Keri's Metastatic Breast Cancer Story: Finally, Oxycontin... and Returning Our Puppy to the Shelter

My name is Doug Haberstroh, and this is the story of my wife Keri, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 at the age of 25. Stay with me on this one SharePost; Keri introduces a lot in this e-mail to all our friends and loved ones.

She begins with how we had to give up our dog (Duke) for the betterment of Duke and us. She then describes her pain, relating to the cancer that has spread to her sacrum, and finally receiving the correct brand-name prescription as discussed in the prior SharePost on access to Oxycontin.

We are also informed of a new Chemo schedule and an extension of the treatments. It was a very tough time. I was about ready to leave for a five week training class and having to leave Keri home alone (with visiting friends and family). It was torture to have to leave her but she always made it so easy on me, she understood the military life, I couldn't have asked for a more loving, caring wife.

Subject: Bittersweet Update

Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2006 3:32 PM

Hello Everyone,

Well, I guess I'll start with the bitter part that way we can end on a sweet note. Doug and I had to make a very difficult decision and that was to take our dog and give him back to the animal shelter.

With everything that was becoming involved in taking care of me and my lack of energy and Doug being so busy at work with TDY's and upcoming moving we felt that it would be best for both the dog and us if he was given away. We were not taking care of him properly. We didn't have time to walk him or play with him much and he's a 10-month-old puppy who needs lots of that stuff. Therefore, we thought he would be better off with someone who could provide him with those things. We will attempt to get another dog when our lives are better prepared for having one and when I am not as sick as I am.

Now for the sweet part..we finally won the battle on getting my name brand medication. It took some time over this past weekend to transition from one med to the other, but now I am doing well with it. We have figured out the dosage and the time between each dose and I am getting much better sleep.

I also seem to have more energy at least in the afternoon to get out and do a couple of things before my body tires out. I am still tired, but that is due to the 5 chemo treatments that I have been through. This medicine is a great thing to have though so that I am not in so much pain. I have an appointment this Thursday with the doctor for just a check-up and I am hoping to find out when we will be doing another bone scan to check on the progress of the chemo and how many more chemo treatments I will be having to go through.

The doctors at one point wanted to send me to MD Anderson in Houston, but after receiving my records there, the doctors in Houston said they did not need to see me since I am following a good therapy schedule and have not failed it. So what we are doing here with my doctor is just what we can do.