Genetic Testing Results & Chemo #5

I was NOT positive for the BRCA1 or 2 gene mutations.  So my genetic counselor gave me some info on a research study done by the lady that found the two previous genes.  She is currently looking & identifying other gene mutations related to breast cancer and my family would be eligible for her study because we have at least 4 occurances of breast cancer on the same side of the family.  So, I've emailed all involved to see if they are interested in particpating.  It would help others done the road and I think that's important.

I also had Chemo 5 with a little side effect to the Taxol..but nothing major.  Still feeling pretty good and planning to go back to work soon.

Other than that..we've been getting ready for xmas..went and chopped down a little tree the other day and getting ready to decorate it. 
Hope everyone is doing well!  Love, Laura

Chuggin Along...

I hope everyone had a yummygoodfantastic Thanksgiving!  I am definitely thankful for all of my friends and family old and new.  You truly know how much they mean to you when things get rough...thank you everyone!  And special thanks to Aunt Sandy and Mom for helping sooooo much before, during and after the move.  We never could have done it without you!

Well, we are done moving for now and slowly getting used to a new routine.  Chemo last week was a breeze because it was just Herceptin which only takes 30 minutes to drip.  Tomorrow I will meet with the oncologist up here in Truckee and hopefully switch to getting my chemo up here..10 minutes away!  That will help alot when I start back to work.  I'm thinking of going back to work Dec 12 or so.  Also, I went in to get my genetic testing done to see if I am positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. Should find that out in the next few days.

I started losing my hair, so I just had Chris shave my head....photo follows.....hahaha

ok..sorry for the delayed post

We've just been sooo busy getting ready to move along with everything else..it's just crazy!  We had a great day yesterday in Sacramento!  We went to see another oncologist at UCDavis and she was great!  She had a way of explaining everything that really made sense to all of us (Chris, Mom, Sandy) and she answered so many of our questions.  The most important thing she said was that my cancer, spreading only to my bones and not my organs, is not life threatening anymore.  There have been so many breakthroughs in recent years in breast cancer that I'm really lucky to have some of the treatments available today.  Thanks to all the women before me that participated in clinical trials for these new drugs.  I believe I will be able to manage my cancer for the rest of the my life due to the women that suffered through this before me.


She thought that the current treatment that I am on is absolutely cutting edge and suggested that I get genetic testing ASAP to see if I am positive for the BRCA gene.  Apparently there are some very promising clinical  trials right now for women that are positive and I would be eligible if positive.  Also, I think that I am going to change my treatment location to the cancer center in Truckee.  It is a part of the UCDavis center and is just so much more convenient for my treatments. 


We were all so elated after the appointment, we celebrated at a microbrewery in downtown Sacramento for lunch and then went to IKEA to shop.  After that we went and bought a new bed..mmmm comfy!


Also, I am pretty sure that the transfer to Las Vegas will work out just fine...so I'll be able to go back to work soon.  All in all, good stuff!  We are moving on Thursday and excited to be living in the house we were married in.  Thanks to Charles and Annica!


Will post again tomorrow after Chemo and my genetic testing appointment!  Love, Laura

Chemo #2 done!

Once again I feel pretty good. I switched infusion rooms and I like the new one alot better..it is located in my Oncologists office so I don't have to go to 2 places each chemo day. They don't have internet though..that's kind of a bummer. I get pre meds which include an anti nausea, a steroid, and benedryl (sleepy time)..all to help with side effects. They take about 45 minutes. Then I get the "evil" Taxol 3 weeks on 1 week off(that's the stuff that will make my hair fall out)..that takes about 45 minutes. Then Herceptin (30 min) and every 3 weeks I get Zometa for my bones (30min). That's my treatment right now every week except as noted above.

Monday I have an appointment with an oncologist at UC Davis for a second opinion.

And hopefully I will be able to go back to work soon if I get transferred to Las Vegas.

Mom and Sandy are here and we are packing for the move to Truckee. 
Once again THANK YOU to everyone for your support!  I love to hear your encouraging comments..keep it up!!

