Looking at Treatment

I had a wonderful visit with my friends and even visited with a sister.  Marykay, Mike and I talked a lot about what was going on for each of us and how others perceive how we are doing.  Those subjects will be integrated into this blog.

California finally had some rain, but it wasn't enough to change the outlook for needing to take probably drastic conservation steps.  I went in and out of rain coming home.  Summer will be the test here.

The day after I returned, I met with my oncologist who gave three options in treatment, one, do nothing; two, have surgery to remove the tumor when it is possible (depends on the organ and how extensive it is); and three, take Herceptin every three weeks for the HER2 positive part of my cancer and change the estrogen blocker from Faslodex, an injection to Femara, a pill I would take daily.  In the third option, it is for life or at least until the cancer shows up again.  I chose the third option.  Herceptin had no side effects that I could feel.  And, the Faslodex injections were painful.  Radiation is not an option because I had my lifetime limit.  He had preferred that I have radiation if it was possible.  I would not have minded if that had happened, because the only side effect I had was itching where the radiation was directed. That was uncomfortable, but livable.  It depends on where the radiation goes if you have more negative side effects.  The chemos I've had  I really resist are Adriamyacin, Cytoxin and Taxol.  If it was short term, maybe I would consider them, but it doesn't seem like living when you feel really bad all the time.  Have you gone through any of these and what sort of experience did you have?  Would you decide not to do something because you were so sick with it? 

I'm having a MUGA scan tomorrow to make sure my heart is doing okay to take Herceptin.  I will start the Herceptin on Thursday.  My oncologist is actually waiting for the results of a test being done on the biopsy to make sure that it is a go, but he feels it will be.

This is Mike and me while I was visiting him and Marykay this last week.  I can't seem to locate Marykay's picture but will post it when I figure this out.

My art classes and then practicing really keeps me grounded.  Perhaps next week I'll show a couple of pictures.

All is well here.  Hope you are doing the same.  Rachel