This train is a-moving...

UPDATE: Sorry I screwed up the formatting on this post. Ignore the bars on the sides of the text--it's not your computer.

[Begin original post]

Well, we met mom's surgeon, the famed Dr. Buckner (my bosses inform me he's a past winner of 417 Magazine's Top Docs award...so there's that), and we couldn't be more impressed. No-nonsense, but extremely reassuring, he made us all feel better about this journey. Here's what the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce had to say about Dr. Buckner on its website. Don't confused: He was in Iraq when this appeared--and will be returning to Iraq in a few months.

"Dr. John W. (Bucky) Buckner, a CoxHealth surgeon now serving in Iraq with the U.S. Army. Dr. Buckner is known for bringing improved cancer diagnostic techniques to the Springfield community. Since early 2005, Dr. Buckner has been part of a forward surgical team in Baghdad where he is serving as a major in the U.S. Army reserves."

Seriously. Dude goes to IRAQ. AND he ran the Boston Marathon. Mom is going to be operated on by Superman.

The big news: The action will begin on Friday, when mom has her lumpectomy, which is the first and most important step for two reasons: 1. It's gets what's left of the tumor out of her body and 2. What they find around the tumor and in the neighboring sentinel cells (basically a lymph system test) will tell us if the cancer has spread. Doc says all indications are it HAS NOT.

If that's the case, mom will begin radiation. Here's where things get exciting. Can I use that word in relation to breast cancer? Maybe. Dr. Buckner is one of a few local doctors who offers the MammoSite treatment. That's where, instead of a external ray of radiation beamed into the breast, a balloon is placed inside the cavity where the tumor used to be. Then small radioactive beads are placed inside the balloon, treating the surrounding cells from the inside out. Side effects are fewer and less pronounced, treatment time arrives sooner and is shorter in duration. The official website is here, with more information than I could ever conceivably explain.

Of course, the lumpectomy and lymph test has to come back clean (we'll know sometime next week), but having this new-ish but very very successful new technology at her fingertips is something mom is excited about--and so are we.

Finally, a word about the blog. Thank you to all who have left posts: old friends, family, friends we see every day, friends we haven't seen in years, people we've never seen at all. It's all so appreciated, and no doubt has helped fuel the successes we've had already. Also, feel free to start leaving comments on this post--no need to scroll all the way to the bottom unless we're going for some kind of record (which is fine by me).

ML

Help is out there

Hey everyone. Sorry for the depth and length of the first post. It pretty much violated very rule of good blogging that I've learned in my journalism career, but I thought the full picture was important.

As you see, I was able to add a photo! It's not the best picture (smile dad, sheesh!) or, from Christmas 2005, the most recent, either. But it's all I had on my computer. More to come.

Thank you (from Susan as well, if you haven't read through all the comments, hers is about halfway down) for your wishes and participation so far. I know the community will continue to grow. It's quickly become clear to me that this will be place for everyone to share their experiences with cancer--as well as their support for mom--and that's perfect. I'll try to keep the content fresh, interesting and, ahem, brief when possible.

On to the useful portion of today's post: There are lots of businesses and local organizations that raise money and awareness of breast cancer, including:

The Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks: BCFO was founded by Mary Beth O'Reilly here in Springfield, and is one of the Ozarks most successful local charities. You can read their website, which is flush with support groups, interesting links and fundraising opportunities, at bcfo.org.

Cancer101 is a not-f0r-profit I came across in the latest issue of New York magazine. It's got all sorts of helpful tips and, while not a local group, has some big-time sponsorship clout. Boo-yeah!

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is, of course, the most well-known cancer fundraiser. Susan has participated in this for years (her mother is a survivor) and now has extra reason to walk some laps. One Central High School Relay team, made up of Nichole's students, has already adopted her as their "name." More on this as details emerge. Those kids, they love their Mrs. Lemmons!

For those into viral networking (it's not as dirty as it sounds), there's a Facebook group already formed in support of Susan (those Central kids again:-) You'll have to search for it, but those of you who know how will find it, I'm sure.

Kaldi's Coffeehouse in Springfield (900 E. Battlefield Rd., 417-881-5466) sells bags of coffee and mugs that benefit breast cancer research (as evidence by the pink ribbons...at least I think it's not for Valentine's Day). Either way, the coffee is delish.

That's all for now. If any of you know other groups or places to support breast cancer research, do let me know by commenting below. I'd love to get those groups active in this blog, at least as commenters/guest contributors.

And, as always, notes of support for Susan can be left as comments, as well. I'm also interested in your personal stories--everyone has been touched by this disease (the boobie kind or otherwise), and this is a place to share. If you would rather send me an e-mail than leave a comment, just send it to matthew.lemmon@gmail.com.

Love to all!

ML