I've been kind of quiet on the blog because blissfully, unless I'm at chemo, there is very little else happening. This isn't a bad thing. August and September were so busy with all of the appointments, the diagnosis, the planning, etc etc that having October be less busy has been very welcome. There are a few things to update on so I'm going to put topics in and you can read what you desire to read and skip what you don't want to read about.
Genetics Testing
The day of my last blog I had my genetics consult. This is required by my healthcare system before the bloodwork can be processed because it is the genetics consultant who puts in the order for the blood work. Basically if I test positive for the BRCA genes it means my girls will all need to do preventative testing and my brother will need to test so he knows if his kids need to test. There is only a 5-10% chance of it being genetic so I'm crossing my fingers that I'm just an anomaly who got breast cancer and my girls don't have to worry about it being something they might inherit.
Surgery Follow Up & Future Surgery
I had a follow up with my surgeon, Dr. M, on Monday because there is a tiny opening on the right side that needs to be monitored. It's nothing major and doesn't need to be stitched back together but we have to watch it so it doesn't get worse. Since I am right side dominant, I have to be extra careful about stretching or reaching too far with that side because it could prevent it from closing properly. Additionally, the chemotherapy drugs will make healing take longer so it's really important that I watch that.
When she was redressing the wound this time I asked her if she had always wanted to be a surgeon. She said no, that it was never actually on her mind to become a doctor at all but her mother passed away from breast cancer when she (the doctor) was in her 20s so it became a personal mission for her. I already had mad respect and love for this doctor due to her care, bedside manner and diligence but knowing she was personally affected by breast cancer and is now helping women to not succumb like her mom did...she's my hero. Seriously. She is just the best and I am so grateful that she is the surgeon the luck of the draw matched me with because she's great.
We did chat a little about the lymph node surgery. I asked her if it was still necessary since I'm doing chemotherapy and that should, in theory, eradicate anything left behind, but she said its protocol and if we don't do it and I have a recurrence, it sets her up for a malpractice suit. I would never even dare sue this woman who pushed for me to have surgery ASAP to get that tumor out but as soon as she said that, I was like "we will do that surgery." She also explained that she'll wait until a month after chemo ends to ensure my body has had some time off to recover from the affects of chemo, so we're looking at around mid-March. Then a 4 week recovery period from that and then radiation. So I expect radiation would begin somewhere around April 14.
Insurance
Insurance is necessary and can be a blessing but they are also being a pain in my ass regarding my disability. I personally sent them 53 pages of documentation from each doctor visit and whatnot and they send me a letter saying they approved my disability through the end of November. Dudes...I am in active chemotherapy treatment until February 11. Why are you making me provide more notices and whatnot when you shouldn't need anything more until chemo is over and we move on to the next phase?
Thank goodness for the FMLA/Disability girl at my cancer center. When I brought her the new request form, she checked my name and said "wait, didn't we just submit this stuff?" Why yes, yes we did. So she was as annoyed about it as I was. BUT she smiled and said "I got you! I'll get this submitted today."
I don't understand why the insurance company doesn't just ask the doctor's for the full treatment plan. THEN they can request notes/updates every 2-3 months instead of badgering ME. Seriously it has caused me more stress dealing with their crap than the surgery, worrying about being away from school and letting someone else take over my program and the chemotherapy combined. Not okay.
Especially because I started worrying that they were going to be stupid and make me go back to school in April after treatments were done. Yes I could have done it but I'd still be pretty week and my immune system pretty compromised to be seeing 650+ students a week. They are little. They will want to hug me and touch me. Germ fest! (Fortunately, Dr. M saying the lymph node dissection surgery is required makes this a non-issue because of recovery time from that and it pushing back the start of radiation.)
Chemo Infusion 3
Yesterday was the second to last dose of the A/C ("the red devil"). This time my oldest daughter, Emily, came with me. We sat by the window this time and I don't think I'll do that again. They took all of the flowers out so it was not a fun view and no TV in that spot. So I'll stick to the inner sanctum.
My nurse, Stacy, was great. The infusion went fine and we were only about 30 minutes over the ending time of the appointment. (I'm learning this happens based on the pharmacy - once you're checked in they have to order your meds and depending on how quick they are depends on how fast your treatment is. Alas, none of my actual infusions have ever been more than 4 hours from start to finish so I cannot complain.)
They continue to be impressed that I'm having minimal issues with it. I'm gaining weight instead of losing it which is not fun or fair but we have a plan to curb that. When I saw the NP earlier this week she also said any of the meds the bariatric clinic might prescribe for curbing my appetite are not known to interact poorly with the chemo drugs so that is another option to pursue if I can't get it under control on my own.
Emily also mentioned that they make chemotherapy seem so horrible in TV shows and whatnot and it really wasn't that bad. I mean, it's not fun and I don't enjoy it but it's not the worst thing I've ever had to do. (Boring professional development where I already know what they are showing us is the worst thing I've ever had to do, hands down.)
Side Effects
I'm pretty fortunate that the only side effects I've really had are hair loss and hot flashes, neither of which are very fun. I'm not completely bald but I look pretty ridiculous without a hat or head covering. I have small tufts of hair and bald spots. VERY attractive. Usually if I'm at home I just go without anything on my head but even to take the dog out, I grab a hat. I'm sure none of my neighbors would even care but I'm self conscious about it so the hat goes on.
The other side effect, the hot flashes, is a new development. They totally suck. It is warmer than usual for late October (my temp gauge says 71 degrees) but I still have to have a fan on me right now otherwise it's unbearable. Last night I had to turn the big fan on me while on the couch watching TV because I was literally sweating. (This is party because the chemo can force menopause and with that comes the lovely hot flashes.)
BUT *knock on wood* I don't have mouth sores or nausea or any of the other scary shit they told me might happen. So I will deal with the hair loss and hot flashes because in the end, it could be way worse.
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