Just a quick note....

to let you all know that I am still feeling good this morning. Maybe it's because having the chemo weekly is a smaller dosage each week than if I were to get it every 21 days or so. I'm going to clean now that I have to energy!

Chemo #1 Down

Well, it really wasn't that bad..I had no side effects today and wasn't too tired when I was done..so I think in the future I will be able to drive myself. THANK YOU AMBER!! for taking me today..it sure did turn into an unexpected long day. We didn't know the 1st treatment was the longest, slowest, etc.
Had a nice dinner and have energy right now..it seems it will be a matter of time until some of the side effects creep in.
Doc is not sure right now how many weeks this will last..we'll see..it's just going to be a chronic disease to deal with for a long time but I think I can do it!
Thanks again to everyone for all your support! I am a very lucky gal to have such wonderful friends and family.

Finally! Bring on the Herceptin!!

Ya know..it's hard to know what the "right" thing to do is because I really don't think there is a "right" way with this mess that I'm in. So I've decided to possibly forfeit some clinical trials right now and go ahead with some treatment. Wednesday will be my first Chemo! What "cocktail" you ask? Well, it's Herceptin and Taxol weekly..not sure how many weeks..I guess they will be checking all along to see if it's working. I still have alot of questions for my oncologist but I have to see him on Wednesday anyway. They are going to do this first one with an I.V. and I will get my port in on Monday, so I'll have it for my next treatment.

OK folks...here's the deal!

After digesting all this new info and researching a bunch, I'm thinking that I need to do something NOW. The appointment with the UCDavis Oncologist is gonna take at least a week and personally I just don't fell comfortable waiting any longer to start attacking this shit!

From all my research and talking to my doctors..I have taken this away from it. Because my cancer is HER2 positive, the antibody drug Herceptin is the latest and most effective and is what I feel I need to start right away. I believe it has only been approved by the FDA in the last 5 yrs (?) and has proven to be very effective.

Being in Stage IV, a patient would be much more interested in clinical trials of drugs not yet approved by the FDA b/c there isn't alot of improvement in prognosis at this stage. So basically people are willing to try whatever. The qualification for these clinical trials are pretty strict and by starting Herceptin now, it may disqualify me for some trials. There are probably others I can get into later....

I'm am currently looking at these clinical trials on the National Cancer Institute, MD Anderson, UC Davis, Stanford websites. Clinical trials are headed by different entities such as certain Universities, Pharmacutical companies, etc. They also come in 4 Phases (I,II III, IV). I am also looking into any complementary treatments, nutrition, etc.

If anyone wants to look into different things for me..Iam open to suggestions..here are my stats and if you need any more just let me know.

I am Stage IV Breast Cancer with metastisis in one node and in my sternum and pelvis/lower back. It is HER2 Positive, Estrogen Positive, and Progesterone Positive (triple positive). I've had a Lumpectomy and an Node Dissection.

Let me know what you think! We all have to just think positive and go a this thing like its a big challenge to overcome! So GO GETUM!

There should be a prize....

for going from Stage II to Stage IV as fast as I did! I guess the bone biopsy came out with some carcinoma so....it has spread to my bones. Bummer! Who'd have thought! I'm a bit tired right now..so in short, we are going to see another oncologist/hematologist at U.C. Davis just to have her opinion as well have her explain a couple of studies they are doing there that may be something we want to consider. As far as I understand it, as long as it stays in the bones, then we're in pretty good shape. It's gonna be a long haul..aggresive treatment...etc. Well, that's it or now..I'm drained at the moment..more later.

Sorry, I've been sleeping for the last 15 hrs!

So I had to go in and get a bone biopsy as my FB friends probably already know. My Oncologist and my Radiologist could not be sure that the places on my bones that had irregularities were solely related to old traumas even after the 3 hr MRI results. So they scheduled my biopsy for the very next morning (yesterday). It was an outpatient procedure, they put me out for it, and they took a sample of my sternum bone. It was a CT guided biopsy so I was in a CT scan machine so they could find the right place to stick the needle in and get some bone! It just feels like a sore bruise today. Thank you Kate!! for driving me down to Reno on such short notice.

