I hardly know where to begin; but, yes, it was a year ago tomorrow that I was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer. Even now, it sometimes seems unreal.......like something I dreamed. It's true what they say..........you never think it will happen to you. Maybe later in life, but not at the age of forty-two.......And now that it has, I catch myself wondering if I learned everything the Lord wanted me to. Am I a better person? A better Christian? I would like to think that I am.
At some point in the near future, I would really like to put my thoughts and feelings into writing; but right now, I just don't have the time. Maybe after I get my taxes done I'll be able to do that. Right now, I want to give you the details of my appointments this past week with my surgeon and my oncologist...
I had my mammogram last Thursday, and met with my surgeon, Dr. Habal on Monday morning. He said that there was absolutely no areas of suspicion on my mammogram, and he was pleased with how I continue to heal. The plan is for me to see him every six months for the time being and to have my mammogram once a year.
I also had a chest CT last Thursday. My scans were repeated around the first of November after I finished radiation. My chest CT showed some "opacities" that were unidentifiable. They appeared to be the beginning of some type of lung infection or pneumonia, but could not be ruled out as metastases. My oncologist put me on an antibiotic, and it was suggested to repeat the CT again in three to four months. I have to admit, I was really worried about that one.
I met with my oncologist, Dr. White, after seeing Dr. Habal. She let me know that all of the spots had disappeared and that my CT was completely clear! I hadn't realized how nervous I was about it until then. We then discussed her plans for me as well:
My Herceptin treatments are supposed to be for one year. My first one was on April 30th with chemo, and I've had one every three weeks since then. I have two more scheduled for April 4th and April 25th. Because Herceptin can weaken my heart, I've been having routine echocardiograms; but Dr. White told me that I would only have to have one more and that would be it. Because I have chosen to keep my infusaport for the time being, I will have to have it flushed by the chemo nurses once every three months.
I will continue to take my prescription, Arimedex, for five years. Because this drug can cause osteoporosis, I will have a bone density test every two years. I just had one a few months ago, so I'm good for awhile. I told Dr. White that this prescription is causing me a lot of joint pain and stiffness, and she recommended that I start taking glucosamine to help it.
I also had labs drawn Monday. Almost every single thing was within normal limits! I will continue to see Dr. White every six months just like Dr. Habal. I am scheduled to see my radiologist in June. I don't know whether or not she'll want to continue seeing me.
I'm having a little more swelling in my right arm than I usually have, so I'm thinking about scheduling a couple of therapy appointments next week. Other than that, it's about the same. I continue to wear my sleeve, and it continues to be sore in some places and numb in others. It aches sometimes but nothing like it used to.
So, that's the latest. I can't think of anything I've left out. Thank you so very much for taking this journey with me. Family and friends have made it so much easier. My heart goes out to my friends who are still receiving their treatments. Hang in there. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Chemo will end. Your hair will grow back. And you'll eventually get your life back. And if you ever have a day that you doubt that, just call me and I'll remind you.
Until next time,
Cindy
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
I'm getting my life back!
Good morning! It is Saturday morning, and I spent the night at my townhouse all by myself like a big girl! Yep, sure did...........No chaperones here! Some of you who haven't seen me lately might not realize what a big step that is for me; but if you had seen me at Christmas, you would definitely understand. Even though my efforts paid off and I got into the exercise program for cancer survivors, I pushed myself just a little too hard and ended up paying the price for it. As I stated in my last post, my body was just too worn down, and I caught a cold from my mother that just knocked me off my feet. Then, instead of taking a few months to recuperate from cancer treatments, I pushed to get my hysterectomy, which caused me to continue being inactive for several more weeks. By the time Christmas rolled around, I couldn't talk and I could hardly walk. This is not an understatement. I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I told you that I was going to have an MRI, and I did. The verdict is in: I definitely have a herniated disc. I was put on a 12day supply of prednisone, and I just finished it last night. Boy, am I glad too! The first several days that I was on it, I just felt more energetic. Over the past four or five days though, I've been a bottomless pit because it made me feel like I was starving. Last night, I ate everything in sight! Luckily, I was here and not at Mama's!
