Updates

Treatment Updates

My treatment plan includes four components: Hercepton (52 weeks), Chemotherapy (two cycles), surgery, and radiation. I will describe below an update on the first two; however, surgery and radiation will be determined in March and most likely will take place in May.

Yesterday I completed my 17th treatment of Hercepton. I am about 1/3 of the way to the finish line on this.

I have completed the first cycle of chemotherapy, which was a “cocktail” of three different types. It was a little grueling; but as chemo goes not as bad as most people experience. I am in week two of the 12-week cycle of Taxol. This chemo I receive every Monday for 12 weeks. It is too early to report on the side effects but so far there has been nothing severe. I am only missing one day of work for treatment and have good energy and no nausea. The biggest issue is some insomnia but I made a big Amazon.com order to fill the night hours with good reading.

The treatment has been a great success in the ultimate goal of ridding my body of cancer cells. The breast tumor, which was about the size of a walnut, has melted away. I cannot even feel it. My blood counts have been excellent and all tests connected to my heart indicate that it is in excellent condition. (One of the side effects of this treatment plan is heart damage. Monitoring the heart through MUGA scans is very important and frequently tested. My heart efficiency is way above normal so even with a little damage I will be ok.) I have a complete blood count each week. Chemo is hard on all fast growing cells that include white blood cells and cells in the digestive system. If my blood cell count is down I receive an injection booster. The digestive track is the most annoying with indigestion a constant nuisance. I have a medication for that which greatly helps. But no IBC root beer. Carbonated beverages are the worst culprits in causing pain. Sense of taste has changed. Normally I love good coffee. I buy beans from a local coffee shop and grind them daily. But for some reason, coffee does not taste good and the caffeine really makes me wired. I have switched to green tea, which of course is healthier. I purchased a great little teapot and cozy for my morning ritual – sipping tea while listening to Morning Edition and reading the New York Times.

It stills seems a bit surreal. Sitting in the “chemo suite” with an IV tube is not what I had in my life plans. I still do a quick turn around in my mind when I hear my name associated with cancer. I can sit there receiving chemo with all the other patients as my weekly routine; but, the other day the nurse said something to the doctor about my treatment using my name. For some reason, “Bonnie’s” cancer or treatment or chemo or any words associated with cancer is the most difficulty to take in.

For those of you who see me often, you know I decided not to go the wig route and mainly where a baseball cap that belonged to my dear friend Angelo. I sometimes put pins on it. Right now there is a great artsy pin that says “Make Art Not War” with little crystal beads hanging from it. Not wearing a wig lets the world know that I am going through chemo treatments. I get mixed reactions from avoidance to straightforward questions. I like the latter better. The other night at dinner a new acquaintance asked me first thing “are you going through chemo?” (If you ever wonder what to say, that is a good question to break the ice for all concerned.) After attending an administrators meeting last week, I received a phone call from a colleague who did not know about my cancer situation. She went through treatments a few years ago and called to offer support. I was very moved and we are having lunch this week.

Overall, I am doing quite well considering the fact that each week my blood stream is being filled with toxic chemicals! I am eating well and getting as much rest if not sleep as my body tells me. It is an emotional roller coaster at times but again overall I am in good spirits.

Thanks for reading my blog. It is very helpful for me to write. If you would like to receive email updates, you can sign up on the tab at the right. I recently changed the process to make it easier. You only have to input your email address and you will receive an update each time I make an entry.

Be well; be at peace; and practice loving-kindness.

XOXO, Bonnie