More Chemo and progress

It's been a while since my last post.  Since then, I started a second type of Chemo called Taxol--I've had three rounds, with one more to go on June 7!  Taxol is supposed to attack the cancer cells in a different way from the first drug combo.

I get this kind of chemo in a hospital bed.  Some people are very allergic to it, but thankfully I am not one of them.  The drug can cause neuropathy, a tingling and/or numbing of the hands and feet.  To attempt to avoid this, I ice my hands and feet during infusion. Then I take glutamine for a few days.  I do have some numbing, but I can still type, so not such a big deal.  I also have a roaming itch from the Taxol.  Yes, I'm sure it's from the Taxol, despite Breck's questions about the possibility of body lice.  (He's a peach)  Starting the Mondays after chemo, I get terrible joint pain and hobble around feeling like an old lady.  This lasts for a few days.  Breck makes fun of me and says things like, "My HIP" in Grandpa Simpson's voice.  When this is over, he's going to get it!  The meals delivered to our house are total lifesavers!  Thank you soooo much to everyone who has contributed!!!!!  You guys have busy lives too, and I know making us a meal is a pain the ass.  Please know how appreciated it is!!

I had a scan about a month ago prior to starting Taxol.  At that scan, the ultrasound tech and physician told me that the tumor in my breast was undetectable and the tumor in my lymph node was still there, but much smaller.  After two rounds of Taxol, my doctor and I could still feel a lump in my armpit, so I returned for another scan last week.  I was very concerned that the Taxol wasn't working and the tumor was growing back.  Not fun.

Anyhow back at the hospital, I first got a mammogram, which I briefly saw on the computer screen.  There's the tumor.  SHIT!   I was then certain the cancer was growing back.. Maybe I should have brought someone with me!  Then, time for a scan.  The ultrasound tech found the tumor right away, and went to go get the doctor to discuss my results.  Certainly not the best moment of my life.  When he came in to greet me, he told me that everything was fine--the tumor was always in my breast, but was very close to my nodes, hence the mixup.  Also, my nodes look better than last scan a month ago--no trace of a tumor and only likely scar tissue.  The armpit lump was a displaced muscle left over from an enlarged node.  The breast tumor was about the same size, but based on the change in the appearance of the nodes, the Taxol does seem to be working.  PHEW! Of course I was very relieved that things were not getting worse.  The doctor said I'm doing great--that the chemo is doing exactly what it is supposed to do.  This roller coaster ride is BULLSHIT!

After my next chemo, I'll meet with my surgeon and get a second opinion from Seattle Cancer Care Alliance about what kind of surgery to get.  A double mastectomy?  A lumpectomy?  I've heard that getting just one breast removed is a bad idea (ending up with a fake one up high and the real one down low) Either way, they will remove a bunch of nodes from my right armpit.  I'll get to wear a sleeve and gauntlet to prevent/manage lymphodema (retention of fluid in my arm due to missing lymph nodes).  Maybe I'll get one with Ed Hardy graphics ; )  I'll also wear a medical bracelet on my arm.  I wonder if they make those in diamond-studded platinum?  Yay.

 I have good days and bad days.  Every SINGLE article written about Triple Negative Breast Cancer points out that it has a worse prognosis, is more deadly, etc. etc.  Some of that is true, and some of it is media hype.  It's hard to keep my mind in the right place sometimes.  Thanks for the support!  People are coming out of the woodwork to help us and it is so great!  We feel so loved :) and it really does keep my mind on the prize.   I've got a super awesome husband and three babies who need me to stick around!


So, that's the news for now.  Carrie