely. I have not developed a relationship with him like I have my other 2 doctors. Mostly Dr. Carpenter looks at me like I am a bug under a glass. LOL Seriously, he is dry but kind and VERY, very talented.

I am heading to another appointment with Dr. Grant today. Since I am responding so incredibly well to treatment I want to see if any of my options have changed regarding surgery. Who knows. Anyway, I am sure he will order another MRI or other tests to confirm what I know is true. The tumor is gone...or almost gone. I am sure of it. And in my whole being, I attribute it to God and the clinical trial drug...in that order.

I know it is God's work that I am getting better, just like it would be His work if I were not. Admittedly it is much easier to have peace since I am doing so well. More than once in this process I have had to repeat over and over "Thy will be done". It is His hand in everything...the clinical trial, the drugs, the doctor's skill, my progress, my peaceful state, my energy, my children's wellness, all of you...even Oddie not pooping in the house anymore. :-) My cancer was all a part of His plan and I know that. I am not one to sit back and pray and wait for things to happen for me or to me. I am more of a do-er. That is how God made me...how he wired me. I pray all the time but I do it while I am using the gifts God gave me: my strength, my curiosity, my energy, my impatience, my enthusiasm. Thank you, God.

Every once in a while I will feel a dark cloud...or a shadow...pass over my heart and my optimism. And I will hear cancer whisper "I am still here". I do not not whisper back. I shout "NOT FOR LONG!".

I will let you know what I find out today.

xoxo