Update

Photo-Megan in Iraq next to a vehicle that she was working on. I wonder, how much of that dust did she inhale and injest? How much of that dust contained Depleted Uranium?

Today I was hoping for joyful news. Instead it held more angst.

After a few months I finally found out what kind of cancer she has. A rare type, found in 1% of all cancers. And, to boot, is rare under the age of 50-70. And 18% of this type of cancer is in the stomach. Leiomyosarcoma.

The mortality rate is very high in stomach cancer. Most of the times it depends upon the success of surgically removing it; even that is no guarantee. This cancer is in such a bad spot that even Sloan Kettering does not want to touch it.

Up to now the news was that the tumor was shrinking. After the PET scan however, it was found that yes, the tumor is shrinking, but the number of cancer cells still present after being bombarded with intense chemo, is higher than the doctor feels comfortable. And, there is a spot near her spine. Back to consult w/Sloan, and we see where we go from there. Though the tests show no metastisis to her lymphatic system, other tests point to it. NOTHING has been normal about all her illnesses since she returned from Iraq. NOTHING.

Kidney stones, blood work with results that mimic several diseases, ovarian cysts with pre-cancerous cells, ovarian cysts that burst. Unexplained severe pain, disintegrating cartiledge, and now stomach cancer in a 22 year old girl, who at 18, had a perfect bill of health.

I know ultimately that they hows don't matter. She must get better. She has a two year old that can't comprehend all of this. At 49, either do I. I just pray and hope for a miracle.

patti