Since my last post, I have done a complete turnaround! When the chiropractor told me that my hip was inflamed, I started taking 800mg of ibuprofen with breakfast. That enabled me to get going in the morning, and I could function better.......slowly, but better. The more I started to move, the less pain I had. After diagnosing the herniation, I started taking the prednisone, and pretty soon, I could function without the ibuprofen. Next thing I knew, I had dropped eight pounds! I continued going to the gym and was able to stop taking the ibuprofen on a regular basis, and next thing I knew, I had lost twelve pounds! And now, I only take the ibuprofen when I go to the gym. I finished the prednisone last night. Over the last few days, it has made me gain a couple of pounds back, but I'm not sweating that. I know that is normal for that drug, and I'll get it back off soon.
I feel like a different person! I am going to the gym three nights a week, and it feels so good to be a gym rat again. I work out with two other women who have also survived breast cancer. I am the youngest, and also the most recently diagnosed. I think both of them have been survivors for at least five years. They keep telling me they can't believe how quickly I am bouncing back. And I AM bouncing back! We are lifting light weights, and I'm getting my strength back. We're using the elliptical equipment, and I'm starting to have more stamina now. And because of all of the stretching we're doing, I'm getting my range of motion back. I am now able to sleep in any position I want to, and let me tell you, it's the little things in life like that that I will never take for granted again. Sometimes when I lie down at night, I am overcome with emotion and gratitude, simply for the absence of pain. It had been my bed partner for so long, that when I lie down and don't hurt anywhere, it's shocking. Sometimes I just lie there and cry and thank the Lord for comfort and being painfree.
Even though there's nothing wrong with my hip, the herniated disc is what's causing the pain in it. I still can't sit on anything hard for any period of time. I went to see my cousin, Coty, play basketball last Saturday, and I hadn't been sitting on the bleachers thirty seconds before I was hurting. I have to be careful, but the pain is so much better, I feel guilty complaining. Considering the fact that I could hardly walk at Christmas, I feel blessed to be able to work and go to the gym. You won't hear me whining!
Got my first haircut too! Mama told me that I needed to have my neck shaved and "shaped up" again, so I went to my cousin, Sandy, and she did that for me. She said my curls were starting to curl up around my ears, so she trimmed them just a little. So, yes, technically, it was an official haircut. The rest hasn't been cut yet, but my gosh, it's so thick! It won't be long. My bangs are still really short, but the rest of my head looks "normal" now. I no longer look like a chemo patient!
I get excited about the little things now: I can tie my own shoes. I can once again hook a bra that hooks in the back. I can drive the golfcart around the yard and pick up the limbs and pine cones for my daddy. I helped Mama put clean sheets on my bed the other day. I went to the grocery store last week and bought groceries with my own money and unloaded them myself. And for the first time since last April, I held Rachel in my lap.......
It's the little things that I will never take for granted again. Sleeping all night long without waking up constantly in pain. Being able to eat my mama's cooking. Being able to get in my jeep and drive........Independence..........Health..........
Life is good once again, and now I realize it was the whole time; I just didn't appreciate it then. I have learned that God really does care about the littlest details of my life. Nothing is too small or too big for Him to stop and work out on my behalf. He walked beside me through the valley of cancer, and now I'm on the mountaintop peering into my future, and it is bright!
The sky is blue.......the sun is shining..........and it's almost time for daffodils........
I'm getting my life back............and it feels good..........
Since my last post, I have done a complete turnaround! When the chiropractor told me that my hip was inflamed, I started taking 800mg of ibuprofen with breakfast. That enabled me to get going in the morning, and I could function better.......slowly, but better. The more I started to move, the less pain I had. After diagnosing the herniation, I started taking the prednisone, and pretty soon, I could function without the ibuprofen. Next thing I knew, I had dropped eight pounds! I continued going to the gym and was able to stop taking the ibuprofen on a regular basis, and next thing I knew, I had lost twelve pounds! And now, I only take the ibuprofen when I go to the gym. I finished the prednisone last night. Over the last few days, it has made me gain a couple of pounds back, but I'm not sweating that. I know that is normal for that drug, and I'll get it back off soon.
