Well, I do have to do Chemo. Still don't know about radiation yet. Here I go trying to explain this.
I am Stage II (2). HER2/neu positive.ER/PR + estrogen/progesterone. These stimulate the cells to grow by hormones. Therefore, I can take a drug for 5 years to help prevent cancer. It is called Tamoxifen. I think he said there was another one I could take also but too much to take in at once.
I will take Chemo: Adriamycin and Cytoxan every 2 wks 4 times.
Then I will take Chemo: Herceptin every 3 wks for one year along with the Taxoxifen or some other hormone treatment pill for 5 yrs.
WOW! one year of chemo, who would have thought. He said it may take 2-4 hrs for chemo treatments maybe less.
He gave me some books and papers on every drug he will be giving to me plus a booklet on breast cancer. So, we can read over them and ask any questions or concerns. He said I would need an eco gram done so we have a base line on my heart. So I go Aug. 12th for that at the hospital. I need a port put in which will be used to give me the chemo treatments.
I go to GS (General Surgeon) next Thursday and we will set up the time to get the port put in by him.
The lady at the front desk is a 20 year survivor and was nice enough to give me her number if I needed to talk to her or had any questions. I told her I was planning on doing the walk in Oct. She said to call her and she would go with me. I want to get everyone I can to come for that event. I hope I can get some more people to join my family on this Breast cancer walk.
Well, Work: I went back Wed. and told everyone. I got Family Medical Leave papers today. Of course she had to put in my job description too. How funny. I have to be able lift 40 pound and have 8 hrs of energy. I will do my job and go to my appointments. If they don't like it they can kiss my ---.
I will lose my hair. I hate this part but it's not the end of the world. Many women have been through worse. I wish no one had to go through this and maybe one day they want have to.
I am sad, angry, confused, and other things. I am also very happy that I will be cured one day!! I am looking forward to next summer. I am looking forward to helping my family in our everyday life. Cause we must gone on with our lives. Nothing is going to stop that. I love my family and all of us are learning important things about ourselves and growing. God will help us through all of this.
I just wanted to tell you what a beautiful woman you are, inside and out. I enjoyed talking with you last night and you've been on my mind and in my prayers all day. Whenever and for whatever you need, I'm here. I wanted to share this verse with you. It's my favorite. "He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust, his truth shall be thy shield and buckler." Psalm 91:4
ReplyDeleteI love you my dear friend,
Kristi
Hey Debra,
ReplyDeleteI know this is alot for you to take in. I am so sorry you have to go through all this. I know it doesn't seem fair. It is going to be hard but you will get through it. Don't look at it as a year of chemo. The effects of each treatment usually last a few days. Most of your days will be what you make of them and you have a great attitude and fighting spirt. I did the Adriomycin/Cytoxen combo with Taxotere. I had a full life on chemo. Look at the chemo as a means to an end, a knife in the heart of that nasty old cancer. Praying and thinking of you, survivor sister,
Kerry