Chemo #!

Chemo tomorrow.  Think I'm ready. I've got my phone charger, phone, & Kindle ready to go.  I've had my rare steak.  Lot's of research done so I'll be prepared. Thanks Judy for the advice, Don for the steak, and everyone who's called or texted to check on us.  I'll let you know when I resurface!
Big prayers requested!

Filling in the gaps, so we can move forward.

Today, July 25, 2019, would have been Dad's 90th birthday. He passed away on June 12, 2010 from complications of colon cancer.  Happy birthday Dad.

I begged for genetic testing way back in 2007, but insurance denied me. Didn't matter that Mom had survived breast cancer, Dad had not been diagnosed at that time, his father, and first cousin died of cancer, but not considered close enough to count. Now, I'm being taken seriously. The genetic results should be in next week.

In the past two days, we have checked most of the to do boxes that were laid out for us on Monday.
Accepted by MD Anderson Monday afternoon.
Pet scan & results done Tuesday morning.
EKG & Echo Cardiogram done Tuesday afternoon.
Port inserted Wednesday morning.
Genetic testing still out there.
Followup with Dr. Syed.

Dr. Syed has told us that the PET Scan did not indicate that the tumor has gone much further. It has grown from 5cm to 5.8 cm, which confirms the fact that we are dealing with some angry cancer.

I will do 4 treatments of chemo here in Mt. Pleasant, three week schedule, then we will scan again, and decide where to go from that point. We'll be starting out with Adriamycin ( also known as Red Devil) & Cytoxan.  The nausea meds are all ready on order!

EKG & Echo Cardiogram show that the heart is strong enough to withstand this chemo. Yay!

The port was inserted Wednesday morning in Cleburne. Bonus visit with Clint & Martha Twaddell!
Thank you both for taking us in on such short notice, and Martha for measuring my noggin for the wig!  The hospital & staff in Cleburne were absolutely top notch!

I've gotten the wig ordered, and lots of turbans & ginger ale lined up. Think I'll also try green apples. That was a neat little sea sickness cure we picked up over Christmas.

Lots of naps are on schedule from now until Tuesday.

I'll keep you posted, please keep praying!

Getting it all together

I saw Dr. Syed this morning, and here is the short list of what I'm facing:

1. PET scan Tuesday AM
2. EKG asap. The chemo is some nasty stuff, have to make sure my heart is up to it!
3. Wednesday AM  Follow up with Dr. Syed to get staging stats.
4. Port inserted asap. I'm going to request the biggest, baddest one they have!
5. Genetic testing started this morning. There's a pretty good chance those genes are involved in this    
    mess.
6. Dr. Syed is getting in touch with MD Anderson to see if I'm a candidate for any possible clinical
    trials that might be beneficial.
7. Get this chemo started! To the tune of Get This Party Started!!!!

All kidding aside, I'm ready to do what it takes to get this nasty beast out of me for good.

I"M BAAAAACK!!!!!

Well, hello friends! It's been quiet a while since we spoke last. Just wanted to let you all know that I'm back. Not by choice, but by necessity.

I've recently been diagnosed with grade 3, Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. It's tasted positive for Lymphovascular Invasion, and has been found to be Triple Negative.

In easy to understand terms, I'm dealing with an aggressive, hard to treat breast cancer.
I'm scheduled to see my trusty Oncologist, Dr. Syed on Monday morning. We should know more after that appointment. Will there be scans, radiology, chemo? Your guess is as good as mine!

This new cancer is in no way related to what I went through 12 years ago. It is a new primary.  My Mother always said I was an overachiever. I've spent the last 12 years running from the idea that I was cancer girl.

Please keep me in your prayers and I'll keep you posted.