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.