My Day @ MD Anderson

It was one of those lllooonnnggg days!

I had my mammogram and ultrasound this morning.  I actually got a cat nap while waiting for the tech to begin my ultrasound.  I was in a quiet room with a hot blanket.  I am extremely excited to report that the measurements showed a little over 50% shrinkage of the tumor!  YIPPEE!!  I knew I'd kick cancers "boohah"!  They saw no other tumors and lymph nodes looked clean.

My appointment with the plastic surgeon took forever - so much information.  I won't go into ALL the details.  His recommendation at this time is a mastectomy with a DIEP reconstruction.  He thinks this will provide me the best results in the fewest number of surgeries.  This type of surgery is basically taking the tissues and blood vessels from my abdomen and using that to reconstruct.  That is a 4-6 hour surgery.  I would be in the hospital about 5 days.  Recovery is about 4-6 weeks.  Everything depends on whether I need radiation.  Both doctors really feel that I won't need radiation if I choose mastectomy.  If I do the lumpectomy or breast conserving surgery, then I will have to have radiation treatments.  The plastics Dr said that radiation can really make reconstruction more difficult because of the effect it has on the skin and tissues.  He said my skin is thin so radiation could effect it more.   I did learn something - not only can they take the tissue from your stomach but also your buttocks and your thighs and even your back.  I will meet with my plastic surgeon again in March to finalize surgery.

I met with my medical oncologist, Dr. Theriault.  He was just as pleased with the results of Taxol.  We discussed all of my side effects and the issues I am having with my eyes, my fatigue, and my chemo brain.  All of which are normal side effects.  We are going to proceed as planned with the FAC treatments.  I will have treatments every 3 weeks with a total of 4 treatments.  If I begin next Friday then my last treatment is projected to be April 20th.  My treatments will be longer, he said about 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  It will be 3 precautionary drugs (steroid, nausea med, and a Valium) and then the 3 toxic drugs (FAC).  He said normally you feel pretty good that first day.  You are very tired on days 2-3 and again on days 10-14.  That is when your blood count levels drop.  I will have to have my blood tested weekly.  I will need to keep anti-nausea meds on hand.  He said to take them at the first sign, not to wait until you are vomiting.  

Surgery will come after I'm done with this chemotherapy.  They will wait until my blood count levels come back up and then proceed.  I'm thinking first of May, of course after Relay for Life.

I know I am leaving out some information.  I will post again if I remember some more details.  Jim has my notebook in his car.  All of my notes from the appointments are in there.  He had a work dinner so he is not home yet.

I will call Dr Popatia's office tomorrow and get my treatment schedule set.  I hope to start next Friday.  I will post needs on the calendar tomorrow when I figure out the schedule.

Thanks so much for the meals and child care for the past week and especially today.  I really love all of my supporters!

God is Good,

Terrie

Last Day for Taxol

Today was my last treatment of Taxol.  Again, nothing new!  I was trying to be very optimistic thinking maybe they would let me skip this next part of chemotherapy.  I asked the nurse today if she thought maybe since the tumor has shrunk so much that they would let me pass.  She said that was VERY unlikely.   Let me rephrase that - she pretty much said NO!  If it's working that well they will continue.  That was a big blow for me.  She went into this long explanation that they don't want to take any chances.  They will do everything to insure that the cancer will not come back.  AND that is my goal as well, just wishful thinking.  I really want my hair back and I really want to have a fun summer with my family.

So, I will go to MD Anderson on Thursday and I will do whatever he recommends.  Thursday is my mammogram, ultrasound, plastic surgeon, and medical oncologist.  I guess I will start the FAC triple chemotherapy the following week.  This will be the 4 treatments every 3 weeks.  I will continue to have the chemo administered at Popatia's office at Oak Bend.  It was so easy and convenient.  The people there are amazing!

THANKS to all my team members and donations for Relay for Life!  It is going to be amazing!!!  There is still a lot of time left for others to join the fight against cancer.  There is a team captain meeting Feb. 10th @ 6:30 @ Oak Bend.  Let me know if you would like to come.  I do need to RSVP for food and handouts.  I'm hoping this will give a wealth of information about what to do.  I have the websites listed on the right hand side under websites.

