LAST CHEMO is DONE!!! WOO HOO!

Well, the day has finally come (and gone). I had my last chemo treatment on Thursday!

I met with the Doc first, and we discussed my schedule for seeing him moving forward (every 3 months); when I will start getting PET Scans (every 6 months); when I will begin getting blood tests for cancer markers (intermittently, about every 3 months); and how I will continue the Herceptin every 3 weeks through September. Bloodwork looked very good (with some lower Red Blood Cell counts--I swear I have been feeling that in my leg muscles, but the other counts were fine to continue with treatment). I also asked him to give me a ballpark estimate on my chances for recurrence...25% chance. Bummer...but let's not go there...75% chance of Cancer-Free for the rest of my life what I am going to focus on.

I started getting my chemo at around 11AM...during the Carboplatin administration I began to have an allergic reaction. We had to stop the Carboplatin (it was so close to being done anyway), because my feet and hands began to itch like mad. The palms of my hands turned bright red!!! Apparently, I was reacting to the Platinum in the med...so they ended up having to give me lots of steroids and extra Benadryl to calm down my reaction. I had moderate itching for about 45 minutes...with mild itchiness for the rest of the night (Benadryl helped). Hell, even when I went in on Friday afternoon for extra fluids I was still somewhat itchy.

Oh well...after 5.5 hours hooked up to the chemo machine, I was finally done. I was so tired and nauseous after this!!! Honestly, I think the Aloxi anti-nausea med made me feel more nauseous. Hmmm... I drove home and decided that I would take it easy for the night.

Friday: I slept in a bit and did some work from home via computer. I felt hot as hell...my chest and face were "beet red" from all of the extra steroids they had to give me. Around 1:30 PM, I went in for my extra fluids and my Neulasta shot. I remembered to take my Claritin earlier in the day; however, I somehow forgot to put the Lidocaine cream on the skin over my chemo port. MUST NOT FORGET THIS!!! I still have Herceptin to get every 3 weeks--and even with the sprays and an "expert nurse" putting the needle into the port, that shit hurts!!!Yeouch!

Anyway, I asked for some extra Benadryl to help with the itching...and I asked for some extra Aloxi to help with nausea. I do think Aloxi is crap. Did not seem to help the nausea AT ALL...in fact, I would say I felt more nauseous after it (although I know this could just be mental).

After leaving the doc's office, I drove home and decided to take the dog up to the Dog Park. We stayed there for about an hour...then he went up and pawed at his leash to go home! Sarge is such a good dog...I am so grateful to have him during this experience. He is a total MESS...although I am not sure if I would handle life well without people and critters with issues surrounding me. :-)

LOTS of heartburn, chemo burps and chemo farts last night. Went to bed around 9:30 PM...slept in until 8 AM or so. Good night's sleep...weird dreams though.

So, just a few days of feeling funky...the bad kind of funky. Then, I will begin My Life 2.0!

Upcoming Appointment:
Meet with the Radiation Oncologist on Tuesday

Need To:
Start making appointments to meet with Reconstruction Surgeons...so I can begin looking forward to my NOOBIES. :-)

Love,
Tory

Chemo 2 of 6 Today--1/3 DONE!!!

Well, Becky and I went to the Oncology office today for my bloodwork (still looking fine), meeting with my doc, and chemo part 2 of 6.

Finally I had the tech pull blood straight from my port instead of my arm/hand. Yay! No track marks this week!!! The results were fine per the doc, and I got the report for my records.

Meeting with the doc went great. He was very surprised to see that I had so much of my hair left. I have lost about half of my hair on top of my head. Oddly, I have most of my body hair too...hmmm. Well, my head hair is coming out very rapidly...so I don't know how much I will actually end up with, but we shall see.

I asked about the new study about cancer changing receptor status when it spreads to the lymph nodes. I asked specifically if the meds I was receiving would appropriately treat a cancer that had become ER or PR positive in nature. Based on what type of cancer I have, and the meds I am currently taking, we are treating it very aggressively and in a way that would attack any of the types it could morph into. Good news. I might watch this research though, as it intrigues me.

I also asked about exercise...what he would like me to do and if he feels I could go to the gym or not. He said he felt like I should do what feels right for me. He would suggest no heavy cardio work, but that exercise is definitely a good thing and to do it. Walks, light weights, and mild cardio is good.

We are continuing on the diflucan medication as it appeared to ward off the Systemic Yeast Infection that I developed last time. Essentially, I had the yeast infection in my mouth, throat, ears, nose and rectum. That was just so nice. Can we not do that again if possible? I have my script...with plenty of refills, so I can keep that side effect at bay. That side effect may be more related to the steroid decadron...

