The Latest and Greatest

OK, so the plan is set.

To start this blog off I would like everyone to know that I am officially CANCER FREE! The hard part to handle is that there is still a lot of treatment to do in order to make sure the beast does not return. It's going to be a long road and a slightly longer road then we originally thought.

I met with my oncologist last Friday and I will be receiving 4 cycles (1 day for 2 hours a day every other week) of adriamycin/cytoxan which will last a total of 8 weeks. The adriamycin will be followed by 12 weeks (1 day for 2 hours a day each week) of taxol. Chemotherapy will be completed after a total of 20 weeks if everything goes well. My chemotherapy begins on November 8th, 2010.

I also met with a radiologist as recommended by my oncologist. Due to my family history, age and the location and receptors of my cancer my team has recommended that I also receive 6 weeks of radiation after a 3 week break from chemo. Radiation will take place daily for 10 minutes (longer for set up than actual radiation time) for 33 sessions. Brandon and I have been asking tons of questions and challenging our doctors but we really feel that this plan is necessary to give me the highest likelihood that I will remain cancer free and live a long and healthy life. There is always a chance of recurrence but by taking all of these precautions we bring the percentage of recurrence down to the bare minimum.

Thank you everyone for your support. The battle will get harder but the most important part is over...the cancer is gone!

Thank you everyone who has volunteered to help with the care calender, Lisa has been working hard to keep it updated. I will give her the latest diet information so that it is up to date. Go to www.carecalendar.org
Calendar ID : 52786, Security Code : 1332 if you would like to help out.

Update with a TWIST

Many of you have heard through the grape vine or phone tree or facebook that my surgery was a success! Thank you so much for everyone who visited, prayed, sent flowers or cards, walked the walk or just sent good vibes my way! It WORKED! 

My surgery was scheduled outside normal hours for both of my surgeons so there were lots of extra perks that helped keep me comfortable and relaxed before the mastectomy and reconstruction. I was one of the lucky few who got to have all of my family and friends in with me for pre-op and post-op. Dr. Hernandez did excellent work with the double mastectomy and there was no cancer found in my lymph nodes. Dr. Finkel was able to complete reconstruction to both breasts. Both surgeries were completed quickly and efficiently. Good-bye cancer! 

I was hospitalized overnight for observation and all of the staff were amazing! Everyone was impressed with how well I was recuperating (to pat myself on the back one last time) and were excited to see me up and moving the first day. I was released early Sunday morning and have been recuperating with the help of friends, family and a little pain medication. My mom has been amazing. She has been cleaning,  making sure that I follow doctors orders and giving me lots of LOVE. Luckily Mike, Millie and Lynne have dropped off food because sadly, cooking is not a skill she excels at. Brandon has been a rock and has been putting up with my mom and me and all of our repeat stories. I think he misses watching football with Geoff but Geoff will be back this weekend. 

I have been having a slight allergic reaction to one of my medications which is causing a rash. As we know, everything happens for a reason so when I went to see Dr. Finkel on Monday to check on the rash she removed my drainage bags...early! She also changed my medication and we are waiting to see if there are any changes to the rash. 

I have been waiting to update the blog because I had an appointment scheduled today with my oncologist. Unfortunately, he hasn't received my full pathology work up from my surgery so we can't talk turkey. I will see him next Friday to find out what chemotherapy drugs I will be receiving and when we will begin treatment. But don't worry there is still a ton to be done before then. I will have a heart test done to see if I'm strong enough for chemo (which we all know I am), a petscan to make sure that the cancer didn't spread outside of the breast, a follow up with Dr. Finkel and an appointment with a fertility doctor to see if I can hide away some eggs/embryos for a rainy day (chemotherapy can cause infertility and I know I want and WILL have a family someday).

So keep me in your thoughts and prayers because it's working so far! I appreciate everything and wish that I could get back to every email, post, text, card or call because I LOVE you all SO much! Thank You!

Surgery

Thank you everyone for all of your well wishes, prayers and support. I am so lucky to have amazing friends and family at this difficult time. Thankfully, everyone is moving quickly and I have my surgery scheduled for this Saturday, October 9th. The surgery will take place at Chandler Regional at 7:00 a.m.

This week will be my last week of work for a while so that I can recover from surgery and get ready for chemotherapy. I am very grateful to have become part of a staff that is so understanding and supportive. My principal has been very helpful and sincere. I am so lucky to have expanded my support system with my new friends at Walker Butte!

Please continue to send positive thoughts and prayers my way...