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Monday, November 26, 2007

1st Mitra Vist!

I had a doctors visit today at Dr. Rado's office with Mitra his I think Nurse Practitioner? Anyway, I really like her she is nice. I went in with a lot of questions. Towards the end of the appointment Mitra says to me you have a lot of questions. I told you oh ya the first time I saw Dr. Rado he gave me so much information and I didn't know anything yet. Then my second visit I saw a doctor that I had to tell him what was wrong with me. So this is my first chance to ask question about everything that is going on and I know a little more now. She was very good to me. She answered all my question and didn't hurry me along it was nice. She gave me orders for a Cat Scan of my liver and stomach and a MRI or my breasts. Those test will be in two weeks after Round 3 of Chemo. They want to see how much the cancer has shrunk. They will do a PET scan again at the end of chemo. They don't want to check my bones until I am done with chemo. I guess the bones look worse during chemo so they will wait until I am done. Bones take longer to repair themselves. She also said that is probably why my bones are aching. She doesn't think I will need radiation. I hope that stays true. She didn't know how much longer with the chemo. She said either 4 or 6 rounds and that will depend on the CAT Scan and the MRI. So next visit Dr. Rado will decided. She also told me I would be on Herceptin for at least a year maybe for life or off and on throughout my life. Right now Herceptin is only IV. I am assuming it will be given once every three weeks like it is now. I think it is a 10 minute drip I can't remember? She also told me they would force me into menopause after chemo. Either I could have a hysterectomy or I could take a shot once a month for a year and then by the end my ovaries would be no good. I don't know what we will decided. I also asked about loosing my breasts. She said well that was a toss up. She said they do a mastectomy if your lump hasn't spread so that it wont spread. Mine already spread so that doesn't decrease my risk of recurrence. So she said I have a good argument to keep them. She also said Dr. Rado my just require it. Probably not both but maybe just the left. So again something to think about. I asked what would be my routine check up and she said they wont know until the chemo is over with. I also asked about the rash on my head she didn't know. I also asked about the rash on my body she didn't know on that one either. I have been getting nausea the last few days. She thinks maybe from the cold. I don't know if I said already but I can have chemo with the cold as long as I don't have a fever and I don't so I am o.k. I had a blood test on Friday and the CA or Cancer maker number is 134. When I started chemo is was 714 or so. So it is really going down. YAH!!!!! All great news I get chemo this week, my counts are going down possibly no radiation, possible no mastectomy and no crazy doctor this visit oh and Ryan made it to the appointment only a couple of minutes late. Can't get any better than that can it!!!

7 comments:

natallie said...

thanks for posting all the news, and good job asking all your questions. great pictures. just a comment on the artificial tree lights... we have a pre-lit tree and after 2 years of screwy lights, i just cut them/untwisted them off my tree. that way i could still keep my tree that i liked, didn't have to spend more money, and i can change up my lights whenever i want. just a little unsolicated advice.(you can never have too much of that!!:)

meohmyers said...

So informative! I love your updates and all the pics of your cute family! So glad things are going so well. Prayers are being answered! I absolutely love your optimism. Have a great week!

Angela S said...

I'm so glad there was no crazy doctor and you have learned enough to have questions. And the cancer marker going down is reason for celebration though seriously this whole post is really cause for jumping with joy. Congrats again!

Angela Stone

Anonymous said...

Great news Rochelle. I'm so glad things are going well. Tell everyone I said hi. Love, Aunt Linda and Uncle Carl

PRP said...

Such great news. It looks like our prayers are definitely being heard!

I think it's so great that you ask so many questions. The more you know, the more you have to fight with!

tharker said...

I saw Karen tonight, and she told me about your numbers. I was speechless. Miracles can and do happen. I know you still have a very long road ahead of you, but with all of the prayers being sent up in your behalf and your amazing attitude...ANYTHING is possible.

Congratulations on all of this wonderful news Rochelle.

Boyce Family said...

Hi Rochelle, this is Jessica Boyce. I came across your blog today and thought I would leave you a message. Since I haven't talked to you in years and we live in Utah I had no idea about your Cancer. You look great and I loved reading your entries. You are amazing and strong. Here is a link to my blog and I will check in on you and pray for your family. http://www.boycerulez.blogspot.com/ Jessica Boyce