Chemos 5 & 6

I am done with Taxotere and Carboplatin!  I am so happy to see them go!

These past few months have been a test of my willpower and strength.   I am SO incredibly happy that the response from the chemo has been worth it!  We have had nothing but good news since my diagnosis.  But, when those side effects kick in and I'm stuck in bed for days it's hard to remember how lucky I am.  When I sit in the waiting room at the oncologist and hear people talk about how their chemo is not effective or see people that have to be transported by ambulance I remember how healthy I actually am.

I didn't write about chemo #5 because its just the same as every other one.  The same can be said for #6.  Nothing very exciting or remarkable about either.  I'm just glad they're behind me and  I can move on to the next phase!

I met with the 2 surgeons that will be operating on me. I am planning for a lumpectomy. The plan is to remove the area surrounding the tumor as well as any mass (if any) that is left.  After that, a plastic surgeon will take over and normalize both sides.  It was a tough choice between lumpectomy and mastectomy, but; I trust my surgeon and she assures me that my prognosis is the same with both.  I will have surgery on June 23rd.  My recovery will be anywhere from 2-6 weeks.

After surgery, they will take the tissue (lump and lymph nodes) removed and test it for cancer cells.  Best case scenario, there are no live cancer cells present at time of surgery!  This would be a pathological complete response (better prognosis and no more chemo)!  If there are live cancer cells present in this tissue then I will need 4 more rounds of a different type of chemo.  Obviously, we are very hopeful for a complete response.  Both of my doctors have assured me that it is very likely with what they see and feel but they can't say for sure until the pathology (results of the tissue) comes back.

After surgery I will still need radiation.  I'm still waiting on details for what this will look like.  Most likely, daily treatments for 4 weeks.

Then I should be done!  I will still need screening every 3 months for the next 5 years and to be very vigilant for any signs of recurrence (as it is common with this type of cancer).  

I'm trying to remain positive, enjoy summer with all my boys, and get strong for surgery!  Chemo has taken a toll on me but I still have a long way to go!