Cancer Treatment Plan

Met with the oncologist today and LOVED him and his staff.  I DO NOT have to have radiation therapy.  This was the best news I could have heard.  He said radiation is usually done when 4 or more lymph nodes are involved, so I just skirted that.  I was dreading the thought of radiation every day.  YEAH........

Okay, so here's the plan.  Monday morning at 7:15 a.m. I go for a PET scan to make sure the cancer hasn't spread to any other organs.  The oncologist is contacting my surgeon to request he place my port on Tuesday, this will be an outpatient surgery.  I'm scheduled to start chemotherapy Wednesday afternoon at 11:45.  This first treatment will take 4-5 hours but should only take about 3 hours per treatment after that.

Phase 1 of treatment I will receive two chemotherapy medications, Adriamycin and Cytoxan, every 2 weeks for 4 cycles.  Phase 2 of treatment I will receive one chemotherapy medicine, Taxol, every 2 weeks for 4 cycles.  The day after each treatment I go in for a Neulasta shot which will stimulate my body to make more white blood cells to fight off infection. 

They assured me that I shouldn't have any vomiting, they have really good medication to prevent that.  I will have extreme fatigue and bone pain starting a day or two after my treatment and lasting 3-5 days.  I will lose all my hair (within about 2 weeks) and may have trouble with mouth sores and/or poor appetite.  Ha, but other than that, it should be a walk in the park :)

It was surreal sitting in the waiting room surrounded by all the bald-headed people in their stocking caps.  It kind of made everything a little more real.  Some looked great, smiling and talkative, and some looked horrible, on death's door..... really scary.

The doctor said that my cancer is really aggressive/fast growing and probably grew within 4-5 months.  After hearing that, I'm ready to get chemo underway and start killing any cells that are still floating around. 

Okay everyone, here we go.  It's time.  Are we ready?  YES we are.  Thanks to each of you who will be walking this road with me.  I'm going to run this race and I need each of you cheering for me on the side lines.  With God's help, we are going to WIN THIS RACE...............