We should have results hopefully on Monday and hopefully there will be no sign of cancer there and we can get on with Chemo! Yippy! I think my veins are going to collapse soon!

I have an appointment with my Oncologist Dr. Reddy on Tuesday so we can get down to business!

Stay tuned!

Scans Scans and MRI's

Well, Bone Scan and CT Scan is done..but doc called this morning and saw something he wasn't expecting. He asked if I had ever had trauma to my lower back (which I have..remember that snowboarding incident with the tree? fractured pelvis and all). Anyway, he wants to be sure that the abnormalities on my Bone Scan are specifically from trauma so he's ordering an MRI. Hopefully that will indicate trauma or else I will have to have a biopsy..and I'm thinkin a biopsy of the bones CAN NOT be a good feeling thing. Ugh!

On a lighter note...I think this is one of the funniest Halloween costumes ever!

This Week

I will have my Bone Scan and a CT Scan done to make sure that there is no other cancer in my bones or the rest of my body. I believe that my oncologist wants my first Chemo treatment to be near the end of the month..so I will have to make an appt to get my port "installed" - haha

Unfortunately, I still have my drain :-( That's getting old! However, I think they will take it out on Monday or Tuesday. I can't wait!

Overwhelmed!

Sorry for the delay in writing. I just had to get it all a little clearer in my mind. So much information in one day! Here's the latest as far as I understand it right now.

The next thing to happen after my drain comes out and I have healed a bit better (2 weeks) is Chemotherapy. I will get a Bone Scan as well as CT Scan. Then I will have a chemo port "installed" in me and will most likely have chemo every 21 days for 6 cycles. I have a form of cancer called HER2-Positive which in an aggressive kind that does not respond well to Hormone Treatment. But there is a drug called Herceptin, an anti-body, .. that has done well with the HER2. This drug will be administered along with my chemotherapy drugs, but it has to be administered much longer (1 year). So as I understand it I will have to keep the port for the duration of the Herceptin treatment. I think also there will be some Hormone Therapy pills that I will have to take.

Once the Chemo is done (I'm thinking by the end of Feb or beginning of March), I will start Radiation Treatment. That will be 5 days a week M-F for about 7 weeks.

I'm still researching alot of this myself..but that's the best I have right now.
I'm having a few problems with my drain, so we are going to see the doc tomorrow.

Great News!

The pathology results from the 2nd surgery show no other signs of cancer! So, I think we're in good shape. Will post again tomorrow after my doc appts.
Thanks for tuning in!

Drainy Drain Drain Drain....

Well, I wasn't expecting the 2nd surgery to be so much different from the 1st, but it was. I'm much better now and don't have to take the pain pills quite as much. The drain is a hinderance but not the end of the world by any means.

Was supposed to go see the surgeon today but it was too soon to get the drain out so he just told me to stay home and come on Friday. So hopefully I can get it out on Friday because I am going home to St. Louis this weekend and spending the week with all my YaYa sisters!! Ya Ya!!

Even if I can't have it out, I will just go with it in and have a good time anyway!
So, Wednesday is the next big Dr. day to get some news! Will keep you posted!

Surgery #2 Done!

Well, today they took out a "range" of lymnodes (node dissection) and will again test them to see if any more of them have cancer. I have a drain this time and can't take a shower for awhile and I'm not allowed to lift anything over 15lbs for 3 weeks. Now it's crampin my style a bit!! So I guess I'm not going back to work as soon as I thought.
My Aunt Sandy came in from St. Louis to help out with going to Dr. appointments. Chris went to my 1st surgery and again today. He has been absolutely wonderful throughout this whole thing and is my best friend and supporter as always (I am very lucky to have him!), but unfortunately he still has to bring home the bacon. We thought it would be a good idea to have someone to go with me when Chris can't so we have more "ears" in the room when talking with the docs. Thank you Chris and Aunt Sandy! Mom will be coming later when treatments start.
We will be meeting with my surgeon on Monday, so hopefully we will have the pathology report back by then. And then on Wednesday, we meet with my Medical Oncologist and my Radiation Oncologist. I am hoping that we will get lots of info next week!

A Small 2mm Setback....

