This morning was my 2 week check up with my Oncologist, Dr. Sikaria. She had the ultrasound report, but she was confused by the fact that they could not find the marker/clip that was left behind to mark the tumor area when they did the biopsy last September.
I explained to her what the ultrasound tech explained to me, unless she can see the clip in two different planes/angles, she cannot “claim” the clip. She could only find it in one angle, all other angles she tried the clip faded into the breast tissue as clip shows as white and breast tissue shows as white in an ultrasound. Her response was “Oh that explains a lot.”
She is pleased with the progress, but as she explained to us, there are no studies that show if 12 cycles of Taxol are better than 8 or 10 cycles, there is only studies that show 12 cycles of Taxol are better than 6 cycles, so we have to evaluate if the remaining cycles are worth the risk of permanent neuropathy and/or other damage to my body. Since I have noted marked improvement in my overall strength/tiredness, and this past week improvement in my neuropathy, it was decided two more weeks of Taxol and we will reevaluate again after those two infusions.
I told her I am comfortable with this, and when she asked me if I would be comfortable with stopping chemo at this point altogether, I told her we had discussed this and I’ve thought about it and with Blink not being measurable in ultrasound I was OK if we stopped now, but I would be more comfortable with getting all the chemo I was scheduled to receive. She understood that as well. So we’re trying two more weeks.
I asked her about my annual mammogram, she said we would follow up on that once we’re done with treatment. She was not worried that my left breast has not been “x-rayed” in about 15 months since I had an MRI last September.
I also asked her about a flu shot, should I get one or was it too late. She could not believe we had not discussed this prior to starting chemo, and then she went back through her notes and realized I started chemo before they received this year’s flu shot. She said an emphatic yes, that I should still get the flu shot and today, tomorrow or Wednesday would be perfect timing to have the flu shot, just not in the three days after chemo infusion. So, I was able to get a flu shot this morning. Glad that is out of the way. I’ve been worried about going out in public due to the severity of this year’s flu season and my compromised immune system. I know this year’s vaccine is only 30% effective at best, but I figure 30% is better than nothing.
We got home, ate lunch and watched the last two episodes of The Crown for season two. Then we both laid down for naps. Mine lasted 2 1/2 hours…. I didn’t realize I was so tired. I wonder what time I’ll be tired tonight now.
On another note, the hot flashes from chemo/menopause have been brutal the last week or so. As I type I am having a hot flash from hell and would love to be naked under one of the vents in the house right now as the AC just came on. Oy, this is hard to deal with. There are times when I am falling asleep a hot flash will hit and I am awake for another hour or so after said hot flash. And of course, another one hits.
Life is trying to keep cool
Seems like your hot flashes are epic! Since I keep having them, you may want to prepare yourself for another 40 or 50 years of them too. Sorry, kiddo, it’s the luck of the draw. So glad you are doing another two weeks of Taxol. Even though Blink has shrunk into near oblivion, there could be some wild cells lurking and the medicine can attack them too. Like you, I’m a lot more comfortable with you receiving all the treatments you had scheduled rather than stop short just because Blink is in hiding. I love that your Oncologist listens to you and takes your opinions and feelings seriously. Have you tried an oscillating fan next to your bed? Robert can bundle up and you can stay cool. Just a thought. LYTTMAB!