Since the last update:
-I've had my port removed!
-I've started radiation
-I've enrolled in a clinical trial for a vaccine for my specific type of cancer
Port removal
Easy, painless. It was weird to go back into surgery just 3 weeks after my big surgery! But, it's out and healed! I'm so glad to see it go! It got me through blood draws and 6 rounds of chemo. But, it never worked quite right and was painful if the muscle it was attached to moved much. Sayonara!
Radiation
The radiation oncologist has prescribed the maximum amount of radiation for me because my tumor was so large and the cells were so aggressive and fast growing. So, I will need 30 treatments with radiation. 25 of these will cover from the collar bone to the bottom of my rib cage and front to back on my right side. The other 5 are "boosters". These will be aimed directly at the spot where my tumor was. I am half way through! I go 5 days a week, it makes me tired and burns my skin. It's harder than I expected, but; it is so much easier than chemo! I am glad I live pretty close to the hospital. It is hard to devote an hour every weekday to radiation (I would so much rather take a walk or play with my kids). The best news about radiation is that it is the last stage of my treatment plan!!!!
Clinical Trial
I have been accepted into the second phase of a clinical trial that is focusing on a vaccine for my type of cancer! It's pretty amazing! Only about 80 people in the world will be able to participate. The vaccine is called TPIV 200. It is a "folate receptor Alpha T-cell vaccine". There are 2 protocols. The first is a dose of the vaccine every 3 months for 3 years. The second is a "primer dose" of chemo (only before the 1st dose, 12% of a normal dose meant to prime your immune system) followed by the same dose of the vaccine every 3 months for 3 years. The vaccine is designed to stimulate my T-cells and get them working! As much as I don't want unnecessary doctors appointments and needle sticks I feel like I need to do this. I know I am lucky to have the opportunity! I won't start this until November. So, I will have some normal time between finishing radiation and starting the vaccine.
My hair
My hair is growing!!! It's as thick as ever and about an inch and a half long. I stopped wearing my wig about 2 weeks ago. I still wear it to James' school just because he loves it. Hahaha. But, I am so happy to have hair! I look more like G.T. than ever!
From here...
Since my cancer was so aggressive I will continue to get a CT Scan every 3 months for the next 5 years. This type of cancer has a high recurrence rate. But, everything having to do with my treatment has been the best case scenario! So, this will be something I will continue to be vigilant about, but; I'm trying so hard to not worry! I don't want to be so overcome with worry that I don't enjoy the good days/weeks/months/years!
We have planned our trip to Florida to build sand castles on the beach! The thought of that has gotten me through some of the worst moments of this experience! We are going to Disney World for a day then on to Captiva Island for a week! To say we are all excited would be an understatement! I'm ready to celebrate and have this behind all of us!
Thank you so much to everyone who has helped us! My mom, Jim's parents and sisters, Hattie (my awesome friend/neighbor), Jennie (my awesome friend), Julie (another awesome friend) have all stepped up to watch my boys and help me for radiation! We've received several gift cards for meals and packages of fun! I've been terrible with the thank you notes, but; they're coming!
Thank you all so much for making this hard time so much easier! Love you all!