I've had some wonderful meals this week, great child care, and my ride to chemo was super sweet.  Thanks honey!

I love you all!

Terrie

Almost forgot - my baby turned 3 today!  Happy Birthday Jake!

Treatment 11 - almost there!

Hellooo!
Once again, treatment was like always. I have one more of taxol. Nothing else new to report. I had a pretty low key week.

I have decided to put a team together for Relay for Life. If you are not familiar with this you can visit http://www.relayforlife.org/ . It is a fundraiser for all types of cancer. My team will participate in the relay for Fort Bend County. It will be held in Harvest Park in the Needville area. It will begin May 1st at 7pm and ends May 2nd at 7am. Yes, that is all night. You do not have to stay all night and you do not have to walk all night. There will be a shift schedule made so that there will be someone walking from my team during the entire event. I hope that my team will be large enough that you do not have to walk by yourself. Of course there will be other teams there as well. It is $10 to participate in the walk. If you choose not to participate with the team, you can come out there to support us or just make a contribution.
I am also looking for some volunteers to help me coordinate everything for the event. This is totally new for me and I'm not sure what to expect but we can learn together. There will be several tasks such as fundraising, tracking donations, coordinating food and tents for the event, scheduling walkers for the relay. That's just to name a few. I'm sure there will be more. If any of you have done this before I would love for you to share your experience.

Here is the link to my team page. You can register as part of the team or just make a donation.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY09National?px=8914752&pg=personal&fr_id=17551


Once again, thanks to all my supporters! The food, the rides, the child care...how would I do all this without you guys! I love you all!

God bless,
Terrie

Chemo 10

Two more treatments of Taxol and counting....

Today's treatment went just as well as the others. I guess the area around my port is becoming less sensitive because it doesn't really bother me when they insert the needle. I went without the lidocaine cream.
The week went by rather quickly. Getting everyone back in the routine wasn't so bad. I was really tired by the end of the week. I was sick over the weekend. Fever and chills. Dr. Popatia thinks it was something like the flu. I felt HORRIBLE on Saturday! The good doctor called in some meds and that really helped. I was completely better by Wednesday.

Our oldest, Allyson, has her eighth birthday Sunday! Happy Birthday Allyson. My neighbor's mom who had the heart surgery with all the complications is home. By no means is she 100%, but being able to go home was a big step toward that. Get well soon Vicky! I'm still praying for you.

Thanks again for all the meals, rides, and child care!!!!!!! I love getting all the phone calls and emails. I'm so truly blessed.

Love you all,
Terrie

Great News for Treatment 9

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR! IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT ONE!!! I have every intention of being cancer free in 2009!

I had treatment 9 of 12 with the Taxol. Almost there!!!
Dr Popatia did a physical exam before treatment today. The tumor continues to shrink!!! In fact he described it as a mass instead of a tumor. Which means it is less distinct. It's not as hard and is more difficult to feel. Can you believe it???? The power of prayer and medicine! Unbelievable!
So we continue on. I'm sure when I see Theriault on 1/29 he will want to continue with the second part of Chemo, the FAC trio. Unless, the unthinkable happens, and the tumor shrinks more. Who knows??? I also meet with the plastic surgeon on the 29th. I have an appointment in February with the radiation oncologist. I meet with the surgical oncologist again in March.

Christmas was unbelievable! The kids and the rest of the family have really enjoyed the break. I'm kinda of sad to see it end. Jim has been home the last two weeks, and I loved having him here. He did so much around the house, so I got a lot of rest. Thanks babe!

Jim and I are so lucky to have great friends. Some of them got together and treated us to a night out, dinner and tickets to the Trans Siberian Orchestra. We had a great time. They arranged everything including dinner for the kids and the babysitter! Thanks guys!

Thanks to all those who helped out with rides, meals, and child care! I love you all!

God is Good,
Terrie