I feel like a different person! I am going to the gym three nights a week, and it feels so good to be a gym rat again. I work out with two other women who have also survived breast cancer. I am the youngest, and also the most recently diagnosed. I think both of them have been survivors for at least five years. They keep telling me they can't believe how quickly I am bouncing back. And I AM bouncing back! We are lifting light weights, and I'm getting my strength back. We're using the elliptical equipment, and I'm starting to have more stamina now. And because of all of the stretching we're doing, I'm getting my range of motion back. I am now able to sleep in any position I want to, and let me tell you, it's the little things in life like that that I will never take for granted again. Sometimes when I lie down at night, I am overcome with emotion and gratitude, simply for the absence of pain. It had been my bed partner for so long, that when I lie down and don't hurt anywhere, it's shocking. Sometimes I just lie there and cry and thank the Lord for comfort and being painfree.
Even though there's nothing wrong with my hip, the herniated disc is what's causing the pain in it. I still can't sit on anything hard for any period of time. I went to see my cousin, Coty, play basketball last Saturday, and I hadn't been sitting on the bleachers thirty seconds before I was hurting. I have to be careful, but the pain is so much better, I feel guilty complaining. Considering the fact that I could hardly walk at Christmas, I feel blessed to be able to work and go to the gym. You won't hear me whining!
Got my first haircut too! Mama told me that I needed to have my neck shaved and "shaped up" again, so I went to my cousin, Sandy, and she did that for me. She said my curls were starting to curl up around my ears, so she trimmed them just a little. So, yes, technically, it was an official haircut. The rest hasn't been cut yet, but my gosh, it's so thick! It won't be long. My bangs are still really short, but the rest of my head looks "normal" now. I no longer look like a chemo patient!
I get excited about the little things now: I can tie my own shoes. I can once again hook a bra that hooks in the back. I can drive the golfcart around the yard and pick up the limbs and pine cones for my daddy. I helped Mama put clean sheets on my bed the other day. I went to the grocery store last week and bought groceries with my own money and unloaded them myself. And for the first time since last April, I held Rachel in my lap.......
It's the little things that I will never take for granted again. Sleeping all night long without waking up constantly in pain. Being able to eat my mama's cooking. Being able to get in my jeep and drive........Independence..........Health..........
Life is good once again, and now I realize it was the whole time; I just didn't appreciate it then. I have learned that God really does care about the littlest details of my life. Nothing is too small or too big for Him to stop and work out on my behalf. He walked beside me through the valley of cancer, and now I'm on the mountaintop peering into my future, and it is bright!
The sky is blue.......the sun is shining..........and it's almost time for daffodils........
I'm getting my life back............and it feels good..........
Saturday, January 15, 2011
It's a New Year!!
Happy New Year everybody! I hope you had a great Christmas. We did. We received at least eight inches of snow here. I had bought Rachel a new disc sled again from Martin Supply, so she came and spent the night (along with Tammy, and Cousin Tim, and Cousin Betty). We had a wonderful time and I got some beautiful pictures of the snow. Considering what my family and I have been thru this past year, we were much more appreciative of our time together, being warm, and having good food to eat. We were all glad that my treatments and surgeries were over, and were thankful that I was feeling better. There was peace in our home on Christmas, and I was so thankful not to be sick from chemo, or exhausted from radiation.
As you know, I was able to have my hysterectomy done before Christmas. It was done on December 6th. And let me tell you, it was the simplest, most painfree surgery I've ever had! I had no nausea afterwards and hardly any pain. I had planned on taking two weeks off from work, but I caught a cold from my mother. Because my body was tired and worn down from everything this past year, it hit me right much harder. The day I went back to my surgeon for my two week followup, I couldn't talk at all. She put me on an antibiotic and took me out of work for another week. Besides my cold, I was also having some extreme pain in my left hip; at times, I could hardly walk, and if I caught it just right, it made me holler out in pain. I went to the chiropractor a few times, and it just wasn't getting any better, so I asked him to xray it. According to him, my left hip joint had a lot of inflammation in it, so he recommended seeing an orthopedic.
