CrazyBusy Mama! (Dot Calm)

I’ll be heading into Seattle later today for my next-to-last chemotherapy infusion. Before I do, however, I thought this would be a good time to fill you in on my “timeline.” In other words, what’s still ahead for me — and when — regarding kicking this cancer in the arse. (That’s Olde English for…oh, never mind.)

First of all, in case you’re wondering, the type of cancer I was diagnosed with is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I had one tumor in my left breast and at least one affected lymph node (it looks like a few more were affected, as well, but they weren’t as concerned with those…they’ll all be coming out, anyway). The cancer is estrogen and progesterone negative (not affected by those hormones) and Her2/neu positive. No, I do not know what that means. Could I ask? Could I Google it? Yes. I don’t want to. Right now, I just want to focus on getting well and not get discouraged by all the definitions. I realize that sounds a little childish.

Originally, I’d thought I was told my cancer was “triple negative,” but I found out sometime back that isn’t the case…which is, apparently, a good thing. Her2/neu positive cancers can be treated with Herceptin — more on that in a moment.

So…timeline. Already checked off, aside from the diagnosis and a battery of tests that included a biopsy, a few different MRIs, an abdominal CT scan, two MUGA (heart function) scans, etc., was my first round of chemo which consisted of Adriamycin/Cytoxin, otherwise affectionately referred to as “AC.” It is also known as “red Kool-Aid” and “the red stuff from hell.” (I apologize if that offends you — I’m just reporting it as I hear it. It does, by the way, live up to that last reference very well.)

Next up was Taxol/Herceptin, which I am almost through with. Taxol is the chemo, Herceptin goes along with it to bind with the Her2 receptors in the cancer cells. I’m almost done with the Taxol, but not the Herceptin. I have two more Taxol/Herceptin combo infusions left.

After the Taxol is finished, I’ll continue going in for Herceptin infusions every three weeks through November.

The next “big thing” I’m looking at is surgery. I’ll explain that a little better in another post. I’ll be meeting with my surgeon before the end of the month to discuss what will be happening and to schedule it. I also need to meet with the plastic surgeon again to let him which route I decided to take.

After surgery will be six weeks of radiation therapy. It will be three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Oh…yay. I’m not sure when these treatments will be done — most likely late spring.

So…I’ll be off in Benedryl dreamland later today. Getting there and back might be interesting as Seattle is in the midst of some much hoped-for (by some) wintry weather. Let’s hope I-5 doesn’t become a parking lot.

Have a great Monday, my friends.

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Sally Dinius is writer-in-chief here at CrazyBusyMama.com, a blog created to inspire and motivate busy mamas everywhere to feel healthy, fit, and in control of their lives. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sallydinius, and come join the CrazyBusy Mama Facebook page by clicking here. And don’t forget to check out the new CrazyBusy Mama Quick Guides available for your Kindle or Kindle app!