Journal Entry-February 16, 2010
Dr. Go decided to permanently stop my Herceptin treatments due to decreased heart function. At some point in the next few months he will repeat the Echo to see if my heart function has returned to normal. Usually heart damage from Herceptin is not permanent. I can't say that I'm sorry to hear the news! I truly believe that the Herceptin is causing this flu syndrome every 2 or 3 weeks, so hopefully once it is out of my system I'll be feeling better. Dr. Go did give me an antibiotic since I've been sick all weekend.
The next step is scheduling my excisional biopsy in the next few weeks. Thanks for praying!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
"In the Middle"
Journal Entry-February 12, 2010
Out of the three options for my path reports, I fell in the middle! Atypical cells. So I will have to have them all removed and get "clear margins", but I am very happy they aren't malignant. I feel like we are heading this off at the pass. I'm also glad that I was persistent about my concerns with the doctors. Dr. Go and Dr. Rippon have said "You never say never with cancer." Both of them said they felt comfortable not doing anything about these calcifications, but there was no way to know for sure without looking at it. So I'm glad we did! They will schedule the surgery soon and I'll post the date when I know something. I'll get the other test results next Tuesday. Thanks for praying!
Out of the three options for my path reports, I fell in the middle! Atypical cells. So I will have to have them all removed and get "clear margins", but I am very happy they aren't malignant. I feel like we are heading this off at the pass. I'm also glad that I was persistent about my concerns with the doctors. Dr. Go and Dr. Rippon have said "You never say never with cancer." Both of them said they felt comfortable not doing anything about these calcifications, but there was no way to know for sure without looking at it. So I'm glad we did! They will schedule the surgery soon and I'll post the date when I know something. I'll get the other test results next Tuesday. Thanks for praying!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Herceptin Holiday
Journal Entry-February 11, 2010
I had a Herceptin Holiday this week! I've been having shortness of breath and a heavy feeling in my chest. So Dr. Go put off my Herceptin until I've had an Echocardiogram and chest x-ray. I go back to follow-up with him next Tuesday.
My biopsy went well yesterday. It was actually amazing that they can do that whole process with tissue as small as 2mm! It was very interesting to view the pictures and the sample when it was over. They removed the largest "cluster" of calcifications, but there are still more there. The tissue will either be benign, atypical, or malignant. If they are atypical or malignant I will have to have an outpatient surgical procedure to remove all of them. I may know results tomorrow, but maybe not until Monday. Thanks for your prayers!
I had a Herceptin Holiday this week! I've been having shortness of breath and a heavy feeling in my chest. So Dr. Go put off my Herceptin until I've had an Echocardiogram and chest x-ray. I go back to follow-up with him next Tuesday.
My biopsy went well yesterday. It was actually amazing that they can do that whole process with tissue as small as 2mm! It was very interesting to view the pictures and the sample when it was over. They removed the largest "cluster" of calcifications, but there are still more there. The tissue will either be benign, atypical, or malignant. If they are atypical or malignant I will have to have an outpatient surgical procedure to remove all of them. I may know results tomorrow, but maybe not until Monday. Thanks for your prayers!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
"Much More"
Journal Entry-February 4, 2010
"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:30
"Consider how "much more" your Father will clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him. Every time we have gone back in spiritual communion it has been because we have impertinently known better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed the cares of the world to come in, and have forgotten the "much more" of our Heavenly Father...If we are not experiencing the "much more" of the Heavenly Father, it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us, we are taken up with confusing considerations. How much time have we taken up worrying God with questions when we should have been absolutely free to concentrate on His work? We cannot consecrate once and for all. Am I continually separating myself to consider God every day of my life? The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entering in, will choke all that God puts in. We are never free from the recurring tides of this encroachment. If it does not come along the lines of clothes and food, it will come on the line of money or lack of money; of friends or lack of friends; or on the line of difficult circumstances...Look again and think. Keep your mind on the "much more" of your Heavenly Father." From My Utmost for His Highest
I'm finding it very hard in this new year to consider the "much more" of my Heavenly Father. The continual encroachment of life is overwhelming at times! I hope this encourages you, as it has me, to keep considering this "much more"! Without it, we are truly lost!