I started taking an anti-inflammatory, and that made the pain a little more bearable. I went to see Dr. Perdue, an orthopedic, on Thursday. He also xrayed my hip. He didn't see anything wrong with my xray, and doesn't seem to think the pain is originating in my hip. He seems to think I might have a herniated disc in my lumbar (lower) spine. Of course, right now, all he has to go on is my symptoms, so he ordered an MRI for next Tuesday. Because I've had cancer before, he wants to take a close up look and make sure that there's no sign of the cancer returning in my spine. I am not worried about this; I'm convinced there will not be any cancer, and I'm not so sure I have a herniated disc either. The chiropractor xrayed my hip and lumbar spine and looked at each and every vertebrae with me. There was no sign then of any herniation. But anyway, the MRI is in a few days, and we'll just go from there.
So,........because of all that, I missed a month of work right at Christmas time with no pay. For the ones of you that blessed me financially, I appreciate you so very much. God always sees to it that the bills are paid, and I was still able to buy nice gifts for my family as well. Again, thank you for your generosity, and I pray that God will bless you for it. My first paycheck came yesterday, and I'm back in business.
Just in case you've forgotten, I pushed to have my hysterectomy done in order to get into the exercise program for cancer survivors. I probably should have taken a few months to recover, but I didn't want to get into shape, only to stop and have another surgery. My efforts paid off because I got into the program, and we started last week. We missed Monday night due to weather, but Wednesday night was the night to fill out paperwork and take measurements. They measured everything from my height and weight, vital signs, body fat, to grip strength, blood glucose and cholesterol. They are very supportive and encouraging, and that is so nice to have.
Thursday night, we did some flexibility tests and they timed me to see how long it took me to walk a mile. All of this data will be done again at the end of the program to see how much I improved. So, for the next three months on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30, I can be found at the ViQuest Center at PCMH.
I can't tell you how happy I am to be in that program. Months of sitting around sick and not feeling well have taken their toll on my body. I weigh more than I ever have, all of my clothes are too tight. My joints are stiff and sore, and I've lost not only a lot of my flexibility, but a lot of my strength as well. I am weak and pale. To me, I still look a lot like your typical chemo patient. My face is very round and without color. My eyebrows and eyelashes have only partially returned. My hair is coming back, but it's not brown and blonde like it used to be. It's more like salt and pepper. I've had the back of my neck shaved and "shaped up", and it needs it again; but I'm not to the point where I need an actual haircut yet. I have curls now........something I've never had. Not many......just a few behind my ears. I've gotten used to people running their fingers through them. I just wish my bangs would grow as fast as my curls!
Other than the exercise program, I will still continue to receive my Herceptin treatment every three weeks through my port. I have to receive that drug for a year, and I didn't start until the first of May last year. I have to have routine echocardiograms (every three months) while on Herceptin, and I just had my third one. I'm not sure how often I'll have to have them when I finish. Because of the pill I am taking, I will have to have routine bone density tests as well. I just recently had my first one, and I was within normal limits. My hope is, that by the first of May, I will be slimmer and healthier, plus finished with my Herceptin treatments.
Well, that's about it for now. Sorry it took me so long to write. I just haven't felt much like it. I'm thinking about continuing the blog though, even after my treatments are over. I'll probably change the name though. Anyway. Just thinking out loud. Thank you for tuning in. I hope you have a happy new year. Please know how much I appreciate your support, of all kinds, over the past year. It has helped so very much........
'Til next time,
Cindy
As you know, I was able to have my hysterectomy done before Christmas. It was done on December 6th. And let me tell you, it was the simplest, most painfree surgery I've ever had! I had no nausea afterwards and hardly any pain. I had planned on taking two weeks off from work, but I caught a cold from my mother. Because my body was tired and worn down from everything this past year, it hit me right much harder. The day I went back to my surgeon for my two week followup, I couldn't talk at all. She put me on an antibiotic and took me out of work for another week. Besides my cold, I was also having some extreme pain in my left hip; at times, I could hardly walk, and if I caught it just right, it made me holler out in pain. I went to the chiropractor a few times, and it just wasn't getting any better, so I asked him to xray it. According to him, my left hip joint had a lot of inflammation in it, so he recommended seeing an orthopedic.
