So the chemo/targeted therapy I'll be receiving this time is TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin)
It is one of the standards of care for Hormone Receptor Negative, HER2 + tumors.
It also allows me to avoid additional Adriamycin. That evil red devil has a lifetime maximum dosage due to irreversible heart damage. Several of the drugs in my regimen can also cause heart issues but thankfully they are reversible. Because of that I once again had a MUGA heart scan prior to starting treatment and will have those repeated every 3 months. If numbers decline too much, treatment will be delayed so that heart can improve. I've read a lot about the issues and as such have increased my CoQ10 (which I've been taking since mom's open heart surgery).
First round of chemo took a little longer than I had hoped but that was partly due to some issues with my Medi-Port. My nurse's educated guess was probably residual scar tissue from my previous chemo. The solution was easy enough I was placed on a pump and the only inconvenience was unplugging it every time I needed to use the washroom. Thankfully Chemo Buddy Lorrie is excellent at plug work.
I really noticed next to nothing with the Taxotere and Carboplatin (the two chemo drugs). When it came time to push the Herceptin (the targeted monoclonal antibody) the first infusion is slowed down (much like my initial Rituxan) I noticed some muscle aches and flushed a little bit.
The best news from this go at Chemo is the biomedical engineering advancement with Neulasta. Thank goodness my insurance is covering the Neulasta OnPro which is a medial device that will give me the Neulasta infusion in the comfort of my own home. So far it seems to be working as advertised. A little green light lets me know the connection is still good. (I had it placed on belly because I'm a side sleeper and back of arm was other option)www.nuelasta.com
Side effects are seeming pretty good today. Although being an advanced patient, I've been using lots of lessons learned before. I started the Zofran 12 hours post pre-meds. I still woke around 2 am feeling nauseous so I supplemented with the Compazine. Better safe than sorry I think for the next few days. The good news is I haven't noticed the headache I had with the Zofran last time.
Goal for today. Lots of hydration, fiber and rest and relaxation.
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Here we go again. Cancer 2.0
I've been struggling with deciding whether or not to continue with this blog now that I have been diagnosed with a second cancer. But this past weekend I received a wonderful message from a fellow Lymphoma fighter and I'm going to take that as a sign that yes indeed this is the right place to blog about my new diagnosis. Especially since I've had a hard time finding other cancer survivors in my position.
I'll keep this post brief as today I actually head back to Genesys Hurley Cancer Institute for my first round of chemo.
Here's the timeline:
Jan 30 - I was getting a pre-vacation bikini wax (TMI?) my technician noticed my lymphoma survivor tattoo and we started discussing cancer. Her mother had recently passed from a melanoma. I told her my story of craving sweets the summer before my lymphoma diagnosis. When I got home that night I realized I had been eating more sweets (afternoon chocolate with my coffee). So I did a breast self exam and low and behold I found a lump. We were leaving on vacation so tried to put in the back of my mind, knowing I'd call for appointment as so as I returned.
Feb 15 - my GP wanted to see me before ordering a Diagnostic Mammogram. She felt the same lump and scheduled a Mammogram with Diagnostic Ultra Sound for the next day.
Feb 16- Mammogram and Ultra Sound confirmed lump and we got ready to schedule Biopsy. (I'm now splitting time between Canada and Michigan so scheduling has been interesting this time around)
March 1 - Biopsy (unlike last time this one was not vacuum assisted I guess it is used less now)
March 5 - Diagnosis Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Grade 3
March 9 - Bless her heart my favorite breast surgeon was able to get me in asap. Linsey Gold is amazing! Of course she remembered me, she's only found two lymphomas in the breast. At that visit I was given more information about my tumor. Small only 1.9 cm but at that point the markers where indication Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Which meant Chemo would be necessary no matter what. Her suggested treatment was a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. With my 50th birthday just about a month away, Hubby and I had a European cruise/vacation scheduled for Easter Week. I did not want to miss it but also did not want to delay trip. This amazing surgeon squeezed me in for surgery the following Friday. That way I'd be at Day 14 post surgery for our trip and Chemo really wouldn't be delayed as they usually wait for surgery to heal before scheduling.
March 14 - I had appointments at the cancer institute with Radiation Oncologist and my new oncologist (Dr Black has retired). Good news came that day follow-up testing on my tumor (FISH) indicated that I qualified for HER2+ so no longer considered triple negative. There is a target therapy called Herceptin that has good results with HER2+ tumors. My new oncologist agreed I should avoid chemo containing Adriamycin since I've had close to lifetime amount. So my new treatment will be TCH (I'll do a post on that maybe from chemo chair today).
