Today has been a busy day...I guess that's obvious by the fact that there are 2 posts today. Our appointment went well this afternoon. Bret had created a very long list of questions and I also had a few more. We talked in depth about the Oncotype dx test. He said that their results showed that I was just barely ER/PR+ which means that the tamoxifen might not give me the added protection that he had hoped meaning that if there were remaining cancer cells the tamoxifen might not be able to kill them and they might continue to split and grow in another area like my bones, liver or brain. He explained that more and more doctors are looking more at genetic make up of cancer cells compared to the past when they only looked at the size of the tumor. Being able to use these types of tests means that they are really looking at how those cells act and grow. He did say that he contacted other breast cancer specialists since my third opinion did not agree with him. He said after reviewing my case with them they did agree with the more agressive plan. He said he will continue to use my case at his tumor board meetings also.
The plan as it stands right now is that I will go to the hospital on Tuesday morning. I will have a MUGGA scan first which will check my heart. This is important because the first phase of chemo and the Herceptin are toxic to the heart. After I complete the test I will go to outpatient surgery to have a port placed in my chest. This will be left in all during treatment so I will not have to use IV's. I have tough veins to hit so I like this idea. If the test comes back okay I will have my first treatment the next week. I will have 4 months of chemo. This will be done every other week, the chemo is given one day and I go back the second day to receive a shot that will help to boost my white blood cell counts. Once I get through the 4 months I will then get weekly Herceptin injections for 12 months. This drug has some odd side effects but it is not chemo so my hair will start growing again and I should start to feel much better. I can also have the bi-lateral mastectomy done once I fully recover from the chemo treatments. I will also take the tamoxifen for five years after the chemo.
As the hours go by I am feeling more comfortable with this plan. I know that it will not be easy but I have no doubt now that we are using the most aggressive plan to fight this and if I would have a recurrence somewhere down the road I won't have any regrets because I will know that I did all that I could do. I actually even started looking at wigs online and know that I want a short, spunky cut. I plan to go next week and get my hair cut to a much shorter style since I should lose all my hair by Thanksgiving. I read somewhere that you should view your hair loss as a great sign that the chemo is working - I think that is a positive way to view it.
9 comments:
Yikes! That's some curve ball that was thrown to you yesterday!! I know it will be harder on you to start the chemo, but I'm glad you are doing the more aggressive treatment. Like you said, you will have no regrets or second guess yourself if god-forbid, it did come back (which it WON'T!!). I think of you every day! Keep your spirits high and you will get through these next 4 months! I love you! Linda
Jan - I hope you were able to rest last night. Sounds like your meeting with your doctor went well... I hope he was able to get all your questions answered. Like I told you yesterday, I think the selling point is the doctor saying if you were his wife, this is what he'd recommend. Trusting your doctor is great. Trusting God is better! With that combo - you're going to beat this!!!! Love you girl! I'll be checking in on you~! Sue
PS - the kids will be OK!!! I promise! They are stronger than you ever realize! Trust me!
Jan - What a day indeed!! Sounds like you have a great plan and a wonderful doctor. There is no doubt in my mind that you will beat this!! You are a very strong woman and have so many supporters. As for your children, they will be your rock and will be so strong for you. You keep your spirits up and keep having that positive attitude. You are amazing!! Love you - Shannon
Jan - Our thoughts and prayers are with you. As far as the kids, I think you will be suprised. They are stronger than you think! Stay positive! Stacey Brock
I have all the faith in you and your doctors and you know in your heart you've made the right decision. There's no looking back - only forward to a long and prosperous future. Your kids might be scared in the beginning, but what they will take away from this and keep with them forever is that there mom is strong and can stand up against anything. You will teach them more than you'll ever know. Love ya!!!!
Jan, You and your family are going through so much. I wanted you to know that you and your family are in my prayers. Just hang onto the Lord's coat tail and he will get you through this. Love ya, Barb Cummings
Jan,
We are praying for you and following your progress. We pray for strength for you and your kids and wisdom for the doctors taking care of you. Most of all, we pray for healing-complete. God bless! Carrie Saunders
Man, with a group of friends like you have here on this blog, you can't go wrong!! Keep listening to what we are all saying and you and your family will get through this.
Love you,
Kay
Hey Jan,
You are in my prayers. I want to share with you my mom's story. My mom who has stage 4 breast cancer had the same aggressive treatment. The port and then this drug. She had cancer in several places in her body. After several months of chemo every other week for several hours they did a PET scan and they couldn't find any cancer this time last year. They had to do surgery to find the they thought was a cell so they followed up with more chemo to make sure. So though it has come back again and she is on her 4th round and it is a year later what YOU need to know is that GOD is in control and PRAYER DOES change things my mom is a LIVING example of that. The cancer went from many places all over her body where she was considered in the last stages to one small area that from this last round had decreased by 50%. GOD is still in control of my mom's situation with all her losses this year and HE is in CONTROL of YOUR situation. Never give up and keep fighting always. Doctors can only do so much but it is your belief, determination and all the love & prayers that will see you through and allow GOD to work all the miracles and send down his blessings. I am praying for you and your family. I know it will be tough on you and some days tougher on your family but together it's already done total healing. Let me know if you need anything.
Many blessings
Tanika
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