I started taking an anti-inflammatory, and that made the pain a little more bearable. I went to see Dr. Perdue, an orthopedic, on Thursday. He also xrayed my hip. He didn't see anything wrong with my xray, and doesn't seem to think the pain is originating in my hip. He seems to think I might have a herniated disc in my lumbar (lower) spine. Of course, right now, all he has to go on is my symptoms, so he ordered an MRI for next Tuesday. Because I've had cancer before, he wants to take a close up look and make sure that there's no sign of the cancer returning in my spine. I am not worried about this; I'm convinced there will not be any cancer, and I'm not so sure I have a herniated disc either. The chiropractor xrayed my hip and lumbar spine and looked at each and every vertebrae with me. There was no sign then of any herniation. But anyway, the MRI is in a few days, and we'll just go from there.
So,........because of all that, I missed a month of work right at Christmas time with no pay. For the ones of you that blessed me financially, I appreciate you so very much. God always sees to it that the bills are paid, and I was still able to buy nice gifts for my family as well. Again, thank you for your generosity, and I pray that God will bless you for it. My first paycheck came yesterday, and I'm back in business.
Just in case you've forgotten, I pushed to have my hysterectomy done in order to get into the exercise program for cancer survivors. I probably should have taken a few months to recover, but I didn't want to get into shape, only to stop and have another surgery. My efforts paid off because I got into the program, and we started last week. We missed Monday night due to weather, but Wednesday night was the night to fill out paperwork and take measurements. They measured everything from my height and weight, vital signs, body fat, to grip strength, blood glucose and cholesterol. They are very supportive and encouraging, and that is so nice to have.
Thursday night, we did some flexibility tests and they timed me to see how long it took me to walk a mile. All of this data will be done again at the end of the program to see how much I improved. So, for the next three months on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30, I can be found at the ViQuest Center at PCMH.
I can't tell you how happy I am to be in that program. Months of sitting around sick and not feeling well have taken their toll on my body. I weigh more than I ever have, all of my clothes are too tight. My joints are stiff and sore, and I've lost not only a lot of my flexibility, but a lot of my strength as well. I am weak and pale. To me, I still look a lot like your typical chemo patient. My face is very round and without color. My eyebrows and eyelashes have only partially returned. My hair is coming back, but it's not brown and blonde like it used to be. It's more like salt and pepper. I've had the back of my neck shaved and "shaped up", and it needs it again; but I'm not to the point where I need an actual haircut yet. I have curls now........something I've never had. Not many......just a few behind my ears. I've gotten used to people running their fingers through them. I just wish my bangs would grow as fast as my curls!
Other than the exercise program, I will still continue to receive my Herceptin treatment every three weeks through my port. I have to receive that drug for a year, and I didn't start until the first of May last year. I have to have routine echocardiograms (every three months) while on Herceptin, and I just had my third one. I'm not sure how often I'll have to have them when I finish. Because of the pill I am taking, I will have to have routine bone density tests as well. I just recently had my first one, and I was within normal limits. My hope is, that by the first of May, I will be slimmer and healthier, plus finished with my Herceptin treatments.
Well, that's about it for now. Sorry it took me so long to write. I just haven't felt much like it. I'm thinking about continuing the blog though, even after my treatments are over. I'll probably change the name though. Anyway. Just thinking out loud. Thank you for tuning in. I hope you have a happy new year. Please know how much I appreciate your support, of all kinds, over the past year. It has helped so very much........
'Til next time,
Cindy
Monday, December 13, 2010
Getting Better Daily
Here is a quick update on Cindy-
She is still in Bear Grass trying to take it easy and get lots of rest. She is getting better daily and doing well. She will be getting internet access in Bear Grass midweek and is very excited about it. She is starting to get out a little bit but is still unable to drive. Hopefully after next week's doctor's appointment she will be released to drive and go back to work. Give her a call or drop by if you get a chance. She will be updating soon.
