Radiation and Hormones

I had two important doctor’s appointments Thursday, and I’m just now getting around to updating everyone. Darren and I went to Galena for a long weekend. The boys went to Grandma and Grandpa’s. It was very nice to be able to get away just the two of us. We needed a break from all the cancer stuff. But anyway here are the highlights from the visits. I’m now working on two different fronts to fight the cancer. With my type of breast cancer there are four ways to fight it:

1. Surgery – been there and done that a couple times now
2. Chemo – just got done with this!
3. Radiation – I will be starting this very, very soon
4. Hormonal therapy – I tried one drug last year that didn’t work, I am starting a new drug now

Not everyone that has breast cancer will have to receive all these types of treatment. Last year I only had surgery and hormonal therapy. This year I will receive treatment in all these areas with the hopes that the cancer will be stopped. Of course the most important way of fighting cancer is prayer. God is in control yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

As of Thursday, I am now starting treatment with radiation and a new hormonal therapy.

Radiation

I saw my radiation oncologist and was mapped to prepare for radiation. What this involves is a CT scan to determine where all my major organs are. I was then marked with three X’s so that the technicians will be able to position me exactly each time I go in to receive radiation. As you can imagine, it is very important to get this step as exact as possible. I, for one, would like my heart and lungs to be out of the radiation fields. I was told that it would take 5 – 10 business days after mapping to be ready to start radiation. This means that I will be starting radiation either late this week or more than likely next week. My kids start back to school Monday – a week from today. I’m a little nervous about how all this is going to work. They all three will be in school, and I’m hoping for an easy, smooth start to the school year for all of them – especially my youngest who starts kindergarten. I will have 30 treatments. This means six weeks of Monday – Friday treatments. I’m told the treatments don’t take long. I’m sure the drive will take longer. I do not have a time for radiation yet. That is scheduled once they are ready to start.

I was also told that since I have had a mastectomy that radiation is usually a little harder than for someone who has just had a lumpectomy. I was nervous about this already. I have very, very little tissue on my chest wall now. The doctor confirmed my concerns. He did tell me though that each person is different. He said that we might be pleasantly surprised, and I could get through this with little problems. If I do have issues, it will most likely be with my skin and how it holds up. Please pray that God will help me through this next step and that the radiation will cause minimal issues.

Hormonal Therapy

I am embarking on new territory now. I am officially menopausal at the age of 39. Thursday I was given a Lupron shot that suppresses my ovaries for six months. I have been hesitant to do the Lupron shots. I have already made the decision to have my ovaries removed soon to permanently take care of the issue, but I gave in to having one shot. It is so important to start hormonal therapy as soon as possible. Estrogen is like the fuel for my type of cancer. If I reduce the estrogen in my body, there is a better chance that the cancer will not be able to grow. So I did the shot. But I have already scheduled my hysterectomy for November 7. I had to wait until November to have it because my body needs time to heal from chemo, and it is important to start radiation now.

I am also now taking a new drug. It is called Arimidex. I was told at Northwestern that it is a little more effective than the drug that I was on last year. Arimidex requires me to be fully menopausal to take it though - thus the Lupron and hysterectomy. There are a lot of possible side effects from Arimidex. You might not know this but even after menopause women still have a little estrogen. This is made in several places in their body. Arimidex prevents even this estrogen. This is great in terms of fighting cancer, but it can cause problems too. Bone and joint issues are one big area. BUT some women take it and do well. Please pray for me as I adjust to not only menopause but also to Arimidex.

Thanks for the prayers!