Wednesday, February 10, 2010
More tests
My tumor marker has climbed to 98. The Tamoxifen is not working. Dr. Laudi ordered a head CT to check for mets...
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Dealing with Pain
The MRI showed 'no changes'. I had a consult with a Pain Clinic and got a spinal block that is targeting the pain in my right leg. I also started taking Cymbalta which blocks certain pain impulses from the brain. Cymbalta is also used for people with depression and generalized anxiety disorder- which is really just more pain. According to the informational insert, Cymbalta 'helps maintain mental balance.' So, no physical pain plus no mental pain. It's kind-of a 2-for-1 deal.
More pain
I have been having trouble walking and all day my right leg pain has gotten worse. Fearing a potential blood clot, Mark took me to the Mercy ER. Pain meds given and MRI ordered for tomorrow.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Test results and new plan
Today at my appt, Dr. Laudi gave me the results of all my tests. -My tumor markers have gone up to 74.12 (from 43.97 in November).
-the MRI showed my mets had 'significantly improved, but there is quite a bit of residual'
-The PET scan report said the areas in my spine that had radiation were 'resolved,' but I still had diffuse disease. One breast lesion had decreased in size while the axillary lesion had grown.
Plan:
-Stop steroids
-Since Lupron only blocks 90% of estrogen, I would start Femara that would block 100% (estrogen is also found in the adrenal gland, liver and fat). Increased hot flashes were the side effects.
-Radiation to an active area in my ribs
-Zometa in 1 month
-Continue Fentanyl patches with Dilaudid prn
Mark has been reading up on Femara, or more specifically, on the possible side effects of Femara:
-Hot flashes and sweating
-Fatigue and weakness
-Nausea
-Weight loss or weight gain
-Headaches, backaches, joint pain
-blah, blah, blah
-blood clots and chest pain
To me it sounds like more of the same. As you can imagine, Mark is working himself into a tizzy. The fact is, Mark likes estrogen. He believes estrogen is responsible for me looking in his direction, for saying 'I do,' for having babies with him. Even though estrogen is feeding the cancer cells that are trying to take me over, Mark is searching for a loophole to keep estrogen around.
My mother is squeezing my hand and telling me that she would take all of this from me in a second if she could. I know that already without her saying it.
It's a sad thing to watch the people you love- hold on to the past, bargain with the future, or simply resist what is.
Sometimes, I think actually having cancer is easier than the second-hand-cancer all of you got stuck with.
-the MRI showed my mets had 'significantly improved, but there is quite a bit of residual'
-The PET scan report said the areas in my spine that had radiation were 'resolved,' but I still had diffuse disease. One breast lesion had decreased in size while the axillary lesion had grown.
Plan:
-Stop steroids
-Since Lupron only blocks 90% of estrogen, I would start Femara that would block 100% (estrogen is also found in the adrenal gland, liver and fat). Increased hot flashes were the side effects.
-Radiation to an active area in my ribs
-Zometa in 1 month
-Continue Fentanyl patches with Dilaudid prn
Mark has been reading up on Femara, or more specifically, on the possible side effects of Femara:
-Hot flashes and sweating
-Fatigue and weakness
-Nausea
-Weight loss or weight gain
-Headaches, backaches, joint pain
-blah, blah, blah
-blood clots and chest pain
To me it sounds like more of the same. As you can imagine, Mark is working himself into a tizzy. The fact is, Mark likes estrogen. He believes estrogen is responsible for me looking in his direction, for saying 'I do,' for having babies with him. Even though estrogen is feeding the cancer cells that are trying to take me over, Mark is searching for a loophole to keep estrogen around.
My mother is squeezing my hand and telling me that she would take all of this from me in a second if she could. I know that already without her saying it.
It's a sad thing to watch the people you love- hold on to the past, bargain with the future, or simply resist what is.
Sometimes, I think actually having cancer is easier than the second-hand-cancer all of you got stuck with.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Pain returns
Last night I had increased bone pain. I tried everything- soaking in the tub, prn pain meds,... but nothing worked. Mark and I headed for the ER at Mercy Hospital, while my mom and Amy came over to stay with Nan, Larissa, and Amore. It was late and I hated getting everybody all worked up. Mark had spoken with Dr. Laudi, so he called ahead and the ER was expecting us. I had an IV started and got some IV pain meds that did the trick. Dr. Laudi ordered a low dose steroid. I would also have an MRI and PET scan later in the week.
Sure enough, when I got home my mom and sister were cleaning our house.
Sure enough, when I got home my mom and sister were cleaning our house.
Friday, November 20, 2009
:)
Stage IV Breast Cancer is treated like a chronic disease. Treatments are tried and continued as long as they are effective. Cancer cells can adapt and change as they try to preserve their own existance. When a specific treatment no longer works, another treatment is tried. I am asked a lot why I didn't have a mastectomy or why I am not on chemo or how much time I have left. Because I still have my hair, I don't look like a cancer patient. Part of me wishes we would have hit it hard right away, but Dr. Laudi asked me a lot questions about my life and what is important to me. He felt the hormone treatment was slower, but more gentle than chemo. He knows I am a mother and he hoped that this would cause less disruption in my life.
I discussed this with Dr. laudi at my appt this morning. "People want to know when I will die."
He paused... "People don't ask you that."
"Yes, they do. I'm not offended. They are just curious. It's a valid question."
Dr. Laudi shook his head, unable to comprehend. He put his hand on my shoulder, "Sarah, you are not going to die."
So, there you go. I am not going to die. Dr. Laudi said so (and I have witnesses).
Looking through my test results, Dr. Laudi said he is happy with my response to treatment. My CA 27-29 tumor marker is down to 43.97. The masses in my left breast are shrinking. My bones are changing. The holes left behind, when the cancer cells lost their 'food supply' and died off, are now being filled in with new bone formation. My cancer is responding.
I have much to be thankful for this holiday season :)
I discussed this with Dr. laudi at my appt this morning. "People want to know when I will die."
He paused... "People don't ask you that."
"Yes, they do. I'm not offended. They are just curious. It's a valid question."
Dr. Laudi shook his head, unable to comprehend. He put his hand on my shoulder, "Sarah, you are not going to die."
So, there you go. I am not going to die. Dr. Laudi said so (and I have witnesses).
Looking through my test results, Dr. Laudi said he is happy with my response to treatment. My CA 27-29 tumor marker is down to 43.97. The masses in my left breast are shrinking. My bones are changing. The holes left behind, when the cancer cells lost their 'food supply' and died off, are now being filled in with new bone formation. My cancer is responding.
I have much to be thankful for this holiday season :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)