Please continue to keep her in your prayers.
Thanks,
Cindy Bullock Brinson
She is still in Bear Grass trying to take it easy and get lots of rest. She is getting better daily and doing well. She will be getting internet access in Bear Grass midweek and is very excited about it. She is starting to get out a little bit but is still unable to drive. Hopefully after next week's doctor's appointment she will be released to drive and go back to work. Give her a call or drop by if you get a chance. She will be updating soon.
Please continue to keep her in your prayers.
Thanks,
Cindy Bullock Brinson
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Surgery Update
This is Cindy Brinson giving an update on Cindy.She is at home in Bear Grass recovering. Her surgery went well and as expected. She is very sore but is able to eat and get periods of sleep. She is ready for visits and would love to have phone calls or messages. I will try to update the blog and facebook as I talk to her. She will return to the doctor on December 21st and will possibly be able to go back to work at that time. Thanks for all your prayers and support.
Cindy Bullock Brinson
Cindy Bullock Brinson
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Hysterectomy is scheduled for Monday....
Ho! Ho! Ho! Hey everybody! Christmas time's a comin'!! I've gotten a jump on my shopping this year because, as you can see, I have surgery scheduled soon. I am very pleased that my surgeon could squeeze me in (and that's literally what she has done!). I am scheduled to be at PCMH Monday morning at 0930 for surgery at 1230. Of course, that is a tentative time; I will get the definite time on Friday afternoon. My surgery is being performed by Dr. Paige Fisher.
Remember, the type of cancer that I had had estrogen receptors on it, meaning it was fed by my estrogen. As an attempt to prevent reoccurrence, I need to at least have my ovaries removed. The plan is to remove my uterus and cervix as well, but Dr. Fisher will make that decision during surgery. Evidently, not having had a baby before makes it harder to remove your cervix. Oh, I failed to tell you that she is planning to do the surgery laparoscopically (by making three very small incisions versus one long one).
Hopefully, she will be able to do it laparoscopically; I don't want to lose any more time at work than I have to. Right now, I am scheduled to be off for two weeks. By the time I go back to work, which should be the 21st, my patient will be out of school for Christmas. Instead of accompanying her to school, all I have to do is go to her house. That makes it much easier. If I were to have one long incision, recovery would take much longer.
When I was at Dr. Fisher's office this morning, I was running a low grade temp of 99.2. She told me to let my oncologist know in case she wants to put me on another antibiotic. I had just finished Augmentin about a week ago. This concerns me considering what my chest CT results showed. I was glad that Dr. Fisher ordered a chest xray today, and I'm anxious to see what it shows. Of course, that's not as good as doing a CT, but at least we'll be able to see a pretty good picture of what's going on in my lungs. I'm pretty sure that's where the temperature is coming from, but I'd like to know for sure.
For those of you wondering why I was so glad to get the surgery done before the end of the year:
(1) I have a large deductible that was long ago met. (2) I want to enroll in the cancer survivors' exercise program in January. (3) I'm tired of being out of shape, overweight, tired, stiff, etc., and I'll have a month to recover before the program begins. (4) I can wake up on January 1st without another surgery hanging over my head. All I'll have to do is continue taking my Herceptin treatments every three weeks until the first of May.
So that's it for now. I'll post again if anything changes......
Thanks,
Cindy
Remember, the type of cancer that I had had estrogen receptors on it, meaning it was fed by my estrogen. As an attempt to prevent reoccurrence, I need to at least have my ovaries removed. The plan is to remove my uterus and cervix as well, but Dr. Fisher will make that decision during surgery. Evidently, not having had a baby before makes it harder to remove your cervix. Oh, I failed to tell you that she is planning to do the surgery laparoscopically (by making three very small incisions versus one long one).
