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!!