"Um, you have to update your blog."
I said, "I know, I know."
I don't know why, but I haven't felt like writing lately. I haven't really felt like being on the computer. It's not a bad thing, I've just been really busy. I think I'm keeping myself busy on purpose. If I'm super busy, I can't think about all of the things that are stressing me out. I think for some reason, this week has stressed me out. I have had so much going on, and so many important things going on. It's not over yet, but it will be soon. I even had to cancel lunch plans with a great friend that I hadn't seen in a while. There was just too much to do.
I had/have a lot of doctor/medical appointments this week. I was super nervous. Why was I nervous? Well, we are leaving for Florida in a few days, and I didn't want to tell the oncologist that. I didn't want to tell any of my medical people this (docs, nurses, receptionists, etc). Why, you ask? Well the last time I planned on going to Florida, I was told no because I had to have major life changing surgery. You can understand if I was a little apprehensive about sharing my vacay plans with my docs.
When I met with my medical oncologist a few weeks ago, I found out that I could start radiation much sooner than planned. I thought I was going to have to work during radiation. This was a good thing. However, when he told me my potential "start" date, Troy and I looked at each other like "uh-oh". It went like this:
Doc: You can start as early as the 10th. Well, we will be in florida then...
Troy and Me: Exchange awkward glance....
Doc: Is there something you want to tell me?
Me: We will be out of town then... note that I said "Out of town"
Doc: Oh, that's fine, you can just start the following week.
Me: Phew.
Doc: Where are you going?
Me: looks at Troy...Florida...
Doc: Oh, so you weren't planning on being hot enough here? You had to go somewhere hotter? Hahahaha.
Phew. Awkward convo over. He didn't tell me no! Yay!
Fast Forward to this week.
Monday: Radiation Oncology appointment. This appointment was just to make sure I was doing well and to plan out radiation. I was extra nervous about hiding my vacation plans. I don't know why, I just didn't want him knowing. I didn't think he'd react well to me saying that I was going to be in hot florida sun just before radiation. Here's how that convo went:
Doc: So, we have to have this 900000 minute long appointment that we have to schedule, followed by a two week planning period, and then we can get you started.
Me: Well....I am going out of town next week.
Doc: That's ok, we'll do the 9000000 minute long appointment this week, and you don't have to be here for the planning period. We can start radiation the following week.
Me: Sounds good.
Now is the part where he goes into detail about all of these appointments and what to expect. Note: I love my radiation oncologist. He explains things so easily, he's easy to talk to, and overall I just feel really comfortable about what his plans are. Great doc.
As he explains everything, he looks at me and all of a sudden says "Are you planning on coming back from your trip all sunburned?"
Right away, I respond: "Nope."
That was it. I know, I know. I should have told him where I was going, but I didn't lie. I'm not planning on getting sunburned. I bought 1000000 SPF sunscreen in every style (lotion, spray, drink, etc), I have a sun hat the size of the moon, and I bought several awesome t-shirts that cover up my whole "chest wall" (that's where all the magic will happen). So, I feel comfortable with the fact that I told him the truth. I plan on taking really good care of my skin while I'm gone. I don't plan on "laying out" in the sun for too long. Plus, my skin doesn't really burn easily.
Tuesday: Marie has had this crazy cough lately. I thought to myself the other day, I wonder if it's an ear infection...but she isn't complaining about her ears. Oh well, we are going on a vacation, better safe than sorry. I booked an appointment for her just in case. Turns out, yep, it's an ear infection. So we got her started on antibiotics and we are good to go there.
Today (Wed.): I have a physical therapy appointment, which is really just a nice massage (I'll post more about that later--this post is turning out to be longer than I intended). After that, I have to go to the "Simulation" appointment for radiation. I plan on writing a post where I explain radiation, the lymphatic massage, etc. in detail. It'll be easier to understand.
Tomorrow (thurs.): Herceptin. Tomorrow at 9:00 will be my first treatment of herceptin on its own. The study that I'm in studies the effects of herceptin on patients with a low level of the HER2 protein. It's supposed to be beneficial.
HER2+ cancer: HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about 1 of every 5 breast cancers, the cancer cells make an excess of HER2 due to a gene mutation. This gene mutation and the elevated levels of HER2 that it causes can occur in many types of cancer — not only breast cancer. This is a gene mutation that occurs only in the cancer cells and is not a type of mutation that you can inherit from a parent. (mayoclinic.com)
My cancer is ER+/PR+/HER2-. Herceptin is the medication used to treat HER2+ patients.
Trastuzumab (Herceptin). Trastuzumab, which specifically targets HER2, kills these cancer cells and decreases the risk of recurrence. Trastuzumab is often used with chemotherapy. But it may also be used alone or in combination with hormone-blocking medications, such as an aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen. Trastuzumab is usually well tolerated, but it does have some potential side effects, such as congestive heart failure and allergic reaction.
Now, before you worry about the side effects, I've already had this drug for the past 12 weeks. Plus, I got an echocardio gram before starting it, and I'll be getting another one done when I get back from florida, so they are monitoring me for the "potential side effects". This week, I'll just be getting it on its own. I'll have it ever 3 weeks for the next 9 months. This is NOT chemotherapy, but I do have to get it in my port, so it's kind of like I'm still getting chemo. There are basically no side effects (besides heart failure, haha--but I would know if that would happen to me).
After I get my half-hour cocktail of herceptin, it'll be time to load up the van. we plan on leaving whenever Troy gets home from work, and I will be taking the first shift. Yes, we are driving. Yay for us!
Expectation:
Reality:
I will be bringing my laptop so that I can post from the road. I'll make sort of a "play by play" of the drive, if I'm up to it.
That's all for now.
Enjoy your vacation!!!
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