My surgeon called today with the pathology results from my surgery. If you remember from a previous post, there was a 20% chance they would find something after surgery and it turns out I do have a small bit that spread into one of my lymphnodes. Lucky me! haha So we will schedule another surgery so he can go in and take that bit out. He said it is even quicker than the last surgery so no big deal.

Also, he will refer me to a medical and a radiation oncologist so we can plan out the rest of the treatment. I will post more when I have my next surgery date.

Still feeling pretty good..

Just a little sore is all. I am certain now that I will be able to slowly get all those pesky household chores done that I have lined up!

For some reason, there is not an option to leave a comment on my previous post..I am still working on it and am posting today in hopes it will fix itself.

Thanks again everybody! I will let you know when I find out anything new. XO Laura

Doing Great!

Out of surgery and back home. A little groggy and sore but no big deal. The surgeon said that the test they did on the lymphnode did not show any more cancer. Great News of course! That quick test is generally 80% accurate. They do test the tissue further and we should know the results of that on Tuesday.

Also have to make an appointment to see the surgeon again in 2 weeks. Really like him alot too!

Once again...a BIG THANK YOU..to all of you for the messages and phone calls of support! I really enjoy hearing from you!!

Will update again when I hear more. Until then...

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow

(no..I didn't come up with that. lol)

That which makes you stronger!

Vacation was great! Had such a good time visiting with old friends and soaking up the island vibe! I pretty much forgot about my lump!

I would like to thank everyone so much for all your thoughts, emails, and calls. It's so nice to hear and feel everyone's positive energy!

Back to reality! One more day of work, then on Tuesday I go in for a pre-admission appointment for my surgery on Friday. All I know about the surgery so far is that they will be doing a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy and a possible axillary node dissection. They will just take out the lump + a bit around it to leave a clear margin and a sample of lymphnodes. While I am still under..they will do a quick test to see if the cancer has spread and take out more if needed.

They will do more lab work on the removed tissue after the surgery to determine what the next steps will be as far as treatment (chemo, radiation). The oncologist will decide on the treatment and I will meet with him/her in the near future I'm sure.

So, I am posting a video that I came across on Facebook that I really related to. It means so many things really..but the reason I am posting it is because naturally we do not wish to see our loved ones go through rough times. I believe that all that worry, dread, and anxiety should rather be channeled into the strength and growth that will blossom out of the tough patch. Sometimes, whether it's voluntary or not, you have to experience things that aren't necessarily pleasant, but force you to accept and grow. You can reluctantly accept them or welcome them as a challenge and adventure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ky6vgQfU24

Surgery Date

September 11

Just a quick update to let you know the date of surgery. Once again it is outpatient..so I will be home the same day in my own bed with my animals (husband included! haha).

Surgeon Says.....

it's small and early! Good news. And what a nice guy! We really liked him. I just need to decide what type of surgery to have, most likely a lumpectomy, and then schedule it. He said that there is no problem with going on our vacation to Hawaii on the 25th so I will schedule it for when we return from that.

We were surprised to find out that it is done "outpatient". He will take the lump out as well as some surrounding tissue and a sample of lymph nodes. They will do a quick test while I am still under anesthesia to make sure they got everything and determine whether or not is has spread to the lymph nodes. From all of this tissue that they remove and test in a lab, a final pathology report will result. This report will determine the "recipe" for my chemo/radiation. Most likely, I will have chemotherapy 6 weeks after the surgery and then radiation.

So, all in all, we were very pleased.

Introduction

Welcome to my blog! I've created it to keep friends and family updated on my progress through my newly discovered breast cancer. Yep. Nothing new to my mom's side of the family though. My maternal grandmother had it at an early age (early 40's) and eventually died from the disease, and as many of you know, my own mother had it also at the age of 60. She however is doing great! And my cousin on my mom's side also had it young and is doing fine.

I discovered a lump on my right side of my right breast after feeling a recurring shooting pain there. After a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy it was confirmed. I really don't know a whole lot more than that yet. I have an appointment today with a surgeon and I am armed with lots of questions.

If anyone has any comments, questions, or ideas, this is the place! It's just much more practical and kinda fun too!