March 16 - I had my lumpectomy at Troy -Beaumount. Pre-op nurse there joked that "Girl it's like you've been struck by lightning twice". Yes indeed I'm super special.😜😜😜. Procedure was simple and honestly not too painful. I only used Codeine for the first day post op. Issues from the sentinel node biopsy caused more discomfort than the lumpectomy. More strange tingling weird numbness kind of issues.
March 19 - Was a good news bad news day. My uncle passed from Pancreatic Cancer (truly one of the most vicious cancers) but I received lots of good news from the lumpectomy. Tumor was indeed only 1.9cm and all margins came back clear. None of the 6 lymph nodes showed signs of breast cancer (they did look like lymphoma nodes but both doctors agree that is probably leftover from previous cancer) The tumor confirmed at ER- PR- HER2+. I had also completed the genetic testing for BRCA and it returned as Negative. Great news for a mother of a daughter and several adorable nieces.
March 29-April 7 I had an amazing European Vacation including a cruise on the brand spanking new Symphony of the Seas.
Restored following the trip I was ready to handle two busy weeks of Dr appts and more testing.
MUGA, Port placement and now I'm ready to kick some cancer ass once again.
I'll keep this post brief as today I actually head back to Genesys Hurley Cancer Institute for my first round of chemo.
Here's the timeline:
Jan 30 - I was getting a pre-vacation bikini wax (TMI?) my technician noticed my lymphoma survivor tattoo and we started discussing cancer. Her mother had recently passed from a melanoma. I told her my story of craving sweets the summer before my lymphoma diagnosis. When I got home that night I realized I had been eating more sweets (afternoon chocolate with my coffee). So I did a breast self exam and low and behold I found a lump. We were leaving on vacation so tried to put in the back of my mind, knowing I'd call for appointment as so as I returned.
Feb 15 - my GP wanted to see me before ordering a Diagnostic Mammogram. She felt the same lump and scheduled a Mammogram with Diagnostic Ultra Sound for the next day.
Feb 16- Mammogram and Ultra Sound confirmed lump and we got ready to schedule Biopsy. (I'm now splitting time between Canada and Michigan so scheduling has been interesting this time around)
March 1 - Biopsy (unlike last time this one was not vacuum assisted I guess it is used less now)
March 5 - Diagnosis Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Grade 3
March 9 - Bless her heart my favorite breast surgeon was able to get me in asap. Linsey Gold is amazing! Of course she remembered me, she's only found two lymphomas in the breast. At that visit I was given more information about my tumor. Small only 1.9 cm but at that point the markers where indication Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Which meant Chemo would be necessary no matter what. Her suggested treatment was a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. With my 50th birthday just about a month away, Hubby and I had a European cruise/vacation scheduled for Easter Week. I did not want to miss it but also did not want to delay trip. This amazing surgeon squeezed me in for surgery the following Friday. That way I'd be at Day 14 post surgery for our trip and Chemo really wouldn't be delayed as they usually wait for surgery to heal before scheduling.
March 14 - I had appointments at the cancer institute with Radiation Oncologist and my new oncologist (Dr Black has retired). Good news came that day follow-up testing on my tumor (FISH) indicated that I qualified for HER2+ so no longer considered triple negative. There is a target therapy called Herceptin that has good results with HER2+ tumors. My new oncologist agreed I should avoid chemo containing Adriamycin since I've had close to lifetime amount. So my new treatment will be TCH (I'll do a post on that maybe from chemo chair today).
March 16 - I had my lumpectomy at Troy -Beaumount. Pre-op nurse there joked that "Girl it's like you've been struck by lightning twice". Yes indeed I'm super special.😜😜😜. Procedure was simple and honestly not too painful. I only used Codeine for the first day post op. Issues from the sentinel node biopsy caused more discomfort than the lumpectomy. More strange tingling weird numbness kind of issues.
March 19 - Was a good news bad news day. My uncle passed from Pancreatic Cancer (truly one of the most vicious cancers) but I received lots of good news from the lumpectomy. Tumor was indeed only 1.9cm and all margins came back clear. None of the 6 lymph nodes showed signs of breast cancer (they did look like lymphoma nodes but both doctors agree that is probably leftover from previous cancer) The tumor confirmed at ER- PR- HER2+. I had also completed the genetic testing for BRCA and it returned as Negative. Great news for a mother of a daughter and several adorable nieces.
March 29-April 7 I had an amazing European Vacation including a cruise on the brand spanking new Symphony of the Seas.
Restored following the trip I was ready to handle two busy weeks of Dr appts and more testing.
MUGA, Port placement and now I'm ready to kick some cancer ass once again.
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