I mentioned about the lovely bone pain that results from Neulasta shots I get the day after chemo. I know I need them, but those f*#&ers are something else. "Mild" Bone Pain my ass. I did tell the doc that some folks on the internet were trying Claritin to help with the bone pain with some success. I told him I had researched the interactions and found no ill effects...so I had tried it. I told him it worked somewhat...not completely, but seemed to cut down the pain level a bit. He said he would look into it.

I did forget (again) to ask about the BRCA gene mutation test results...or if the test had even been ordered. Oh well, must remember this next time.

Next chemo is moved up to the day before Thanksgiving...and the shot will be on Friday. Works for me...just hoping I am up to do the St.Pete Times Turkey Trot (well, the little fun run version of it, the Gobbler 1 mile) the morning of Thanksgiving. My sis will compete in the 5k and will join me for the Gobbler once I sign up! Cool!

Anyway, back for chemo. They upped some of the pre-treatment medications this time to ensure I did not have a funky reaction like I did last time. Last time I got very hot and faint during the last chemo med administration. They had to give extra steroid via IV Push...that was no fun. But this time, they gave me a larger dose of Decadron (steroid) over a longer period, and they gave me Ativan via IV. Hmmm....that was trippy. Made me loopy and tired very quickly. Funny, my left eye was working okay, but my right eye seemed to be going all sideways to the world. Together, this made for some interesting stereoscopic views of the chemo administration room.

My friend Nancy showed up in the chemo room...I had no idea she was receiving treatment there...she is now doing her ongoing Herceptin treatment. She completed chemo then had a unilateral mastectomy. She will be doing reconstruction about 9 months after her last radiation. We talked for a while about what she had been through during the year...wow! There have certainly been some challenges for a handful of the people I know...for her, I wish continued learning and happier times ahead. I hope the same for myself, actually! It was nice to have her there during a large portion of my chemo today...she is such a good soul!

Anyway, I got my usual Aloxi (anti-nausea), Benadryl, Decadron, Tylenol (oral), Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin. All told, I spent about 5 hours hooked up to meds today. No exciting events like last time...just got a bit nauseous and very slightly dizzy during the last med (Herceptin). Was glad Becky was there for support and to watch over me...I cannot stress the importance of having a good person with you during these treatments. My sister is good for my soul...and I need that during this. Thanks Bec!

Well, we finally got out of the office around 5:30 PM, after picking up my next scheduled appointment listing. Becky drove us home and was able to join her running group over in Tampa. I was able to drive up to the pharmacy and fill the new diflucan script (and grab some of that 75% off Halloween Candy that I really did NOT need). Hmmmm...read a small book on Mickey Mantle while waiting for the med to be filled.

Feeling okay tonight...just a little looped and tired. Took some Zofran to combat the minor nausea I was feeling...ate a decent meal (and too much clearance Halloween Candy to even admit to). Now, I think I will take the other meds as directed, drop some Diflucan and hit the bed a bit earlier than I normally do. This girl is a bit tired tonight.

Next Steps:
Get Neulasta shot tomorrow: ooooh...get ready for that "mild" (bullshit, that is not mild dammit) bone pain...
Have Thyroid Biopsy on November 10th
Next Chemo on November 25th

Need to research more on the reconstruction options...how long after radiation must I wait? Can I get implants after radiation? Some questions have come up during discussions with folks and some of my research.

Need to get script for fake boobies to wear in my bras until I get reconstruction...these cotton padded thingys are just driving me a bit crazy. I was supposed to get the script a couple of weeks ago, I just haven't done it yet.

Well, I am off for now.....
Here is to much health and happiness!
~Tory

Tentative Chemo Schedule...

Here is the tentative schedule for my chemo treatments...
October 15th (DONE!)
November 5th
November 26th (will be moved before or after due to Thanksgiving Holiday)
December 17th
January 7th
January 28th

I "receive" Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin. Herceptin will continue after January 28th...every 3 weeks for a total of 17 doses--roughly 1 year of Herceptin at every 3 weeks.

After the January 28th chemo, I start radiation for 6 weeks, at 5 days per week. I will be getting the Herceptin during these radiation treatments.

Reconstructive surgery will be after radiation is completed.

Fun for all!