Hopefully, she will be able to do it laparoscopically; I don't want to lose any more time at work than I have to. Right now, I am scheduled to be off for two weeks. By the time I go back to work, which should be the 21st, my patient will be out of school for Christmas. Instead of accompanying her to school, all I have to do is go to her house. That makes it much easier. If I were to have one long incision, recovery would take much longer.
When I was at Dr. Fisher's office this morning, I was running a low grade temp of 99.2. She told me to let my oncologist know in case she wants to put me on another antibiotic. I had just finished Augmentin about a week ago. This concerns me considering what my chest CT results showed. I was glad that Dr. Fisher ordered a chest xray today, and I'm anxious to see what it shows. Of course, that's not as good as doing a CT, but at least we'll be able to see a pretty good picture of what's going on in my lungs. I'm pretty sure that's where the temperature is coming from, but I'd like to know for sure.
For those of you wondering why I was so glad to get the surgery done before the end of the year:
(1) I have a large deductible that was long ago met. (2) I want to enroll in the cancer survivors' exercise program in January. (3) I'm tired of being out of shape, overweight, tired, stiff, etc., and I'll have a month to recover before the program begins. (4) I can wake up on January 1st without another surgery hanging over my head. All I'll have to do is continue taking my Herceptin treatments every three weeks until the first of May.
So that's it for now. I'll post again if anything changes......
Thanks,
Cindy
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
SCANS ARE CLEAN!! I AM CANCER FREE!!!
Hey! Hey! It is Tuesday afternoon, and I came straight here from work. I am so sorry that I didn't update my blog yesterday, but it was a very full day. I tried to call, text, etc. as many people as I could to get the word out. As promised, here are the details:
(1) Saw my dentist at 0800: No cavities! No problems showing up on xrays! Considering how poor a job of cleaning I did during chemo, teeth looked great!
(2) Met with radiologist at 0945: She continues to be impressed with how fast my radiation burns are healing. Asked me to come back in three weeks to let her inspect skin one more time. Then she's turning me loose until June! Woo! Hoo!
(3) Met with oncologist at 1030: She informed me that my vitamin D level was now 33. Normal is 30 to 100. She did not renew my prescription, but told me to continue taking it over the counter. She explained to me that she did not order a CT of my head or a bone scan to be repeated because she does not want to keep subjecting me to unnecessary radiation. That in itself can give you cancer. She encouraged me to let her know immediately if I develop any kind of symptom that would make me think that those scans need to be ordered. She started me on a medication called Arimedex. I think it's similar to Tamoxifen. I'm not sure why she started it now though. I had been told that I would receive the Herceptin treatments every three weeks for a year, then take Tamoxifen by mouth for five years. I failed to ask her why she was starting it now, and why Arimedex instead of Tamoxifen. We tend to talk about a lot of things and joke a lot, and I guess I got distracted. I do remember that she said Arimedex can cause osteoporosis, so she's in the process of ordering me a bone density test. They are down one technician at Physician's East, so this might have to be done somewhere else. And last, but not least, she informed me that my CT's of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis are clean. The only problem was that my lungs looked like I had the beginning of some type of infection. I thought that maybe it was just inflammation from the radiation, but it's more on my left lung than my right. She started me on an antibiotic called Augmentin, twice a day, for a week. The radiologist that read my CT suggested close followup, so she's going to repeat the CT of my chest in three months. She said that it didn't look like anything other than infection, but of course, we need to be diligent. I'll see my oncologist again in three weeks when I get my Herceptin treatment (11/29).
(4) Received my Herceptin treatment. The nurse always makes me a copy of my labs to view while I'm waiting. My white count dropped just a bit, but remains just within normal limits. My hemoglobin just squeaked by as normal, but my hematocrit still has a little ways to go. My platelets increased from 104,000 to 124,000. (140,000 is the lowest normal parameter.) So, overall, my labs look good and continue to improve. I received my treatment while listening to Christmas music on my ipod, and was out of there around 1:30.
The plan was for Mama to drop me off here while she went to Sam's, but we had so many other errands to run, we never got here. At 4:30, we just stopped and headed home, but we had to go all the way to Williamston to pick up my jeep from being serviced, so we didn't get home until almost 6pm. So those of you who don't have email or texting, please don't rake me over the coals too much. It was a very long day, and we were exhausted when we got home.
