Chemo round #1

Well I made it through the first day of the first round of chemo.  It was not bad at all.  I think having the port-a-cath really helped with that.  I barely felt anything.

The nurse first gave me the anti-nausea medicine (quite a "cocktail") through the "iv" in the port.  Then she pumped in the first drug.  The second drug was "dripped" in so it took a little longer.  But, it all took only 2 1/2 hours.  So, not too bad.

I'm starting to get a little tired and "fuzzy".  Just waiting for the fatigue to set in and hoping to keep the nausea at bay!

One down, seven to go.

Hugs.  

Oncologist and chemo

Things are moving right along!  It was a super busy week.

I met with my second oncologist on Wednesday.  She is very matter of fact (which is how I like it come to find out!).  The unanimous opinion is that I start chemo before having the surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) and I concur.  So, I will be starting on November 29th.  It will be every two weeks for 16 weeks.  I will be able to have it at Alta View Hospital.  Then, after chemo I will have the surgery, which will put it around the end of March or early April (hopefully after spring break!).

Thursday I had the lymph node biopsy (still a little sore today, but healing).  Hoping the results comes back clean.  If not, I will have to have lymph nodes (on the one side) removed when I have the mastectomy.

Friday, I went to the dentist and got my mouth all taken care of before I start chemo.  All these things you have to take care of that you just don't think about!!!

I am thankful for ALL the people that have gone before me that have blogged and written about their experiences.  It will hopefully make my experience a little more tolerable!

We are still waiting for the genetic test to come back as well.  Should be hearing back this week.  That will change up some decisions if I have the breast cancer gene (BRCA 1 or BRCA 2).

Just a couple more doctors appointments this coming week.  AND...gearing up for a good Thanksgiving, maybe sneak in a little pampering, and try to get as much done to prepare for Christmas as I can.  Hoping my energy level cooperates!

Oh, and everyone has been asking if I need anything or if they can do anything for me.  I really appreciate it.  To help with this I have created a list of things I will need during chemo and some things I would like on my wish list with Amazon.com.  Let me know if you would like to look at it and I will send you the link.  (privacy issues as this is a public blog).  Thanks!

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Hugs,
Becky

PET scan and port-a-cath surgery

Well...it's been a busy week already!  Yesterday I had the PET scan (positron emission tomography).  It went really well.  They put in an iv and then had me drink 16 ounces of "lemonade", then they introduce the tracer in the iv.  I got to take a 45 minute nap (sorely needed) to help the tracer circulate throughout my body.  Then, I got to drink 16 more ounces of the lovely lemonade they provide.  Refreshing beverage!  No, it's really not that bad.
After a quick stop in the restroom I hopped onto the scanning bed (on my back this time!) and snuggled down into the headrest with a nice leg rest under my knees and warm blankets on top of me.  It was a 20 minute test.  The bed moves back and forth 3 times.  I imagined I was at Disneyland on an incredible new ride.  I was tempted to open my eyes but that would have ruined the illusion.  I didn't want to have had a little panic attack.  They certainly don't make those machines very large.  I guess I am a little claustrophobic!  The key for me is keeping my eyes closed and practicing my yoga breathing!!!  
The purpose of the PET scan was to rule out any other cancer in my body.  Really praying that is so!


I had my port-a-cath placed today.  It was an outpatient surgery and it went well.  It will be very helpful in receiving treatments.  The other option is to get an iv each time.  Since treatment will last 16 weeks I opted for the port.  It is placed under the skin near my collarbone.
When I saw my surgeon (who is awesome by-the-way!) before the surgery he said my PET scan was clear except for two lymph nodes that showed up.  I am quite relieved about that.  So, I am having a lymph node biopsy in two days and we'll see if I need my lymph nodes removed or not.

Oh, and I got my hair cut very short!  I think the kids need to see me in transition.  My two older kids said I looked like a teacher and like a different Mom!  My baby just smiled and laughed.  My kids are so funny and so honest.  I love them so much!!!


And, here's a tip...don't watch clips of Modern Family and Suburgatory when you're healing from any surgery.  Laughing hurts!!! :)


On to the next!

