The Good Fight

Mark saw the surgeon who did the biopsy, Dr. Flynn, on Thursday. He is
still so sore in the area they did the biopsy and it's difficult for him to
sleep or be active at all. He is now on antibiotics to kill any infection
that may be in that area and has painkillers for the pain. Dr. Flynn said
that the radiation and chemo should shrink the lump and if there was too
much left after therapy, he would remove it but it is a very invasive, risky
surgery in the armpit area and it would be best to wait until after
chemo/radiation to remove it if necessary.
On Friday, we met with the radiation doctor, Dr. Canaday. He suggests 6
weeks of radiation and Dr. Aviles will be administering chemo during that
same period. Next week, Mark will go to Cape Cod Hospital to do the prep x-
ray, etc. for radiation. However, nothing will be done until we have gone
to Dana Farber for a second opinion.
All the local doctors are still scratching their heads, using the word "odd"
and have never seen a progression of skin cancer develop and spread into the
lymph system like this. They are very forthright in saying they are
baffled. Mark is enjoying being so unique and stumping everyone!!
We got the appointment at Dana Farber for August 16. Mark will meet with
two differnt specialists that day. All his records have been sent to them
so hopefully he will not need to go thru the battery of tests all over
again.
On the family front...Gary and Kristina LOVED Puerto Rico and had a
fantastic, but too brief, vacation there. We are so excited that Mike and
Steph are coming August 17-21 and we are hoping to get 7 tickets to a Red
Sox/Yankees game that weekend. Does anyone know how we could get them?
Kevin returned from Park City and will be home until about August 24 when he
will leave for UVM.
Thanks again for all the prayers, cards, e-mails and website viewings. Your
expressions of caring have been so heartfelt and meaningful and truly are
helping us through this seemingly endless "Diagnostic Period". They are
like ammunition in helping Mark keep up the fight!! We don't explect any
other news until after the visit to Dana Farber so check back August 17.

# posted by The Sheehan Family @ 12:38 PM