Family and Friends
I just realized I am very overdue for a blog update on my treatments.
I was done with Radiation in November...... and the Oral Chemo they gave me for the brain mets...finished in December.
I got very good news on December 29th. ALL of my mets in my brain responded very well. Most had disappeared and the larger ones shrank significantly. It was outstanding news!
I may be a candidate for Gamma Knife surgery but apparently radiation works for a few months after you get dosed and I may not need it. I get a follow-up MRI this week...so I will know about the surgery soon.
I do have some progression in my lungs as shown in my last CAT scan in December.
I am currently on the trial drug Tykerb ....replaces herceptin. (This is the drug I originally went to MD Anderson for)
I have been on it for 2 weeks now. It is in pill form and I take it every morning. It has no side effects. Unfortunately because it is still a trial drug I have to take Tykerb with another drug called Xeloda which has given me a lot of stomach issues. My doc's have taken me off Xeloda for now.
I have all the usual scans coming up in the next few weeks (Heart, Brain MRI, Bone, Cat) so I will know if this Tykerb is working or not. I guess they can tell pretty fast. If it's NOT working... I have quite a few options drug-wise that I can take. And all of these drugs are pretty mild compared to the chemotherapies I had in 2002 and 2005.
Two things I must mention. I just don't know what I would do without Jeff. Thank goodness he has his own business....if he had to go into an office or travel...I just don't know what I would do!
I still can't drive, I am sorta "out of it" since the radiation. Jeff takes care of everything in the household AND me....goes to every single Dr.'s appointment and test and scan (and there are a TON) He cooks, he cleans, he takes care of my animals, he basically dotes on me. I am a very lucky woman.
The other thing I must mention....those of you who have your health....please EMBRACE IT!
The things I miss....putting on my running shoes on the weekend and just heading out the door for about an hour, riding my bike, lifting, dancing, jumping, swimming in the ocean, walking on the beach, yard work (yes, yard work).
ENJOY your health, revel in your appetites, jump when you are happy, dance when the music moves you and HUG EVERYONE you LOVE...AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE!!!
:)
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6 comments:
You are such an inspiration to my sister. I print off and let her read them. She will not share her thoughts. She had Gamma Knife twice for mets after radiation on her breast. It has been over a year with no new mets and she was able to avoid whole brain radiation for now. It is always available to her. It was a long scary two week seeking information but she was able to email and call several centers by using the IRSA website which lists the ACTUAL contact numbers of nurses. If anyone else needs it, it is www.IRSA.org
Please keep up your good work on line -- we are all with you!
M & D
Thank you so much for your kind words! I hope your sister is doing ok. And thank you for the reference site!
Nancy
I was linked to your blog from the link in your sig from the YSC boards...just wanted to say from your latest post that I will appreciate my current health, as it comes back after chemo and rads. You have gone through so much, and I admire your strength through this. Thank you for sharing your experiences here and on the boards.
Best,
Jill (aurora243 on the boards)
Good news Nancy, thank you for the advice...Keep us informed dear, I am thinking about you! I knew that there will be more good news. My English is not so good to write you what is into my mind and my heart...I have to learn it better...But I will write you once again - I LOVE YOU AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!!! GINKA
Hi Nancy. That is great news. You are staying ahead of the disease. Everytime it tries something, you shoot it down. Perhaps, soon, you'll be in a complete remission. You're an inspiration to me, Nance. Remember, I'm always available if you need help. If you and Jeff need a hand with something, let me know. I want to help. :-)
Love,
Rick
hey girl!(suebele from YSC)
you are amazing.
Just checking in with you. have you had your scans yet? I have talked to my cousin twice in the last 2 weeks, she is out of the darkness and looking to the light-thank the good Lord. Jeff is a McDreamy!
love ya
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