New Oncologist, New Plan
My appointment with my new oncologist went well. We spent an hour talking about what has transpired so far, and then switched gears to what treatment options may be an option for me.
He was very concerned about my general health and explained that chemotherapy is most effective if it is started within two months of surgery. Too much time has passed and my heart is too damaged from my heart attack for chemotherapy. All cancer treatments tax the cardiovascular system, but I have aortic stenosis and it is nearing the serious stage. In other words, I am facing a valve replacement procedure in the future.
I will be seeing my cardiologist next week. He will order further testing to see if I am a candidate for estrogen suppression therapy, namely a aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitors are a class of medicines that reduce the amount of estrogen in your body, depriving breast cancer cells of the hormones they need to grow and the type of cancer I have is ER positive. Again, my heart condition will be a factor as well as the health of my bones. I already have osteoporosis, so I’m scheduled for a bone density scan later this month. Estrogen protects bones and the medication will deplete what estrogen remains in my body.
I have an appointment with a radiologist this month as well, Radiation therapy will fall into the same scenario as above. Since the tumor was in my left breast, as well as multiple lymph glands on my left side, my heart would be at risk. Radiation can worsen heart damage.
He also feels the nodule that was detected in my right lung has the appearance of squamous cell lung cancer, which is a type of non-small cell lung cancer. Since the nodule is too small to biopsy yet, I will be having another scan in a few months, then proceed from there.
My bloodwork is still abnormal, so my internist has ordered a series of tests, including one to test for Hep C. Something is still very off.
So, while my plate is still very full and the future more than a bit uncertain, I am so relieved to have a professional that is taking my health seriously and looking at the entire picture, rather than pushing me towards a treatment that may do more harm than good.
It’s been such an emotional rollercoaster since my diagnosis last year. I’ve had two surgeons, three surgeries and now I’ve seen two oncologists. My appointment calendar for December is filling up fast. While others are rushing about with plans of preparing for the holidays, we rush to waiting room after waiting room, always with silent hopes that our 20 year old vehicle gets us to our destination. But, I also realize it could be worse. Much worse.
I have met many cancer patients over this past year and so many are hanging on by a thread. Last week, an elderly women came out into the waiting room after her consult. She had the most beautiful sparkling blue eyes, but they were overflowing with tears. After a nurse parked her wheelchair next to a window, her husband pulled up in their vehicle outside. I walked over to help her put her coat on, then waited to help her through the double doors to her car. She thanked me multiple times, placing her thin hand on top of my own. “Oh, you are just so kind, you don’t need to do this, I’ll be ok”.
I bent down and gave her a gentle hug. I told her that I didn’t mind helping her and to please take care. I’ve been in a wheelchair before. I’ve had to depend on the kindness of strangers more times than I care to remember. It is a vulnerable and often lonely place to be. If I can help just one person feel as if they matter on any given day, then that’s a good thing.
“Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.” – Jesse Jackson.
*I have a GoFundMe account to help us afford transportation for so very many medical appointments and a mountain of medical bills. Any and all donations are appreciated as well as your good thoughts. My heartfelt thanks to those who have made this a bit less difficult.
GoFundMe For Cancer Treatment
