New Updates

Gosh, I feel like it's been forever since I posted and I have lots of news...





Well, chemotherapy is done and while I have to continue my Herceptin IVs, the schedule has now changed to once every 3 weeks instead of once a week 'til the end of July. Yahoo! Looks like the veins in my left arm are getting a bit of a holiday. Thank goodness. My right arm is out after the surgery because IVs, blood pressure cuffs, etc. can increase my chance of developing lymphedema.





I have an appointment setup with a radiation oncologist for this Friday am for a radiation consultation. I'll probably start radiation in early to mid-June after I return from my trip to Toronto. More news after Friday...





Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you see it, I have been provided with a prescription for Tamoxifen which I am to start immediately. I have to take it twice a day, every day, for the next... 5 years :-( Sorry to make the men blush, but I just got my period back last month since losing it last July and I was finally starting to feel like a young woman again. I hope I don't lose it again. Side effects include hot flashes, although I should be far more concerned about the blood clots and strokes.





I also need to schedule another echocardiogram to check that my heart is not being damaged from the Herceptin and a CT scan to confirm that I am clear of cancer. That thought is really creepy because I really don't think of any other alternatives other than being cancer-free but I guess it's just standard protocol.





What else is new? I'm hoping to have my last fill this Wednesday. I am so done with these expanders.





Also, I have started a masters swim class in the mornings and it's been great. Have been back on my bike and managed a 33 mile club ride (ok, well, I rode the first few miles and the last 10 miles with the club but they dropped me in the hills) a week ago.





Oh, and by the way, just came back from a great 5 days in Arizona. We visited ruins from 1200 AD, Petrified Forest NP, a rodeo, a meteor crator and Sedona. Was a ton of fun.

I'll send an update on the weekend.

Maureen