Treatment Plan

Short Version:  4 treatments of chemo... 3 weeks apart starting Sept 4th, then 37 daily treatments (5 days a week) of radiation, followed by 5 years of Arimidex.

Long Version:
Dr. Quakenbush shared the study results with us this morning.   My tumor is Estrogen and Progesterone receptive.  The characteristic of this tumor also have  a 22% chance of recurrence throughout my body.  Chemo would lower that by a 3rd. Because it is hormone receptive the 5 years of hormone treatment  is strongly recommended.  Radiation is to eradicate all the possible suspicious cancer cells that may be lurking in my right breast.

We were very pleased with the information we received and feel confident we have chosen the right course of action.  My young age (52) encouraged me to agree to the chemo.  Three months of a little misery and inconvenience is worth the insurance that I will have an increased chance to have the opportunity to enjoy our retirement years, and any possible grandchildren (should any of my kids decide to have kids).

Chemotherapy begins tomorrow 9/4/09 at 10:00 A.M.  the drugs of choice are taxotere & cytoxan.  It will take 4 hours to administer.   All the usual side affects  are indicated for these.  They say they have it all figured out how to control nausea and vomiting.  We shall see.  

Hair loss is a given.  (apparently in about 10-14 days)  I have made an appointment with my hairdresser to get a shorter cut next Wednesday.   That might help with the freak out factor! :)   I also have an appointment with a gal recommended for wig advice tomorrow at 9:00 A.M.   All the cancer caps and scarf treatments I have seen still look like cancer caps. Marti H. (Oncology Community Coordinator) shared a scarf with me and showed me what it looks like then you tie it on.  She is very enthusiastic about the scarf approach.  She did say that most teachers opt for the wig because it reduce the questions from students.  As a substitute teacher  that might be something to consider.   I just don't know.  What will be the best fit for me?  Part of me just want to go bald.   It might be cooler (a hot flash remedy :), but I might have a really ugly head and it might be disturbing to others.  I don't even like the way I look with a wet head.  hmmmmm.  May be I should get a wig in a hair style I have always wanted, but couldn't do because of my uncooperative hair.   I also thought about getting a bunch of new hats and just have fun with hats.   That seems like a lot of work.  One wig....lots of hats.     Could be fun though....    There are so many decision.  I just want to take a nap :)

Other possible side effects:
Fatigue: caused by either low red count (anemia) and/ asthena- total body toxicity
Low blood white count:  Which causes a risk for infection-- I need to take my temp twice a day with my very own thermometer...no sharing :)
Numbness in fingers and toes- will go away after treatment
Burning in mouth
Brittle Fingernails --- dang, I was hoping it would strengthen my nails --- I have always had brittle and wimpy nails
Constipation/diarrhea  --wonder which this will be---can you have both? 

The Arimidex is one of the newer drugs on the "market" for hormone receptive tumors. This would start after Chemo and Radiation. It is more easily tolerated than tomoxifen and has less side affects.  It has two side affects that put me off.  Bone loss is one, Dr. Q assured me that they monitor bone density throughout the treatment and make indicated  adjustments to treatment or add other drugs to prevent bone loss.     The other is joint pain.  He told us that regular exercise is the best remedy for that.  It works... if you do it.   That would be good for my general health. I hope I can follow thru on that for 5 years.

If all goes well we should be done with Chemo and Radiation by mid January.  This is great!  We have a wonderful opportunity to accompany some great friends (Tim  & Karen Albert) to Hawaii around MLK Day.   We are planning to accept this invitation, it will be a great thing to look forward to, and wonderful respite from treatment and winter.   We are praying I will be free to go, we can gather the funds, and I will be up to enjoying it!  Dr. Q says we must go! :)