Jan 31 – Medical Oncologist Appointment

After my plastic surgeon appointment, I went over to my medical oncologist to discuss the follow up chemo. They drew blood and checked to ensure I was healthy enough to start the pills. My doctor had mentioned that this chemo had few side effects mainly just red hands (no hair loss, no travel restrictions etc). So we confirmed I would do it. Then the nurse met with me to give me the “chemo orientation” and I quickly realized this wasn’t “just a pill” it was basically full chemo gain!

She started reviewing the side effects nausea, diarrhea, hair thinning (she tried to convince me it wasn’t hair loss, just thinning, but let’s be real it’s the same thing), fatigue, red cracked hands that may bleed. So basically everything I had done before! But this time it’s for 6 months – 3 pills twice per day for 14 days, then 7 days off and I get my blood rechecked to be sure my blood cell count is ok then start the cycle over. This continues for 6 months! Longer than my original chemo. She also said that while this is “just a pill I can take from home” – that it had to be specially delivered and signed for and I couldn’t handle it. I need to wear gloves and put it in a cup when taking it. They downplayed this pill and really made me rethink my choice to do it. They said they also needed to check with my insurance and figure out what specialty pharmacy would handle it and then call me to schedule it.

All of this made me question the need for this. I spent the last two weeks deciding if I wanted to basically go through Chemo again. I asked the doctor if we could start on 2/19 after a vacation of mine, which they agreed to. I then asked my surgical oncologist if she thought it was necessary. Her opinion was:

• You’re young so there’s longer for recurrence
• It’s TNBC so it’s aggressive and we don’t have other preventative options
• I didn’t have a complete response to the first round of chemo (there was the residual cancer they removed with surgery)
• there was the cyst which was abnormal

She said, as did the other doctor, you can always stop if it’s too much. Which unfortunately isn’t likely as I’m not a quitter.

So with all that, I’ve decided that I need to try everything I can to feel confident we’ve gotten everything and will try the pill. I’m enjoying not having any treatment for the next few weeks until we start the Xeloda on 2/19. This will also delay my surgery until after the chemo is done.

So while I was bummed for a bit at having to do this all over again, especially when I thought I was done (even my hair is growing back), I think remembered all the people still cheering me on and got my groove back. I even got this from The Chang Family, cheering me on at the Donna Foundation Event in FL!

With that, I’m starting to convert all my messages, cards etc. into a photo book. A project which will take me about as long as this journey has 🙂 Stay tuned.