My mammogram from December 29 showed some micro calcifications near the former tumor site. They don't necessarily cause concern, but the only way to tell for sure is to biopsy. I met with Dr. Rippon on Tuesday and she decided to do a "stereotactic needle biopsy". I feel better knowing that they are going to find out for sure what it is and I'm glad it doesn't involve another out-patient surgery. I will have it done next Wednesday, February 10. I'll post results as soon as I have them.
I am slowly realizing that my side effects from the Herceptin are cumulative. I've done some more research to see what I could find out on my own before I discuss them with Dr. Go next Tuesday, February 9.
So many people ask me exactly what Herceptin is and I have a hard time describing it. So here's a definition. It is an antibody designed to target and block the function of HER2, a protein produced by a specific gene with cancer causing potential. Twenty to thirty percent of all breast cancer patients are HER2 positive. Sometimes it is combined with chemo drugs, but it is mostly prescribed the first year following the end of chemotherapy. I was told I would have it by infusion once every 3 weeks for 17 treatments. I have 7 treatments left. At first, the fatigue, runny nose, and back ache were tolerable. But lately I have a persistent cough with outbreaks of cold and flu symptoms every 3 weeks. At first I thought I was just tired and catching everything my class had to offer! But when I looked at the dates it was just too predictable! I'm hoping Dr. Go has something to help with the side effects. I need to stick with it until my last treatment in June. I appreciate all those who are still praying for me and my family! I can feel it daily!
"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:30
"Consider how "much more" your Father will clothe you, if you keep your relationship right with Him. Every time we have gone back in spiritual communion it has been because we have impertinently known better than Jesus Christ. We have allowed the cares of the world to come in, and have forgotten the "much more" of our Heavenly Father...If we are not experiencing the "much more" of the Heavenly Father, it is because we are not obeying the life God has given us, we are taken up with confusing considerations. How much time have we taken up worrying God with questions when we should have been absolutely free to concentrate on His work? We cannot consecrate once and for all. Am I continually separating myself to consider God every day of my life? The cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entering in, will choke all that God puts in. We are never free from the recurring tides of this encroachment. If it does not come along the lines of clothes and food, it will come on the line of money or lack of money; of friends or lack of friends; or on the line of difficult circumstances...Look again and think. Keep your mind on the "much more" of your Heavenly Father." From My Utmost for His Highest
I'm finding it very hard in this new year to consider the "much more" of my Heavenly Father. The continual encroachment of life is overwhelming at times! I hope this encourages you, as it has me, to keep considering this "much more"! Without it, we are truly lost!
My mammogram from December 29 showed some micro calcifications near the former tumor site. They don't necessarily cause concern, but the only way to tell for sure is to biopsy. I met with Dr. Rippon on Tuesday and she decided to do a "stereotactic needle biopsy". I feel better knowing that they are going to find out for sure what it is and I'm glad it doesn't involve another out-patient surgery. I will have it done next Wednesday, February 10. I'll post results as soon as I have them.
I am slowly realizing that my side effects from the Herceptin are cumulative. I've done some more research to see what I could find out on my own before I discuss them with Dr. Go next Tuesday, February 9.
So many people ask me exactly what Herceptin is and I have a hard time describing it. So here's a definition. It is an antibody designed to target and block the function of HER2, a protein produced by a specific gene with cancer causing potential. Twenty to thirty percent of all breast cancer patients are HER2 positive. Sometimes it is combined with chemo drugs, but it is mostly prescribed the first year following the end of chemotherapy. I was told I would have it by infusion once every 3 weeks for 17 treatments. I have 7 treatments left. At first, the fatigue, runny nose, and back ache were tolerable. But lately I have a persistent cough with outbreaks of cold and flu symptoms every 3 weeks. At first I thought I was just tired and catching everything my class had to offer! But when I looked at the dates it was just too predictable! I'm hoping Dr. Go has something to help with the side effects. I need to stick with it until my last treatment in June. I appreciate all those who are still praying for me and my family! I can feel it daily!
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