Thursday, October 25, 2007

Herceptin

I will be starting the Herceptin drug on Nove 5. This drug is administered by IV. The first dose they drip very slowly for 90 minutes. Doses after are 60 minutes long. I will have this once every 3 weeks for one year. This Herceptin kills the Her2nu cell that was found in my tumor. Her2nu is a very fast growing cell. THey say this is the best drug out there for people that test positive with her2nu.
I have asked for the expansion process to be done so surgery should be 2 1/2 months- 3 months from oct 16th. I see that doctor Nov 2. I will be making sure I can have surgery while being on the herceptin drug.
I have had my follow up ultra sound on my throid and will se the thyroid doctor on November 14.
My hair is growing. I think I felt it blowing in the wind the other day. Paul thinks it is coming in a little darker than it was. I haven't thought so. The kids are use to me not wearing my wig or a scarf now.
I will keep posting as long as your reading.
Thanks for the prayers. Always needed.
Peace
Kelly

Monday, October 15, 2007

October News

I have been in Physical Therapy now for 1 month. Every monday, wednesday and friday for 1 hour. I have total range of motion in the right arm and I have improved 50 % in the left arm but have 75% more to go. It is working. But it is tough too.
I continue to have the expanders filled. I think that is coming to an end soon.
I still have tissue hardening from surgery which was Aug 1, then the expanders and the tightness from previous radiation. Makes me want to be done with the whole process.
I have been encouraged by lots of people to go big and perky. I just want perky and medium. Paul does not get a say in this matter. Sorry dear.
I have been getting my energy back more and more. I worked 8 hours today for the first time since slowly going back to work. With all my appointments that I still have with therapy and then dr appointments I seem to be coming and going all the time. But it is all good. I finally found time to see my primary care doctor this week.
I still have to start on the Herceptin drug that is IV administerd. I take that for one year. Once every three weeks. There are side effects but not as bad as chemo....so they say. I'm trying to get done with therapy before I start that but I'm callling this week to set that up.
My hair is coming back. I decided to be strong as I call it and went to work with no wig or scarf today. Everyone that said anything said it looked good, very becoming, cute, and I like it. Rachel thought I was brave when I told her I was going to work like that. It's coming back the same color and with a gray here and there. But I have learned very fast to like that gray too. And ohhh so baby soft.
I still take cumiden...the blood thinner for the blood clot that I had in my leg. My oncologist wants me on it for six months which would be after christmas.
I want you all to know that anytime I talk about my experience I always say that I could not have done it with out my family and friends. Every little thing helped in a major way. HUGE!
So even though I am back to my normal self. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. IF you brought a dinner over please email me the recipe because Paul never ate so goood. He keeps telling me how good this was and that was. I'd like to try some of them myself.
Love to all of you!
Peace
Kelly