Appointment with the Oncologist, Test Results, and Chemo 1 of 6

So, October 15, 2009 was my first date with Chemo. The afternoon of the 14th, the Dr.'s office staff called me and asked me to come in earlier. I failed to ask "why" they wanted this, so I proceeded to freak myself out about the reason they may want to have me come in earlier (this appointment was also where I would hear about my PET/CT/Bone Scan tests.) Yeah, Josh, my Mom and Cheri worked on convincing me that it was just because of cancellations or needing to move around the schedule for something.
I put the Lidocaine Cream on my port area about 1.5 hours prior to my appointment...my mom suggested this based on her experiences with her Dialysis.
Anyway, had my usual bloodwork then my meeting with Dr. Wright, my Medical Oncologist. Cheri and my sister Becky were there with me and they both met him. I asked immediately about my test results, and he said I was "fine." He was surprised I had not been called with the results. I was so relieved to hear that there were no other cancers showing up on my tests...so freakin' relieved!!! There were a couple of anomalies...some nodules on my thyroid, doc said he does not think they are cancer...lots of folks have nodules there, but he wants an ultrasound done "soon." There were some other minor things that I can follow up on later, but my bloodwork was just fine, so there are no real concerns. No other cancer...no metatastes. Thank the universe!!!
So, lots more questions for the doc--mostly about what to expect from the meds, when I should call or be concerned about side effects, etc. He basically said that he did not want me to have side effects or be too affected by them, so he said to let the nurses or him know right away. The nursing staff would be going over all of the potential side effects, when to take the additional medications I had picked up the day before (on what schedule, etc) and other issues.
Went back to the chemo-administration area...nurse put some spray on the site they "jack in" to, and I did not feel a thing when they went in. Hmmm. Not so bad! So treatment started with Aloxi (anti-nausea) then Decadron (steroid to combat any possible reactions to the meds). Then the Chemo: Taxotere...next was the "Loading Dose" of Herceptin (was supposed to get Carboplatin first, but it was not ready yet, and the Herceptin was), then the Carboplatin. About 20 minutes into the Carboplatin, I started having a weird reaction...I felt so freakin' hot from the inside (like a Hot Flash times 10), this weird pain down my left arm...and I started to get tunnel vision. AND, my eyes felt like this strange "wetness" behind them...like cold wetness behind my eyes (weird?) I think I could have passed out, but then again...I may have been able to keep from doing it. My sis went and got the nurse who stopped the meds right away. She gave me some Saline fluids until they could get the doc to check on me. We decided to start again, and I got the same type of response but cut in about half. So, they gave me an IV Push of Decadron. Now...earlier, I had the Decadron over about 20 minutes, this was a push--immediate, and no one told me that there could be some side effects from that!!! Such as: my crotch suddenly felt like I had fire ants biting me all at once!!! Then it spread to a couple of other spots, including the top of my head. That was freaky...I guess if I had known I was going to have "ants" in my crotch and on the top of my head, it would have been easier to handle mentally!
Well, after that wore off a bit, they started me back on Carboplatin again slowly...then they sped it up, no weird response. The Nurse Oncology Trainer sat with me and indicated that she though it might have been the Herceptin that caused me to have the response. Who knows. I suppose I will find out next time.
Anyway, Chemo lasted until 5:45 PM...so I was on the IV from 12PM until then. Wow. Long time. Oh well...one chemo down, just 5 to go of these combo treatments. Still have 16 doses more of Herceptin though.
Ok...so my hair will be gone sometime between 10-18 days after the treatment yesterday...I've decided I am going to be a monk for Halloween. Just need some orange fabric to make a sheath to wear--with my bald head!
After Becky, Cheri and I left, I had Becky go through the drive through at Wendy's...my friend (and fellow Breast Cancer Survivor) Cindy K told me that I might want cold things...she was so correct! I got a Frosty and finished it within about 6 minutes. Damn, that was good. We also went to the CVS on the way home to pick up some Benadryl...to counteract some of the additional side effects I tried to have during treatment.
So, last night was okay really. I just had to take all of my anti-nausea meds and Benadryl...and I slept GREAT. I really did not expect to, and the nurses told me that I may not--but I was fine!
Still felt like I had a furnace burning inside of every single cell of my body...hotter than Hell...oh well. Just keep that fan on me and sweat it out! Drinking lots of fluids to stay hydrated and work everything out.
No real nausea last night...just gassy in my lower intestines and burpy with lots of heartburn. That, I can handle.
Cancer Sucks...at least it appears to have all been cut out so far...now we are covering the "just in case" portion. I really could be quite happy never doing this over again!!!

Shew!

Medical Oncologist Appointment...PET/Bone Scan info...chemo schedule...

This morning, I had my first appointment with Dr. David D. Wright with Gulfcoast Oncology Associates (http://www.gulfcoastoncology.com/) over in Tampa. The office is right next to St. Joseph's Hospital and is not too far from home to make it inconvenient.

I have to say I was horribly anxious last night and before the appointment. I had trouble sleeping...just going over the questions again and again in my head. I had typed them up this time...and added more questions in pen as they came to me.

My friend and fellow Breast Cancer Survivor, Cindy, joined me for the meeting with the doc...she also brought with her a book, Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book, and a gift bag with a Breast Cancer Awareness TY Beanie Baby...a cute keychain and a card. I really appreciated her being there...and I love my little gifts!

