I can't believe it's already Monday night and I haven't brought you up to date since last Thursday's chemo. It was a short session (about 2 hours) and included my new med (Faslodex) which is administered to the gluteus maximus once a month as an estrogen inhibitor. The side effects have been minimal with just a little soreness in the sitting area. I've also had a touch of nausea (I can't really say that it's related), but I'm still eating.
Saturday and Sunday found Dan and me in Ellensburg for a dual purpose. We celebrated Elise's 30th birthday a week and a half early. If you happen to be in the area at dinnertime, you must try "Saisons" (spelling--questionable). That was Saturday evening with Elise and Matt and then on Sunday we cheered them on in the "Climb for the Cure". A friend of Elise's from college organized a team of about 10 members which went on to raise the most donations per capita for the entire event. "Go, Team Cancer-Free Climbers!" The climb took place on one of the hills south of Ellensburg and covered about 5 miles to the top and back down. Although we didn't stay to greet them at the finish line. the opening ceremonies were very moving. Someone should have warned me that I would need a pile of kleenex as a participant in the parade of survivors. About 450 climbers raised over $20,000 for cancer research. Bless them all!
Today I attended the Susan G. Komen Lunch for the Cure at the Red Lion Hotel. It was good to have my dear friend, Jackie, sitting by my side. She, like so many of you, have been riding out this storm with me from the very beginning. I would also like to offer special thanks to Ginny who endured a wig search with me this week. I must have tried on the same three wigs 17 times each. She used her keen eye to help me choose a very "sassy" wig that went public today at the lunch. I must say that I felt conspicuous wearing hair in public. Who would have thought? I received so many positive comments, though, that I know it was the right choice
That should do it for now. I look forward to sending my next update.
Thank you for your continued love and support,
Linda
Monday, October 12, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
PET Scan results
My scans (both PET and CAT) yesterday went just fine. I managed to drink the thick berry beverage and keep it down. I don't know what percentage is made up of sugar, but it serves the purpose of aiming right for those sugar-loving cancer cells.
Today Dan and I met with Dr. Nichols and she reviewed both scans with us. The bottom line is that we are cautiously optomistic. The cancer in the bone regions (lumbar spine, pelivs, sternum and ribs) has regressed and is even hard to see in places. It is also coninuing to regress in my lymph nodes. We thank God, my doctor and her expertise, the meds and all of you for holding us up in your thoughts and prayers. My liver, on the other hand, seems to have a mind of its own. Some of the lesions are smaller while others appear to have grown. Radiation may be an option after the cancer is put into remission in the other areas. If I am correct about this, the radiation is more effective if it focuses on one organ without the threat of cancer waiting to return from the bones or lymph nodes. (Don't quote me on this!) Dr. Nichols also prefers to wait on radiation because of the negative effect that it can have have on bone marrow. I need those white cells to be healthy!
I will have the current chemo drugs in Oct. and Nov. and then start my 1 or 2 month break just before Thanksgiving. In the meantime, I will be given a monthly injection of Faslodex (anti-estrogen med) to help keep things stable during my break.
We are feeling good and know that there are many options out there for breast cancer patients. I continue to build my immune system through nutrition and am considering a yoga class for breast cancer patients/survivors. It's getting difficult to find time to fit it all in, but Dan insists, and I agree, that taking care of myself has to come first right now (and hopefully for a long time!)
With love,
Linda
Today Dan and I met with Dr. Nichols and she reviewed both scans with us. The bottom line is that we are cautiously optomistic. The cancer in the bone regions (lumbar spine, pelivs, sternum and ribs) has regressed and is even hard to see in places. It is also coninuing to regress in my lymph nodes. We thank God, my doctor and her expertise, the meds and all of you for holding us up in your thoughts and prayers. My liver, on the other hand, seems to have a mind of its own. Some of the lesions are smaller while others appear to have grown. Radiation may be an option after the cancer is put into remission in the other areas. If I am correct about this, the radiation is more effective if it focuses on one organ without the threat of cancer waiting to return from the bones or lymph nodes. (Don't quote me on this!) Dr. Nichols also prefers to wait on radiation because of the negative effect that it can have have on bone marrow. I need those white cells to be healthy!
I will have the current chemo drugs in Oct. and Nov. and then start my 1 or 2 month break just before Thanksgiving. In the meantime, I will be given a monthly injection of Faslodex (anti-estrogen med) to help keep things stable during my break.
We are feeling good and know that there are many options out there for breast cancer patients. I continue to build my immune system through nutrition and am considering a yoga class for breast cancer patients/survivors. It's getting difficult to find time to fit it all in, but Dan insists, and I agree, that taking care of myself has to come first right now (and hopefully for a long time!)
With love,
Linda
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