Today I met with my oncologist to learn more about the cancer that has invaded my body. Unfortunately not all of the pathology reports were in to him yet. This is what we do know. On Thursday I will go in for an infusion of Zometa through the port in my chest. This drug is not chemotherapy. It is basically used to strengthen my bones. Since we know there is cancer in my spine, I need to keep it as strong as possible to prevent fractures in the future. I will receive this treatment once a month.
We also learned that I will be treated with a pill form of chemotherapy. This drug is called Xeloda. It comes with the standard side effects of chemotherapy although most patients don't lose their hair. It comes with diarrhea, mouth sores, nausea and vomiting, nerve pain, and sometimes blisters on your hands and feet. Sounds pleasant, huh? I will take this medication twice a day for 14 days and then have 7 days off of it before we begin the cycle again.
The last thing we learned was that we have to wait on the pathology to determine the last drug choice for treatment. If the cancer has the same pathology as my original cancer then I will be treated with a drug called Avastin. This will be given through my port twice a month. It is not chemotherapy either. It is a monoclonal antibody. The short version is that it cuts off the blood supply to the tumors therefore hopefully killing them.
If the pathology is different, then other drug combinations will be considered. We will know these results Thursday when I go in for my first infusion of Zometa.
So it comes down to this: my liver is very sick. We will be focusing on making it better. The perk is that the other cancer in my spine and lymph nodes will hopefully be destroyed along the way.
There is no magic combination out there that will CURE me. The key now is to shrink/kill the cancer that I have and thus prevent it from spreading further. I will be on some form of treatment indefinitely. There should be times that I will be able to "take a break" from treatment if we seem to have it well under control, but that is quite a time from now.
And so it begins...
2007 Breast Cancer 3 Day
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(((Standing with you, loving you, and praying for you, dear friend...)))
ReplyDeleteContinuing to pray for you, Fran, and your sweet family!
ReplyDeletePraying for you and cheering for great results from the treatment! Love you Fran! (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteThank you for updating Fran. Been praying all day and will continue lifting you up!
ReplyDeleteJen in SC
Okay, let the fight begin ... we raise our shields and our swords and stand with you in this fight. The Lord is our guide and we look to Him for strength and comfort. Praying for you in your fight and loving you all. Hugs & Kisses
ReplyDeleteI don't know you but I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You are a true inspiration.
ReplyDeleteTheresa said: "We raise our shields and our swords and stand with you in this fight".
ReplyDeleteYes, yes. Standing with you, friend. Praying always.
Praying for you Fran as you begin your treatment and that you will have a peace that goes deep in your soul!
ReplyDeletelovin you and here for you always...janie
ReplyDeleteThough I walk in the midst of trouble,
ReplyDeleteyou preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes,
with your right hand you save me.
~Psalm 138:7