You can find out about our nonprofit we created in her name - and follow the progress there by clicking the link below for Keesha Warrior Priness. Our worse fears have become a reality.... Our daughter, Keesha was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer.... She is 30 years old and if there is one word that people use to describe her over and over it is "sweet." We have many thoughts running through our heads - fear, hope, sadness, faith, numbness, anger, and more...
We covet your prayers and know our friends and family will gladly share our path toward remission...
Usually people want to know the back-story - so here it is:
For a week or so Keesha was sick with what we assumed was stomach flu (when you work at a daycare it goes with the job)... On Wednesday night (11/20/13) she was having pain in her back and her arm so bad that her mom, Susan, took her to the emergency room. They first thought it might be her heart and then gallbladder. I was in San Francisco at a conference so Susan kept me informed though-out the night (it was too late for a flight home). Once they ruled out the gallbladder, they did a CT and came back to Susan and Keesha and told them that they found a mass in her breast and several spots on her lungs and that she should see an oncologist immediately. The call from Susan at was one of the most devastating calls of my life (and reminded me of 2008 when Susan called to say Kevin was in the Union/Jackson tornado). I was able to catch a 6am flight on Thursday morning and arrived in Memphis about 2pm. We immediately went to West Clinic for the visit with the Oncologist. We were able to get the same doctor (Lee Swartzburg) that treated Susan in 2001. He is one the top breast cancer doctors in the US. Keesha's sweet aunt, Sharon, works for a group of heart doctors in Memphis and they were able to set-up the appointment. The doctor checked Keesha and did a biopsy of her breast. He gave her meds for her back and said he would know more on Monday. He indicated that the diagnosis was bad - and we should prepare for a possible diagnosis of breast cancer. He used a word that was very important - he said, "this is treatable..." On Friday we went back to West Clinic for a CT and an MRI of her head. Unexpectedly, the doctor's assistant called us back into the room to tell us even more bad news. She said that she was 99% sure that Keesha has stage-4 breast cancer. She said that there are spots in her lungs, liver, breast and three bone areas (hips, back and skull). She explained that it is not in her brain but in the bone in her skull. We also talked about the future and she used the same word, "treatable" but she also said that due to the advanced stages that it is not curable (more on that later). Keesha also had to endure a procedure to remove fluid on her lungs (ouch!) (actually when I read this to Keesha before posting, she said Triple OUCH!)
The afternoon was better. As the doctor told Keesha today, "right now just focus on Monday's visit... that is your mission... focus on Monday!" On Monday we are scheduled to gather results from the biopsy and find the exact type cancer and the specifics for treatment. At this point, the first steps will be chemotherapy. The doctor said, "on Monday or Tuesday we will through everything we have at the cancer - including the kitchen-sink.... and then re-test in a week - and if that does not work we will change course. We are going to do everything we can to push this cancer into remission..." Throughout this week we have had several conversations about "why?" "how could God let this happen?" "is it OK to be angry with God?" We are at a loss - but I plan to explore those thoughts in the future....
Thank you for your prayers... as we start down this insane path....
