Team Fight Like a Girl

I am happy to report that everything was normal with my scans and there were no concerns this time around. My MUGA scan was a bit lower then last time with a score of 63%, but still above the 50% that we want to be at. The CT scan showed the same liver lesion that was seen before, no change in size and some air that was still in my abdominal cavity from my surgery. The surgery went well. I just have a little tenderness here and there. It seems that I am starting to get more hot flashes, but I will have to learn to deal with that. The biopsy report from my ovaries was that they were normal, functional ovaries with cysts. I am now on Femera, which is a hormonal drug that I take orally everyday. I will continue with the Hercepitn every 3 weeks. My bloodwork was good as well, platelets a little low, but nothing to be too concerned about. My tumor marker was 16.4, so that is in the normal range as well. Looks like the drugs continue to do the job on keeping the cancer away.

I would like to invite everyone to join team Fight Like a Girl for a breast cancer walk in St. Cloud on Saturday, October 10th. Here is the link to register and I require everyone who wants to walk to donate $10.00 and also to ask family and friends for donations as I have a team goal of $100.00, but I think that we should have no trouble meeting that goal. If you are unable to join us, you can donate to the team and that will go towards our goal, even if it's only $5.00 every little bit helps. Here is the link and I hope it is easy to register or donate.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?sid=55931&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=20209


Also if you would like to purchase some Fight Like a Girl apparel here is the link for that.

http://www.signifypromotions.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=PINK

I couldn't get the link to copy right so just highlight the website, copy & paste it in the address bar.

Oophorectomy

I am scheduled for an oophorectomy tomorrow morning at 8AM. Feeling a little anxious and irritable as I am not sure what to expect for surgery or after. I know that it will all go well, but nervous about being put under for the first time and what will I feel like afterwards. The tamoxifen that I take is suppose to put me into menopause, but I still have some estrogen in my body, so having the ovaries taken out will definitely put me into menopause and that is my worry for the after effects of this surgery. Although I think that my body has been preparing me this week as it seems that I am having more hot flashes then normal the past few days. I will be taking a few days off from work as they are doing it laparoscopically, so not much down time when the ovaries and tubes are removed this way. If all goes well I should be on my way home by noon tomorrow. My mom is one the way up to help with the boys this weekend and they are excited to see their grandma and spend time with her as one is still up asking when will she be here.

I will start a new drug called Femera shortly after my surgery. This is another hormonal therapy drug that is for post menopausal women. The tamoxifen that I am taking is for pre menopausal, so I will no longer be on that. Unfortunately on Monday I have to have my bloodwork, MUGA scan and CT scan done in order to continue my Herceptin treatment. I never look forward to this time. If only I could freeze time. I had an appointment on Tuesday and they would not give me the Herceptin as I have had 3 treatments since my last MUGA scan and they want to make sure that my heart is staying strong since I am so young. I feel that I'm in good care when they take precautionary steps such as that. I will meet with the oncologist on Wednesday for the results and will then have my Herceptin infusion if all is well after that.

We had a great time on our vacation in Branson. What beautiful country and we had great weather while we were there to enjoy our time off from everyday normal life. The boys both celebrated their birthdays while we were there. I can't believe that Griffin is already 1 and Brock 4. Time flies. When I got home, it seemed as I was thinking back to what we were experiencing a year ago from that time, all the worries, the unknowns, and fears. I did not sign up for this, but I think that I have been a team player and what I have experience has made a difference in my life. I don't sweat the small stuff anymore and in general enjoy everyday things in my life that I used to take for granted, which we all need to do, as no one knows what lies ahead of them. Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes for tomorrow.


Griffin enjoying his birthday cake


Brock swimming at the pool in Branson