The deal
I have so much new information today that I'm not sure how to give it all except just to list it.
1. I have stage 2 breast cancer. Dr. Glick is not dismayed by the presence of seven positive lymph nodes. It is still totally curable, and everyone is very optimistic.
2. I am going to participate in a clinical trial (on which Glick is a sub-investigator; but still, it's a good trial - no placebo, etc). The study is for women with node-positive breast cancer to compare the effects of three combinations of chemo drugs to find out which is best at treating this kind of cancer. The first two arms are standard; the third is more experimental.
Arm 1: Adriamycin, Cytoxan, Taxotere: every three weeks for six cycles
Arm 2: Adriamycin, Cytoxan every two weeks for four cycles; then Taxol every two weeks for four cycles
Arm 3: Adriamycin, Cytoxan every two weeks for four cycles; then Taxol plus Gemzar (gemcitabine) every two weeks for four cycles
I will be randomly placed into one of the three arms, and I'll find that out next week. I'm fine with any of the three. Dr. Glick strongly encouraged me to participate, but stressed that I do not have to. Jason asked him why some people don't participate. In a nutshell, if you don't, you are either too old, sick, or stupid. Young, healthy, smart people have no excuse. Since I like to include myself in the latter group, I'm signing up to be a guinea pig!
3. Chemo starts two weeks from today (July 19), which is excellent because it will give me time to move, unpack, and organize our new apartment!
4. Dr. Glick:
- not a big fan of the alternative therapies. Vitamins, herbs, acupuncture -- no, no, no;
- sometimes discusses topics that are slightly embarrassing when my parents are in the room;
- says I am healing extremely well from surgery;
- gave me a big hug at the end of the meeting.
5. Also had a MUGA scan today to make sure my ticker is ticking correctly and can withstand the barrage of drugs that I'm about to get.
6. I am having a packing party on Saturday afternoon/early evening. Never heard of a packing party? Well, it's the latest thing. Y'all come over, I give you pizza and beer (the organic and special foods party will be held soon after I finish all this stuff), and you help me pack! It's super fun. If you can and want to make it, let me know!
7. Tomorrow is the CT scan. Hoping that that reveals no surprises.
I think that's all for now. Hope some of you can make it on Saturday!
1. I have stage 2 breast cancer. Dr. Glick is not dismayed by the presence of seven positive lymph nodes. It is still totally curable, and everyone is very optimistic.
2. I am going to participate in a clinical trial (on which Glick is a sub-investigator; but still, it's a good trial - no placebo, etc). The study is for women with node-positive breast cancer to compare the effects of three combinations of chemo drugs to find out which is best at treating this kind of cancer. The first two arms are standard; the third is more experimental.
Arm 1: Adriamycin, Cytoxan, Taxotere: every three weeks for six cycles
Arm 2: Adriamycin, Cytoxan every two weeks for four cycles; then Taxol every two weeks for four cycles
Arm 3: Adriamycin, Cytoxan every two weeks for four cycles; then Taxol plus Gemzar (gemcitabine) every two weeks for four cycles
I will be randomly placed into one of the three arms, and I'll find that out next week. I'm fine with any of the three. Dr. Glick strongly encouraged me to participate, but stressed that I do not have to. Jason asked him why some people don't participate. In a nutshell, if you don't, you are either too old, sick, or stupid. Young, healthy, smart people have no excuse. Since I like to include myself in the latter group, I'm signing up to be a guinea pig!
3. Chemo starts two weeks from today (July 19), which is excellent because it will give me time to move, unpack, and organize our new apartment!
4. Dr. Glick:
- not a big fan of the alternative therapies. Vitamins, herbs, acupuncture -- no, no, no;
- sometimes discusses topics that are slightly embarrassing when my parents are in the room;
- says I am healing extremely well from surgery;
- gave me a big hug at the end of the meeting.
5. Also had a MUGA scan today to make sure my ticker is ticking correctly and can withstand the barrage of drugs that I'm about to get.
6. I am having a packing party on Saturday afternoon/early evening. Never heard of a packing party? Well, it's the latest thing. Y'all come over, I give you pizza and beer (the organic and special foods party will be held soon after I finish all this stuff), and you help me pack! It's super fun. If you can and want to make it, let me know!
7. Tomorrow is the CT scan. Hoping that that reveals no surprises.
I think that's all for now. Hope some of you can make it on Saturday!
posted by Rachel Troxell at 8:15 PM
2 Comments:
Dear Rachel,
This is Len Kates, Pittsfield MA. (You, your parents and I went for pizza together in Pittsfield).
I am so sorry you are going through dealing with cancer, and that other thing, in and of its self, chemo therapy. (Your parents may send you a copy of my e-mail, (I asked them too), wherein the bottom line is that I had cancer, (testicular, stomach, and lungs), and I had that other thing,intensive chem therapy. I had four courses of chemo, seven days in the hospital, receiving chemo 24X7, then two weeks off, with support from visiting nurses, friends, family, and others who had gone thorugh chemo, as well as from others who were also going through chemo.
My doctor didn't believe in the alternative treatments either. He used aggressive chemo treatment. It made total sense to me. I listened to him. I dug in, and dealt with the chemo treatment.
You have my support, prayers, and love. So do your parents and your boyfriend, who will be going through their own kinds of reactions, even though they are not the ones with cancer, nor the ones receiving chemo.
Being male, with my kind of vanities, wig was not an issue for me. I do remember how strange it felt to feel the variations of temperatures on my bald head, and at first dealing with being seen without any hair on my head and body for so long.
Another thought:I found watching comedies and comedians very very very helpful. (I stayed way from anything else, including world and local news).
So, I could go on and on, but would rather wait to hear from you, and/or to respond to your blogging, which is wonderful communion and communication.
Len
Hi Rachel,
This is Barbara Taubman. Last year I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. I had a mastectomy followed by 4 cycles of AC every two weeks. My oncologist initially recommended that I continue with Taxol for 4 additional cycles. In my case, however, since I am estrogen receptor positive, the greatest benefit to me would come from Arimidex (like Tamoxifin), and so I decided to proceed to that hormone therapy. We know you will get through this. All the side effects are temporary and all pass. I would be pleased to correspond with you but only if you wish, of course. Love, Barbara
Post a Comment
<< Home