My first radiation session is long - checking measurements, marking me up like a road map - while my lovely oncology nurse, Linda, takes time out to explain everything, recommend the best way to tackle this treatment, and answer any questions Ted and I have. I feel like I'm in excellent hands now.
Linda and two techs complete the treatment which takes about an hour and a half first time around. I feel nothing and am told simply to get lots of air to the zapping site and apply copious amounts of Johnsons baby powder and nothing else during treatment. Keeping dry is important to baby the skin.
They go in 4 times about 10 second a zap. To make sure penetration is low and exact, Dr. Trotter has recommended placing something like a piece of liver wrapped in Saran on the target site, to fool the laser into thinking it's gone deeper than it has. I'm starting to feel like dinner in the microwave. This is a very precise science these days.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
July 12 - 2nd MUGA Test
While on Herceptin I will have a MUGA cardiac test every 3 months to make sure I'm not one of the 4-5% who will get cardiac failure! So far I am acing those tests. Kudos to Didi in the MUGA test section (Nuclear Medicine) at Foothills Hospital.
First time I went to a private clinic and it took the tech 3 tries to get a vein, she blew all three and I had bruises and a painful wrist for a month.
In the test, they remove some blood, add a tracer and replace it 20 minutes later. They then put you under the Xray and video the blood pumping in and out. Mine performed perfectly - for a 60-year-old heart. After last time's problems, Didi decided to insert a needle and do everything through that one entry in my elbow vein. It meant keeping the arm perfectly still for 45 minutes, no problem. Tada - no bruises, no entries in hand or wrist, no after effects.
First time I went to a private clinic and it took the tech 3 tries to get a vein, she blew all three and I had bruises and a painful wrist for a month.
In the test, they remove some blood, add a tracer and replace it 20 minutes later. They then put you under the Xray and video the blood pumping in and out. Mine performed perfectly - for a 60-year-old heart. After last time's problems, Didi decided to insert a needle and do everything through that one entry in my elbow vein. It meant keeping the arm perfectly still for 45 minutes, no problem. Tada - no bruises, no entries in hand or wrist, no after effects.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
July 4 - Here comes Stampede!
Saturday we went to Phoebe's pre-Stampede lunch. I found my new red stomping cowgirl boots and Stampede gear, and we spent a nice couple of hours visiting with many old friends. On Monday, we will go Stampeding above the grounds with Roger and Darlene, to watch the chuck wagon races from their super home high above the grounds and, if I feel lively enough, catch the fireworks after the Grandstand show. Stampede Parade is always the first Friday of July and the tourists are massing in Calgary this week. After all the cool weather and rain, it's 28, sunny and going to 30 plus for the next couple of days. The mountains start sounding good at those temperatures.
July 2 - Immunology only sessions begin
Today I had an easy time at the chemo centre with a half hour infusion of Herceptin only, my immunology treatment. No side effects at all. If I hadn't had to wait half an hour for a chair, I would have been out in about an hour. I still have many small side effects from the taxotere chemo drug which may take several months to dissipate. Each day further from my last treatment on June 11 gets better. I even have some fuzzies growing back on my bald head! Hair should begin growing back at normal rate about 6 weeks after my last chemo. It will come first in the fast growing follicles like eyelashes and eyebrows. I'll be happy if my leg hairs never come back!
June 29 - Radiation simulation
Today I went under the simulator and got my four tattoos - none of which were butterflies or say"Mom." It took about an hour lying on a comfortable bed while the simulator twirled around me taking measurements, which were checked and double checked by two techs and my radiation oncology doc, Dr. Trotter. Once they finished marking me in red, grey and black lines and points, I looked like a Miro painting. Most came out in the wash, but the tattoos remain for all time to make sure the geometry works to direct the radiation exactly to the points required. I'm glad they all passed maths! Now I wait for my lucky day - Friday July 13 - to start radiation. It will then be for about 4 minutes every weekday for 5 weeks, taking me to mid-August. I expect fatigue and sunburn-like side effects.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
June 15 - My radiation plan
Today I met Dr. Theresa Trotter, my radiation oncologist. She took great pains to explain my cancer stage and situation, prognosis, and the advantage of adding radiation to my 'cure' mix. I have full confidence in her ability to get me the best radiation treatment possible. She has a wonderful warm personality and great experience, credentials and reputation. I am lucky.
So of course, I will start radiation daily from on July 13 for 5 weeks, the maximum recommended. When I was diagnosed, without treatment I would have had a 50% chance of breast cancer recurring. By having surgery, chemo then radiation I have reduced that to 10%. Presumably Herceptin immunology treatment improves those odds too.
This week is side effects week and not fun, but the Taxotere is finished and I have nowhere to go but up. Eating is a challenge but will improve as each day goes by. Scallops go down easily and still taste great. I will plan more social events next week when I feel stronger.
So of course, I will start radiation daily from on July 13 for 5 weeks, the maximum recommended. When I was diagnosed, without treatment I would have had a 50% chance of breast cancer recurring. By having surgery, chemo then radiation I have reduced that to 10%. Presumably Herceptin immunology treatment improves those odds too.
This week is side effects week and not fun, but the Taxotere is finished and I have nowhere to go but up. Eating is a challenge but will improve as each day goes by. Scallops go down easily and still taste great. I will plan more social events next week when I feel stronger.
Monday, June 11, 2007
JUNE 11 - Last Chemo - YIPPEE
C-Day for me - and the last. This afternoon I had an uneventful time at the Chemo clinic with my last blast of Taxotere, and third of the immuno drug Herceptin.
In future, I will return every three weeks for a half hour infusion of Herceptin, which has given me no trouble. Reduced from 1.5 hours the first time, to 1 hour the second, the drip only took half an hour today, with no extra time required to observe possible effects. From the Taxotere, I expect the usual side effects for three weeks but after that no more. This is a relief.
After my Jan 8 surgery, it looked so far ahead to this date and now it is here it doesn't seem to have been too bad. This Friday I will meet my radiology oncologist to see what plans she has for my next treatment plan, probably lasting all of July. Meanwhile I plan to enjoy summer with books in the backyard.
In future, I will return every three weeks for a half hour infusion of Herceptin, which has given me no trouble. Reduced from 1.5 hours the first time, to 1 hour the second, the drip only took half an hour today, with no extra time required to observe possible effects. From the Taxotere, I expect the usual side effects for three weeks but after that no more. This is a relief.
After my Jan 8 surgery, it looked so far ahead to this date and now it is here it doesn't seem to have been too bad. This Friday I will meet my radiology oncologist to see what plans she has for my next treatment plan, probably lasting all of July. Meanwhile I plan to enjoy summer with books in the backyard.
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