Dr. Wright is young...like Dr. Cox, and he is very energetic, smiley and kind. He made me comfortable right away, answered all of my questions, and just generally was pleasant. Since I don't really enjoy meeting new doctors...it was nice to again like someone right away (similar to Dr. Cox). I feel like he took a lot of time with me to go over treatment options and the questions I had or ones that came up. Cindy was beneficial to catch some additional questions that I had missed. Thanks Cindy!

Okay, so next week, I will be having the PET and Bone Scan. Dr. Wright's office will set this up and call me to tell me where and when this will occur. They will attempt to get this scheduled somewhere closer to where I live for my convenience. Dr. Wright will discuss with me the results of the tests when they are available.

The "Standard Protocol" for my type of Breast Cancer is TCH, Toxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin. I will be receiving the three drugs via my chemo port (on the upper left side of my chest) every 3 weeks for 6 total sessions. After that, the Herceptin will continue to be administered in the same manner, every 3 weeks for an additional 11 doses (17 doses total of Herceptin). Radiation will be with the Radiation Oncologist after the first 6 doses of chemo.

Chemotherapy will begin in 2 weeks, on October 15th. This will give me additional time to recover from the bilateral mastectomy that was just 2 weeks ago...thank goodness! And it will provide some time for the PET/Bone Scan to be completed with results provided to the doc. I will be receiving chemo at the office I was at today, and I toured the area to make sure I would feel comfortable there. It was fine...not dissimilar to the setup my mom has for her dialysis treatments. Luckily, I will only have to be there for 4-4.5 hours every 3 weeks. Heck, mom gets dialysis 3X a week...I think I can handle hanging out there with no problem!

I am having the chemo administered on Thursday afternoons, then I can get a shot on Friday (anti-nausea and other meds if necessary) and recover over the weekend. This way it will not interfere too much with work. The shot may include steroids (although we are going to be very careful with this) Neulasta and/or Procrit. Decadron was also mentioned. I have had interesting responses in the past to some steroid medications, so the doc will be watching this closely. I distinctly remember the last time someone gave me Prednisone...I experienced insomnia for 3 days...AND acute psychosis. Fun stuff! Hell, I managed the psychosis okay...nothing like a break from reality. No one at the UNT Criminal Justice Graduate Studies Department seemed to mind so much...maybe I didn't seem that different than my normal crazy self? Anyway, I told the doc he needed to watch steroid issues with me closely...and he indicated he would be available via phone if needed.

Ok...17 to 18 days after chemo, I will lose my hair. Yes, it will grow back, but ugh. The doc gave me a script for a "hair prosthesis!" That would be insurance jargon for a freakin' wig!!! And that's only the one for my insurance...apparently, "scalp prosthetic" is also used. That one seems wrong to me...my scalp won't fall off...although I didn't ask that question specifically (joking). Well...thank goodness Halloween is coming up...should be no shortage of goofy wigs I can don--for shits and giggles. I will probably get a good one though...we'll see. I have always been so hot natured...lately I have been feeling the effects of cold more...I may just need one. Who knows. I always did like hats...and my sis is a rad knitter. Note to self: find awesome cotton hats...allergic to wool, so wool is out. Maybe Lindsey Lohan (sp?) will date someone (else) who likes good hats this time. Much easier when I can buy hats at Target.

I also have this lidocaine cream that I have to rub on my chemo port prior to my sessions...my mom does this to her wrist before her dialysis...I will get with her for tips on how to best use this stuff. Crazy, the port is just below my skin, and they just go right in with the needle/chemo drugs. EEK. I'll probably need anti-nausea meds just to handle that shit to be honest!

What else? Oh, blood will be checked at each session, prior to starting...and I meet with the doc prior to each session. AND, the doc will be doing the genetic BRCA testing. It is covered by my insurance because I have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

OH...and if you are wondering how I will feel after chemo: Doc says I will feel like I have a mild hangover the day after chemo...along with a couple of days after that. He also indicated that nausea is an issue...although I kind of figured this...and when the nurse gave me a script for 3 different prescription medications for nausea, I could tell they were serious!!! Apparently, they will also be giving me anti-nausea meds with the chemo meds as well. I am thinking that someone may have experienced nausea in the past...maybe they were just covering their bases? ;-)

I think that is all for now...although my brain is mush from today. Heck, I had 2 hardcore naps after the appointment. Even with that damn Starbucks fix! Note to self: buy Starbucks store. Give free coffee to everyone on 9/11.

With love,
The boobless one in West Central Florida...the one searching the internet for a hair prosthesis...really? OH shit could I have fun with some wigs...
~Tory :-)

P.S. Doc says I look really strong and vibrant...and that I will be just fine. I know I will. I just like hearing a younger man tell me I look strong and vibrant!