The latest...
BC medication -- No side effects yet. Of course, it's only been about 2 weeks.
Derm update -- Both biopsies were just mildly atypical with clear margins. Stevie took my stitches out last week. No further treatment.
Next appointments are all on Jan. 5th --
Sarcoma:
MRI of knee
CT of chest
Doctor(s) visit
BC:
Lupron injection #2
Blood labs
Doctor(s) visit
Last post of the year... All is well... Happy holidays!
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Medication
Quick update, as I am exhausted...
1) Post-op was flawless. Green light to work out!
2) Derm visit went as expected... just had two planned biopsies. Results & sutures out in 10 days (just via phone call / Stevie can remove stitches).
3) Medication (for breast cancer) discussion was a bit more involved...
Tamoxifen is totally off the table. Because it acts as an estrogen in the uterus and could possibly stimulate new fibroids, my medical oncologist feels that it's not the best option for me. Luckily, there is another route I can take... thanks to THIS study that was recently published.
So, I am going to be taking an aromatase inhibitor (a daily pill that lowers estrogen levels by stopping an enzyme in fat tissue) plus monthly ovarian suppression injections (my ovaries will go to sleep and stop producing estrogen). This will throw me into temporary, chemical menopause (hot flashes, night sweats, and more)... plus I may experience fun side-effects like joint pain and bone loss. Learn more about aromatase inhibitors HERE and ovarian suppression HERE.
I had my first injection today... and start my oral meds tomorrow. And still, I must be on these medications for two years before we can think about fertility.
1) Post-op was flawless. Green light to work out!
2) Derm visit went as expected... just had two planned biopsies. Results & sutures out in 10 days (just via phone call / Stevie can remove stitches).
3) Medication (for breast cancer) discussion was a bit more involved...
Tamoxifen is totally off the table. Because it acts as an estrogen in the uterus and could possibly stimulate new fibroids, my medical oncologist feels that it's not the best option for me. Luckily, there is another route I can take... thanks to THIS study that was recently published.
So, I am going to be taking an aromatase inhibitor (a daily pill that lowers estrogen levels by stopping an enzyme in fat tissue) plus monthly ovarian suppression injections (my ovaries will go to sleep and stop producing estrogen). This will throw me into temporary, chemical menopause (hot flashes, night sweats, and more)... plus I may experience fun side-effects like joint pain and bone loss. Learn more about aromatase inhibitors HERE and ovarian suppression HERE.
I had my first injection today... and start my oral meds tomorrow. And still, I must be on these medications for two years before we can think about fertility.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Upcoming appointments
Mon, Dec 7th -- 3 month skin check with 2 planned biopsies.
Tues, Dec 8th -- post-op and Tamoxifen discussion.
No, I still haven't started Tamoxifen. Here is my conundrum... The drug acts as an anti-estrogen in breast tissue, but it acts like an estrogen in the uterus. Endometrial and uterine cancer are potential side effects. I have already had two open myomectomies for uterine fibroids -- miserable surgeries. I am a little afraid the drug will cause me another growth or worse. Plus, my grandmother actually had uterine cancer. HOWEVER, this drug is key to reducing my risk of bc recurrence. So, right now I am trying to figure out which risk I want to take... and I am running out of time! Feels like a lose-lose.
-----
YEAR IN REVIEW:
2 cancer diagnoses
1 troublesome fibroid
58 doses of radiation
7 radiation tattoos :)
5 operations with general anesthesia
8 nights in the hospital
3 trips to the ER
countless biopsies
countless imaging
countless blood labs & injections
countless tedious appointments
countless scars on my body
countless hours of frustration, pain, worry
countless drives to Seattle and back
and many, many, MANY dollars spent
2016... I see you!
Tues, Dec 8th -- post-op and Tamoxifen discussion.
No, I still haven't started Tamoxifen. Here is my conundrum... The drug acts as an anti-estrogen in breast tissue, but it acts like an estrogen in the uterus. Endometrial and uterine cancer are potential side effects. I have already had two open myomectomies for uterine fibroids -- miserable surgeries. I am a little afraid the drug will cause me another growth or worse. Plus, my grandmother actually had uterine cancer. HOWEVER, this drug is key to reducing my risk of bc recurrence. So, right now I am trying to figure out which risk I want to take... and I am running out of time! Feels like a lose-lose.
-----
YEAR IN REVIEW:
2 cancer diagnoses
1 troublesome fibroid
58 doses of radiation
7 radiation tattoos :)
5 operations with general anesthesia
8 nights in the hospital
3 trips to the ER
countless biopsies
countless imaging
countless blood labs & injections
countless tedious appointments
countless scars on my body
countless hours of frustration, pain, worry
countless drives to Seattle and back
and many, many, MANY dollars spent
2016... I see you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)