Chemo time!

Since my last post I have done very well with recovery from surgery. To date I have received 3 fill ups in my tissue expanders and will have at least one more on 12/23. I have felt really good and returned to work on December 8. This was just 4 weeks after my double mastectomy. 

I also had a birthday on December 9. This particular birthday was more humble for me considering the fact that cancer could have taken my life. 

On Thursday, Dec 11 I had my first visit with oncology. It was a very informative appointment. I learned that in addition to the ER/PR/HER status of my cancer there is also another level that is checked which is the Ki67 level and mine was 36. This level indicates that my cancer was one that multiplied rapidly.  Below I will show a couple of pictures I took while Dr. Gian was explaining everything to me. This made understanding much easier for me. It may not make much sense to you but I am putting them here for me to refer back to.  

The first picture explains how the biology of my cancer is determined as well as the receptor results. 

The picture below is the flow of my treatment plan. 

Up to now the surgery and recovery have been an easy path to travel. I know that is largely due to answered prayers that have been lifted by many many people. Now, the rubber meets the road. The oncology appointment and all of the information given to me is a bit overwhelming. From Friday, 12/12 to Thursday, I have 8 appointments for various things. Three of these appointments were elective for educational and assistance as provided by the ABC program through YMCA.  Here is a glimpse of my week. 

Friday, 12/12 - evaluation by lymphedema therapist for baseline and education

Monday, 12/15 - 9:20 GYN appointment, 2:45 Chemo learning class (and I will say I learned everything I NEVER wanted to know about chemo

Tuesday, 12/16 - 8:30 expander fill appt, 2:00 Wig bank appt with ABC -got wig, 3:00 eval with dietician for ABC Program

Wednesday, 12/17 - 12:45 first chemo treatment

Thursday, 12/18 - 7:00am PET scan

Let me tell a little about chemo teaching. The chemo nurse gave me a tour of the chemo treatment area and explained how things would flow during my treatments. This is when reality really hit that I am actually going through this. She explained each medication I would receive and the sequence they would be given in. She went over all possible side effects that could occur with each drug along with everything I should watch for and what to do in the event they happened.  Yes I will lose my hair and this generally happens between 7-14 days after the first treatment. The nurse advised the you can usually know when your hair will come out because you have a scalp pain not like a headache. This is indication that the hair cells are dying resulting in hair loss soon. Many people choose to go ahead and shave their head at that point. 

So my next big decision is do I want to shave my head this weekend or wait and see if I can keep my hair for Christmas and shave it after Christmas?  In either choice, all I want for Christmas is head wraps, hats and scarves.  So that I don't shock anyone when walking in at Christmas events, I will likely play the waiting game and shave after Christmas. If that doesn't work, I got a really pretty wig today. 

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Healthy New Year with love and peace!

Sherry