Next week I will be at MD Anderson. During this visit I will have another mammogram, ultrasound, an appointment with a genetics counselor, another bone scan, visit with the reconstructive surgeon, and an appointment with my surgeon. I have lots of questions that I need addressed during this trip, so I am anxious for next week. One primary question that I have on my mind is if getting a double mastectomy is the appropriate route to go?? After my recent oncologist appointment in Lubbock my doctor seemed to think this was extreme, and left me feeling confused. I will post how the MD Anderson visit goes. I am very hopeful that at the end of the visit next week I will feel confident in all of my decisions.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Only 1 More Chemo Session to Go!!!
On April 21, 2014 my 3rd FEC chemo was administrated. My sister Katie was able to go with to this chemo session. I have now completed a total of 15 chemo sessions. So how did it go and how did I feel??? Well, I was exhausted. Had no energy. It was very hard for me to focus on anything. All I wanted to do was sleep. A few days last week I was only awake about 6-7 hours throughout the entire day. And I was also nauseated with very little appetite. Any strong smell would send me over the edge. All of the chemo has finally caught up with me. I consider myself lucky though as I have been on chemo since mid-December, and it is just now really starting to effect me. Only one more chemo session to go!!!
Next week I will be at MD Anderson. During this visit I will have another mammogram, ultrasound, an appointment with a genetics counselor, another bone scan, visit with the reconstructive surgeon, and an appointment with my surgeon. I have lots of questions that I need addressed during this trip, so I am anxious for next week. One primary question that I have on my mind is if getting a double mastectomy is the appropriate route to go?? After my recent oncologist appointment in Lubbock my doctor seemed to think this was extreme, and left me feeling confused. I will post how the MD Anderson visit goes. I am very hopeful that at the end of the visit next week I will feel confident in all of my decisions.
Next week I will be at MD Anderson. During this visit I will have another mammogram, ultrasound, an appointment with a genetics counselor, another bone scan, visit with the reconstructive surgeon, and an appointment with my surgeon. I have lots of questions that I need addressed during this trip, so I am anxious for next week. One primary question that I have on my mind is if getting a double mastectomy is the appropriate route to go?? After my recent oncologist appointment in Lubbock my doctor seemed to think this was extreme, and left me feeling confused. I will post how the MD Anderson visit goes. I am very hopeful that at the end of the visit next week I will feel confident in all of my decisions.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
No More Eyelashes!
I completed my 2nd FEC, that's a total of 14 chemo sessions thus far, on March 31st. I had an appointment with my oncologist prior to receiving treatment on the 31st. As you already know, I will have to endure an entire year of Herceptin, a drug specific to stop the growth of the aggressive HER2 gene that I carry. During my appointment on the 31st, the doctor informed me that he is working with my insurance company to also get approval for a new drug called Perjeta. Perjeta costs around $10,000 a bag. I would need a total of 18 bags since I would be receiving this treatment along with the Herceptin every third week for a year.
Perjeta, like Herceptin, also to stop the growth of the HER2 gene. It can be used with, and is recommended to be used with Herceptin. I have done a lot of research on my own to see why both of these drugs are needed, and I have learned that they both attack the HER2 gene in complementary ways. It is believed that by using both Perjeta and Herceptin a stronger blockage is formed against HER2 signals, which helps slow the overall cancer cell growth.
As you know from my last post, my hair was falling out, but the FEC really made it come out. As a result I had to shave my head. I thought I was in the clear to keep my long, lushes, full eyelashes. However, last week they too just started coming out in clumps. My eyebrows are still hanging on by a thread, but I am not as attached to them as I was my eyelashes. So now I am working on perfecting the skill of wearing fake eyelashes! Yes, this is definitely a skill! One of the side effects from being treated with Perjeta is the possibility of hair loss. My thoughts are...it is already all gone, so I might as well endure all of the necessary treatments now and hope I never have to encounter this again!
I was also contacted this week by Melita Cramblet, the owner of the Purple Circle Magazine (a livestock show publication). She has asked me to write a feature story about my journey for the upcoming May/June edition. I am super excited about this opportunity and will share with everyone the final production once it is released!
My 3rd FEC chemo session will be on April 21st, and my sister Katie has made arrangements to go with me. I would like to thank everyone that has continued to follow my blog! Your support is greatly appreciated!!
Perjeta, like Herceptin, also to stop the growth of the HER2 gene. It can be used with, and is recommended to be used with Herceptin. I have done a lot of research on my own to see why both of these drugs are needed, and I have learned that they both attack the HER2 gene in complementary ways. It is believed that by using both Perjeta and Herceptin a stronger blockage is formed against HER2 signals, which helps slow the overall cancer cell growth.
As you know from my last post, my hair was falling out, but the FEC really made it come out. As a result I had to shave my head. I thought I was in the clear to keep my long, lushes, full eyelashes. However, last week they too just started coming out in clumps. My eyebrows are still hanging on by a thread, but I am not as attached to them as I was my eyelashes. So now I am working on perfecting the skill of wearing fake eyelashes! Yes, this is definitely a skill! One of the side effects from being treated with Perjeta is the possibility of hair loss. My thoughts are...it is already all gone, so I might as well endure all of the necessary treatments now and hope I never have to encounter this again!
I was also contacted this week by Melita Cramblet, the owner of the Purple Circle Magazine (a livestock show publication). She has asked me to write a feature story about my journey for the upcoming May/June edition. I am super excited about this opportunity and will share with everyone the final production once it is released!
My 3rd FEC chemo session will be on April 21st, and my sister Katie has made arrangements to go with me. I would like to thank everyone that has continued to follow my blog! Your support is greatly appreciated!!
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
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