Sunday, July 24, 2011
The Next Leg of the Journey Begins
10:41 PM
Several of you have asked what is going to happen next so I thought I’d update you on the next leg of the journey. The new journey began Mon. July 11th when I drove myself to the clinic for the first of eight infusions of Herceptin, a target therapy drug which just attacks the breast cancer cells. This first infusion lasted 90 minutes but the infusions in the future will just require 30 minutes. I only have seven infusions left – one every three weeks.
Later that day I visited a new surgeon since mine is still on his much earned sabbatical. Dr. C felt that my medi-port needed to be removed since part of it was exposed. There was no time for it to be done on Monday so I returned to the clinic on Wed. to have it removed. Praise the Lord that I didn’t get an infection. The incision is now healing. Without my medi-port I will have to have the Herceptin infusion via an IV but it’s only seven times and there is no blood draw prior to Herceptin so I feel blessed. It’s great that oncology nurses are excellent at starting IVs.
Last Monday, July 18th, I returned to the El Camino Radiation Clinic to have the first of two pre-radiation appointments. I had a CT scan and will return one day this week to be positioned on the machine and tattooed to facilitate the process. Right now I’m scheduled for 28 days of radiation therapy beginning Aug. 8th. Ken and I had previously met with the radiation oncologist and it was recommended that I have radiation treatment. The doctor was flexible and agreed to letting me start treatment after Adventure Camp. Yeah!!!!!
Right now I am busy preparing for Adventure Camp and slowly getting my strength and stamina back. Luckily the side effects of radiation are the possibilities of fatigue and of tender skin where the treatment occurs. It looks like by the end of Sept. I will be done with my treatments and can get busy recovering and picking up the different pieces of my life that I’ve had to put aside since December.
I continue to feel blessed and humbled by all the people praying for me and blessing our family. Thank you for your faithful devotion.
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2 comments:
Whew. I had Radiation. Someone told me the called the machine R2D2 to make it less intimidating. That helped me. I marveled at the precision and the technology involved. It's a hassle going every day, but it goes fast and then it's OVER - another chance to celebrate. I had a "no more nukes" party when I was done. You are in my prayers.
Donna - you all continue to be in our prayers! And Abbie and I are both so happy that you will be at Adventure Camp with us!! Carol & Abbie
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