Update 1

Holly here!
For your first exciting update of mama Jo's cancer situation.

She went and met with the surgeon this morning, to see what path they would take.
The bad news, she has cancer.
The good news, it's the most common type of breast cancer! does that give you comfort? cause it sure as hell gave us comfort. The sort of bad news is that it has already traveled to at least one lymph node, but if you're going to have cancer, the most common type is preferable. eh?

Facts:

Her surgeon is the great Dr. Tittensor (yes) of American Fork.
Her plastic surgeon is Dr. Jensen also in AF. Dr T is very particular. We are grateful for her.

Tomorrow: she'll have an MRI of her chest, to see if the cancer has spread to the other side.

Next Friday:  She will have a mastectomy on either one side or both, depending on the outcome of the MRI, as well as reconstruction at the same time. They will also kindly put in her new friend called a Port, that is like a mondo semi-permanent IV to save her veins from Chemo assault. Ports are a blessing. ("I don't want to put up with fake boob bra's! I know myself, I won't wear them")

Chemo and radiation are going to be happening after the surgery

The cancer is not yet staged, they'll take care of that during the surgery.

She will not have a PET scan because she is not symptomatic of cancer anywhere else, plus $9000 and massive amounts of radiation are involved in a PET scan so no no no for now. (that scan would be to see if the cancer has metastasized, or spread to somewhere else in her body)

So for now, it is breast cancer we will wage a war with, thats it.

Fun Facts:

She did a very high-and-mighty mouth swish this morning, that "just about burned the shiz out of my tongue!" It's to test for the BRCA gene, a very unlikely positive outcome would mean that Emily, Jill and I would need to be watched VERY carefully starting now. Dr. T has done about 200 of those, and only had about 5 positives. so we're not worrying too much.

Angelina Jolie tested positive for that, which is why she had a double-mastectomy! I say good call Angie!!

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That's all for now! Thank you for your prayers and well-wishes.
We can feel the good vibes, and are grateful for the support we have.