My next appointment is with the obgyn surgeon, Dr. Fisher, on Monday afternoon. I'm really hoping to have a surgery date by the time I leave her office........stay tuned!
Okay, it's almost 6:30, and I still have to drive to Bear Grass and get up at 0530 tomorrow morning. I cannot leave yet though without giving all praise and honor to the One who is getting me through this. I continue to be amazed at how much He goes out of His way to let me know He's watching over me. All weekend long, He did things to get my attention; things that He knew would amaze and comfort me. Thank you Lord........you are an awesome God..........
That's it! Gotta get to Bear Grass! Stop by and see us sometime.......
Cindy
(1) Saw my dentist at 0800: No cavities! No problems showing up on xrays! Considering how poor a job of cleaning I did during chemo, teeth looked great!
(2) Met with radiologist at 0945: She continues to be impressed with how fast my radiation burns are healing. Asked me to come back in three weeks to let her inspect skin one more time. Then she's turning me loose until June! Woo! Hoo!
(3) Met with oncologist at 1030: She informed me that my vitamin D level was now 33. Normal is 30 to 100. She did not renew my prescription, but told me to continue taking it over the counter. She explained to me that she did not order a CT of my head or a bone scan to be repeated because she does not want to keep subjecting me to unnecessary radiation. That in itself can give you cancer. She encouraged me to let her know immediately if I develop any kind of symptom that would make me think that those scans need to be ordered. She started me on a medication called Arimedex. I think it's similar to Tamoxifen. I'm not sure why she started it now though. I had been told that I would receive the Herceptin treatments every three weeks for a year, then take Tamoxifen by mouth for five years. I failed to ask her why she was starting it now, and why Arimedex instead of Tamoxifen. We tend to talk about a lot of things and joke a lot, and I guess I got distracted. I do remember that she said Arimedex can cause osteoporosis, so she's in the process of ordering me a bone density test. They are down one technician at Physician's East, so this might have to be done somewhere else. And last, but not least, she informed me that my CT's of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis are clean. The only problem was that my lungs looked like I had the beginning of some type of infection. I thought that maybe it was just inflammation from the radiation, but it's more on my left lung than my right. She started me on an antibiotic called Augmentin, twice a day, for a week. The radiologist that read my CT suggested close followup, so she's going to repeat the CT of my chest in three months. She said that it didn't look like anything other than infection, but of course, we need to be diligent. I'll see my oncologist again in three weeks when I get my Herceptin treatment (11/29).
(4) Received my Herceptin treatment. The nurse always makes me a copy of my labs to view while I'm waiting. My white count dropped just a bit, but remains just within normal limits. My hemoglobin just squeaked by as normal, but my hematocrit still has a little ways to go. My platelets increased from 104,000 to 124,000. (140,000 is the lowest normal parameter.) So, overall, my labs look good and continue to improve. I received my treatment while listening to Christmas music on my ipod, and was out of there around 1:30.
The plan was for Mama to drop me off here while she went to Sam's, but we had so many other errands to run, we never got here. At 4:30, we just stopped and headed home, but we had to go all the way to Williamston to pick up my jeep from being serviced, so we didn't get home until almost 6pm. So those of you who don't have email or texting, please don't rake me over the coals too much. It was a very long day, and we were exhausted when we got home.
My next appointment is with the obgyn surgeon, Dr. Fisher, on Monday afternoon. I'm really hoping to have a surgery date by the time I leave her office........stay tuned!
Okay, it's almost 6:30, and I still have to drive to Bear Grass and get up at 0530 tomorrow morning. I cannot leave yet though without giving all praise and honor to the One who is getting me through this. I continue to be amazed at how much He goes out of His way to let me know He's watching over me. All weekend long, He did things to get my attention; things that He knew would amaze and comfort me. Thank you Lord........you are an awesome God..........
That's it! Gotta get to Bear Grass! Stop by and see us sometime.......
Cindy
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