The bigger deal is that it is starting to look like this chemo cocktail isn't working as well as we'd like. Keith and I went in for a visit with my breast surgeon today. It was meant to be a quick check on my rash, but I had noticed some skin thickening on my breast a couple days ago. This was worrisome because the skin had been getting better. So, what it seems like, is that while the visible cancer on the skin appears be almost completely cleared up, the tumor in the breast isn't shrinking much at all. According to the ultra sound the tumor is about the same (maybe slightly smaller), but the skin thickening is a sign that something is going on. The doctor thinks that it is the result of some blockage in the lymphatic system.
As usual, I'm glad to have him on the case. He's got a call into my oncologist to talk to her about what is going on. His take is that it might be time to switch chemos. I'm all for it. While there may well come a time when I'm happy to just have things not growing, right now I want things shrinking!
I'm scheduled for chemo this coming Tuesday. I might get it or I might not. There is no way I'll get a new chemo on Tuesday. It takes time to get that kind of thing approved. I guess I'll just wait and see what my oncologist says on Tuesday. I honestly wouldn't mind another round. I know that probably sounds dumb but, I hate the idea of not having any chemo for several weeks while all the logistics get worked out.
The upside of all this is that I just noticed the change last Wednesday and I just happened to have appointments with the surgeon on Friday and the oncologist on Tuesday, so the ball got rolling really quickly. In addition to that I've already talked about what my next chemo cocktail would be with my oncologist and the specialist at UCSF, so it should be a pretty straight forward decision. I say that now, but who knows...
One thing all this crap has forced me to deal with is uncertainty. Will I need to take Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off to recuperate from chemo? I won't know until Tuesday afternoon. Urgh. I hate that! I'm much more comfortable when I know the plan!
I am so sorry to hear that the chemo isn't working as well as you'd hoped. It sounds like you've got things lined up..... I'm so glad you went to UCSF for the second opinion. Keep being persistent despite all the uncertainly! Love to you and Keith, ann
ReplyDeleteDarn! A girl needs to have her chemo working, killing cancer cells, not just hanging around. While this is a rotten development, I'm glad you're aware of the situation and have "your people" working on it very promptly. I hope whatever needs to be done to approve the new chemo cocktail can be taken care of quickly. You probably already know that massage therapists can do lymph drainage massages. Very pleasant and surprisingly effective in my limited experience. Just a thought. love, S,L,&N
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear your news that your current chemo cocktail is not as effective as you would hope. As always, you are amazing, putting a positive spin on things! But seriously, it is great that you have appointments lined up and have contacts with a range of folks.
ReplyDeleteI hope that all goes well and that you are able to try a new chemo quickly.
Hope you are able to squeeze in some time for relaxation and some fun this weekend.
Take care.
Love, Jane