Breast Cancer Clinic Summary

A breast cancer clinic is a phenomenal thing.  We met with all the experts (surgeons, oncologists, cancer nurse, patient advocate, etc.) in basically one meeting, well, one-on-one over the course of a morning.  It was a tiring day, but a good opportunity to get the facts and all of the experts recommendations.  It's also getting a second, third, and fourth opinion!   I feel like we're all on the same page.  Very helpful!


The unanimous recommendations that came from the Tumor Board meeting (all the doctors met together to discuss my case) was that I have a PET scan to rule out any cancer that may have spread to other organs, genetic testing done, another biopsy on a lymph node that showed up on the MRI, neoadjuvant therapy (to shrink the tumor first), and a simple mastectomy.  


I don't think "simple" is really a word I would use with mastectomy, but I guess it's the medical way of saying it's not a radical mastectomy, which would include removing muscle and lymph nodes.


So, plans have changed a bit.  After a lot of prayer I do feel confident that the doctors recommendations are the way to go.  Surgery will come later at the end of March.  Next week is going to be a busy one.  But, as I have learned in the last two weeks, things can change, and quickly!
Monday - PET scan
Tuesday - port-a-cath surgery
Wednesday - oncologist meeting to set up therapy
Thursday - lymph node biopsy


Again, thank you to everyone for your continued prayers, concern, help and support!

MRI

I had my MRI yesterday.  It ended up being an intravenous MRI which surprised me a bit.  So, it wasn't quite without pain as I had imagined, but I am getting more used to being poked.

This MRI was a lot different than I imagined too.  I was put face down with my mumma's (as my kids call them!) sticking through holes in the MRI bed.  Awkward!
They slid me backwards into the machine.  This was actually good because I couldn't see how close the thing was around me.  I looked at it afterward and I probably would have had a little panic attack.  It was pretty close!

The entire test took about 40 minutes.  20 minutes without iv and 20 minutes with iv.  A pretty long time to have to be perfectly still, but I made it through.  The last five minutes of the test I felt like my breast bone was going to fall off.  They don't pad the bar that goes between the mumma's!  And, yes there is a reason for that.  Apparently it would mess up the test if there was any padding between.  Yikes!

So, I am expecting the results in a another day.  I am actually looking forward to it and hoping that it clears up any lingering questions about the tumor and anything that the mammogram may have missed.

Right now I am still scheduled for surgery on November 16th.  Today I am expecting to have a mastectomy.  The tumor is 8 cm (which is considered quite large).  Although the surgeons seem to think that breast conservation (lumpectomy) is doable, I have a feeling it won't work.  But, either way it is coming out.  It hurts and I want it gone!

Thanks to everyone for your continuous prayers and positive thoughts.  I am feeling the strength of them!

My diagnosis...

I have always supported the pink ribbon and its efforts to help find a cure.  I’ve admired those that I saw on t.v. that were fighting this terrible disease with courage and grace.  I’ve even run the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure a few times.  But, now it’s personal!

I found the lump myself.  Thought it might just be something leftover from nursing (infection or cyst) so I didn't do anything about it for about two weeks.  But, then I was watching The Talk one day.  The entire show that day was dedicated to breast cancer awareness.  Watching that show took some of the fears away and convinced me to get the lump checked out.  Good thing I did! 

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Halloween, October 31, 2011.  To be specific: ER positive, PR positive, HER2 negative (which is good).

My diagnosis was given over the phone.  My first thought was, “Really?  You are really telling me this news over the phone?!”  But, after I hung up I was really glad that I was sitting at my kitchen table, wearing my cozy slippers, and looking at the wonderful smile on my baby’s face!  It took the sting out of the news I had just received.  I was in shock and probably still am in shock.  It was definitely a crappy day.

The past five days have been filled with doctors appointments, concerns and questions, an overload of information, learning a new language (the cancer language), a little bit of fear and a couple tears (still waiting for the moment I really freak out!).  But, most importantly it has been filled with an abundance of care, concern, and help from friends and family.

I never thought I would be diagnosed with cancer let alone be grateful for Sharon Osbourne!!!  Life is definitely filled with surprises!

I just pray that I am granted a little bit of patience and grace to get through this challenge...it’s a doozy!