3 chemo’s left! 🥳
Friday
I had labs, visited the doctor, and had chemo. Aaron and I had a list of questions for the doctor and he took time to discuss them with us. He seemed to give us more explanation than usual, which I appreciated.
The liver drama continues…
The doctor told me he reduced the dose (last month) because I was anxious about my LFT’s … which is funny because I didnt even understand the significance of it until he offered to reduce or skip the dose. 🙄 My ALT was even higher today, in the 140’s. It’s fine, everything is fine. 👀
My breast tumor is still there, but not well-defined. I cannot feel my lymph nodes, so I assume they are responding to chemo as well🤞
The doctor told me he would communicate with the nurse navigator regarding the treatment timeline. The navigator will contact the surgeon (Moline) for a tentative surgery date since I’m getting closer to the end of chemo. My hope is that I can have surgery over summer break.
Chemo went well, we’ve got the routine down. Afterwards, I usually overdo it and feel invincible until Sunday afternoon. Then I start slowing down, I get achey and have brain fog. That lasts a few days and then it’s time for chemo again.
After my appointment, I called CCNW Spokane to let them know I’m interested in resuming care with Dr. Thumma after chemo. Thumma will handle the endocrine/hormone therapy to keep me in menopause along with guide the rest of my treatments or therapies.
Surgery Plans
I’ve been weighing out my surgical options. I’m choosing a bilateral mastectomy over lumpectomy or single mastectomy, Moline will also do a lymph node resection. Pannucci will perform a procedure to reduce lymphedema, a pectoral muscle flap surgery to support my axilla, and place bilateral breast expanders in preparation for radiation therapy. I’m seriously in awe over the microsurgies he will perform, what a life changer.
My options, after mastectomy, are to be surgically flat, have autologous reconstruction, or implants. A flat mastectomy is the safest option but may be psychologically devastating and limits future options. My gut tells me the risks of autologous reconstruction (DIEP flap) outweigh the benefit (very long surgery time, risk of flap loss due to blood supply complications, severe scarring to the abdomen, abdominal numbness, and a much longer hospital stay and recovery). I know implants will require more surgeries and do carry risk, but I am planning to go this route.
Plan: 3 more chemos, 3 more weeks! Surgery date TBD.
Praise: I am confident in my decision to change my care team.
Prayer Request: To fully trust in and rely on God; His peace, His power, and His plan for my life. Some days I lose sight of this and I am overwhelmed with fear. However, I remember His Word written on my heart:
Philippians 4:6-8 (NIV) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
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