What's Up Doc?

On Tuesday, we met with my oncologist for the first time, Dr. Robert Ellis (DRE).  Let me tell you, this guy is SMART and came highly recommended.  I must say I've felt like my breasts and I have been in excellent hands during this whole wild and crazy journey.  Richard and I were surprisingly calm as we entered the Hulston Cancer Center.  I think we were just ready to get a plan.

After some initial blood work, we were taken back to the exam room where we me Dr. Ellis.  He was confident, professional, but also warm and sympathetic.  Even though it wasn't his first rodeo, he was sympathetic to the fact that it was ours.  After he got our story and did a quick exam, he returned to give us the facts and the game plan.

The Facts:

• My cancer is aggressive.  Invasive ductal carcinoma.  HR- (hormone receptor), HER2+ (that has something to do with a protein).  HER2+ is actually a good thing, as there are drugs that can help keep this nasty little bitch cancer away.  
• Without treatment, DRE guessed my cancer had a return rate hovering around 50%.  I've got to be honest, it's a good thing Richard and I were sitting down when we heard that number.  I don't think either of us was prepared to hear that.  Richard even said his legs felt like Jell-o after the 50% bomb was dropped.  BOOM!  
• If the cancer did come back it would obviously hit somewhere else... Only if it hit again, it isn't as easy as cutting off a body part.  It could surface again in my liver, bones or blood.  NO THANK YOU!  
• With treatment, my cancer return rate drops to around 15%.

The Plan:

• 6 chemo treatments, 1 every 3 weeks.  They said the first appointment would last about 8 hours, due to some chemo education and that they would be administering my medicine very slowly to make sure there are no reactions.  After the initial treatment my appointments should be reduced down to about 5 hours.  
• 1 shot needed following each treatment to help keep my blood counts up.  
• 1 year of Herceptin after my treatment.  It's a medicine that will help keep my cancer from coming back.  It will be administered through my port, too.  

DRE also ordered a blood chemistry, an electrocardiogram, and a PET scan, just to make sure the rest of my body isn't trying to kill me.  I'm thankful to the Cox scheduling girl who got a bit feisty on my behalf so I could get my electrocardiogram that day and my PET scan scheduled the following day.  Shout out to the Cox team!  For the most part, I have gotten excellent customer service there - with the exception of the lady who looked like Stiffler's mom from American Pie at one of the registration desks.  She seemed a bit irritated that I had cancer and had the gall to check in for my appointment.    

Yes, I will be losing my hair and apparently you lose it everywhere; so the carpet will match the drapes.  Or more accurately, there will be no drapes and no carpet.  I plan on getting my hair cut soon just to help Mason and I make the transition.  

I knew chemo was a possibility.  While I was hoping to avoid it, hearing the 50% return rate frankly scared the shit out of us!  With that high of a return rate, I feel blessed that chemo is an option.  I will gladly take it if I can reduce my risks that much.  

After hearing the plan, Richard and I were in really good spirits.  We do much better knowing a plan, even if the plan is difficult, it feels good to be moving forward.  We are ready to kick cancers ass!