To My Extended Panther Family...

[Brad Barton]

I've had a couple people ask, so I'm going to post the news here and a few other places...

My wife has had a cough and a sore shoulder for several weeks. Over the last few days, we have finally discovered why.

She has a mass in her chest. We do not know what it is at this point, but all signs are good that if it is a cancer of some sort, that it has not spread anywhere. It is fairly large, nearing 7 inches long, and is located behind the sternum, between rib cage and lungs, and above the heart. It does not appear to be attached to anything, but even if it is not cancer, it still has to be removed since it is putting pressure on the windpipe, esophagus, and heart. We are probably doing a biopsy first thing next week, so we will know more after that.

We have a website where you can follow along.. you will have to be approved, just mention that you are part of the Panther family in the comments: http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/612160/

There are still some unanswered questions and tests to be run, but at this point, there is more good news than bad news. Yes, she will have to have surgery to remove it.. but it is not a "we have to get you to the emergency room and get this out of you NOW" situation. The doctor today said that he could see no current reason why he wouldn't expect her to recover from this and go on to lead a long, healthy life.

I am not one to ask for prayers.. but I won't refuse them. I will do my best to keep up with personal messages, but please do not be offended if I do not respond right away.. between our individual professional networks, the charity organization we volunteer with, and extended friends such as you, we literally have hundreds, if not more than a thousand people to keep up to date.

[Brad Barton]

I know I haven't updated lately.. but here we are 2 months and 4 chemo treatments later. She was technically stage 3A .. multiple lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm involved, but no organs and no bone marrow involvement. Still, prognosis was good, so we started in....

After 3 rounds, we had a new set of scans done and everything except the original, large tumor has cleared up... and the large tumor is half the size it started back in March. This is about the best news we could have hoped for other than "its gone completely."

She has had one more chemo round since that scan.. and we are looking at 2 more before another scan... but at this time, it appears to be working. She feels WAY better than she did back in March... only the chemo symptoms are kicking her butt now.. and those are manageable knowing they won't last.

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes.. I'm sure it helps. :)

[Jo Anne Driscoll Lester]

Ganbatte, to you and your wife. Our thoughts & prayers are w/ you & your family to get through this TOGETHER.

[Beth Hohenthal (Thigith)]

That is great to hear and I know this is a hard time for all of you, but you will pull through!!

[Brad Barton]

We still have two more tests to run before we know stage and before we can begin chemo.. but it looks like they will not have to operate. They are sure they can get it all with chemo treatments. We'll know everything about stage and chemo schedule by Wednesday, it looks like.

[Beth Hohenthal (Thigith)]

I am really sorry to hear about your wife. I will be thinking about you and please let us know how things are going.

[Frank Torres]

Brad,

I'm so sorry to hear about that. I will pray for your wife and your family.

Frank

[Mae (Gumboc - 87)]

Hi Brad, definitely add me to the number of Panthers praying for your wife!

[DeeDee Ryoko (McDill) Shimoda]

Brad,
Your wife will be in my prayers...remain positive and strong! Positive mindset is a powerful thing and can change the course of everything in the right direction!! Dee ;)))

[Brad Barton]

Thanks y'all.

We have confirmed today that it is Lymphoma.. I will do a more full update after we meet with oncology.

[Carrie (Davidson) Jolicoeur]

Brad - I'll be praying for you and your family.