We arrived at Physician's East somewhere between 10:15 and 10:30 this morning, and we walked out the door just after 2:30. Talk about information overload! My oncologist's name is Heather White, and Mama and I really, really liked her. She was about my age, very relaxed and laid back, and very reassuring that she's going to take care of me. She explained to me in great detail what the plans are and what to expect. The first step is to have an echocardiogram on Thursday. I will be receiving a drug called Herceptin which, in very few cases, can weaken the heart muscle. As a precaution, she wants to check out my heart function to see if I have any problems before starting, as well as have a baseline to compare it to. My first chemo treatment will be on Friday morning at 9:00. I will be given three different drugs once every three weeks for a total of six treatments. As I said before, the length of time this takes will depend on how well I tolerate the treatments and what my blood counts are. After these six treatments, I will no longer take the other two drugs, but will continue the Herceptin for a year. She expects my hair to fall out in the beginning, but once I am taking the Herceptin only, she expects it to start growing back. After the six treatments, I not only will go down to receiving just the one drug, but that is when I will start radiation treatments. I asked her the reasoning behind this, and she said taking the radiation along with the three drugs would make me too sick.
Also on Thursday, I will be having a pelvic ultrasound. My CT scan of my abdomen revealed two ovarian cysts, and this is to make sure that they are not cancerous. She did not seem to be very worried about them, and reassured me of that. However, we did discuss the possibility of having my ovaries removed versus a complete hysterectomy at a later time. She also said that she will be repeating all of my scans in three months.
So.........that's an echocardiogram and a pelvic ultrasound on Thursday. Then my first chemo treatment on Friday morning. Next Monday (I think), I go back to my surgeon, Dr. Habal. I wasn't supposed to see him again for five months, but he is who Dr. White recommended for my infusaport placement. We elected not to postpone the initiation of chemo because it could be a few weeks before he could do the placement. On Friday morning, I will have just a regular iv for that day, and then, hopefully, before the next one, I will have my infusaport placed. An infusaport is super duper, high tech IV access that is inserted under my skin. This will allow me to shower without having to worry about getting anything wet, plus, with it being under the skin, I'll have less risk of infection as I would with a Hickman, PICC line, or another external access.
So......that is the latest. My arm remains extremely sore and I have limited range of motion, but I see it improving in very small increments. Even though I'm not looking forward to any of this, I am anxious to get started. The sooner I start, the sooner I finish! I think Mama is very encouraged after meeting with the oncologist today as well. She was very worried about how I will tolerate the chemo, but Dr. White reassured her that she is going to take care of me. I left with three different nausea prescriptions!
I know that this isn't going to be any walk in the park, but I also know that my attitude will have a lot to do with it. God is a good God, and I know that He is going to walk thru this with me. I do plan on milking it though, so any spoiling that ya'll want to do is greatly encouraged and appreciated! For those of you who want to know if there's anything you can do, please continue to pray. For those of you who live closeby, come see us. I am really enjoying seeing those of you who I haven't seen in a while. Also, I have a friend who has just had a lumpectomy for breast cancer as well. Her name is Karen, and she is a missionary stationed in Fiji. Please lift her up in prayer as well. She will be coming to the States soon to start her radiation.
Thank you,
Cindy
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3 comments:
I don't know what I happened. i was typing and then it all disappeared. but Sloan and I want to come see you soon, I've never been to Bear Grass before!! But we'll wait and see how you take chemo and radiation, and see if you're up for visitors. I continue to lift you up in my prayers. God is with yoU!!!!
Cindy,
I can't even begin to tell you what an inspiration your words and actions are to me! I know that God is truly with you and I feel that he has a great plan in store for you. I'm so glad that you have such a wonderful, supportive family and fabulous friends to help you through this time. But most of all I am so glad that you have God in your life! Hope to see you again soon! Cindy B.
Cindy, just to let you know I check you blog page when you post and will be keeping up with your progress (even if I do not comment everytime). You will truly have a testimony at the end of your journey. God will be with you every step of the way. He knows your weaknesses and understands when you doubt his will. That is when he wants you to trust him the most. If you find that you are too weak to pray, just say Lord hear the prayers of the ones that are praying for me. God loves you and he wants the best for you.
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