Treatment Plan and...
This morning Victoria and I had the BIG meeting to discuss her treatment plan with our medical oncologist. First she had what is becoming an all too frequent physical exam by the doctor. Victoria is not bothered by this and neither am I, as I know they are just confirming what the other doctors have felt and are looking for other changes in her body. After Victoria's exam the doctor is ready to discuss the pathology results of the biopsy that was performed on Monday.
The biopsied lymph nodes have come back negative for cancer! This comes as surprising news as the surgical oncologist was 99% positive the nodes were infected according to the PET scan results and his examination. Both Victoria and I are happy to hear this news.
Next we discuss Victoria's cancer with the doctor. He explains that her cancer is a pregnancy related breast cancer. This is an area in breast cancer that is not widely discussed. The increased hormone levels, specifically estrogen during the pregnancy is what caused her cancer to develop. The doctor subsequently discusses that studies have found that taking a baby size aspirin (not the big pill) everyday is completely safe, before, during and after pregnancy and can inhibit the development of pregnancy related breast cancer. The baby aspirin regimen can continue for several years after the pregnancy.
The doctor is now ready to give Victoria the treatment plan. She will be on TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin) chemotherapy for approximately 4.5 months. She will receive chemotherapy every 21 days during that 4.5 months. The goal of the chemotherapy is to kill as many cancer cells as possible and shrink the tumor. After the 4.5 months of chemo has been completed Victoria will require surgery. Dependent upon how well Victoria's cancer responds to the chemo, will chart the course for the surgery. After surgery and recovery she will require radiation treatment to target and kill any possible left over cancer cells.
"Are you comfortable with this plan, does this plan sound good to you?" The doctor asks to Victoria. Victoria and I gaze at one another. We have been sitting with our doctor for about an hour now. We have gone through so much material, been educated in detail regarding Victoria's cancer, the doctor has thoroughly answered any and all questions that we've had. "Yes," Victoria agrees. "Okay, I have a slot reserved for you in infusion (this is what they call chemotherapy), immediately following this appointment," responds the doctor. I ask Victoria if she is comfortable with this, and she gives me a confident and positive yes.
Although this all may seem very fast Victoria was clearly eager to start treatment. Today was not sad, but good. We came to the States to get the answers we wanted to all of our questions, and we did. We came back to make sure all the diagnostics were performed and a plan to attack this was outlined, and we have received all of that. We came back because Victoria was ready for an aggressive approach, and today she was given that aggressive approach and ready to go.
Victoria received her first chemo treatment this afternoon. It took roughly five hours, since it was her first time and there were some delays regarding the drugs that were ordered for her. Victoria was calm and in good spirits during the entire treatment. She is so positive and so strong. We played a little scrabble, and she was beating me pretty bad. Then we ordered some lunch, watched some t.v. and just talked.
It's late and has been a long day, so I'll wrap this up. So far no terrible side affects. Yes, those are expected to come, but right now my beautiful wife is in great spirits. Let's all keep rooting for her, be strong, and never loose faith as Victoria dances in the ring with this terrible thing called cancer.
The biopsied lymph nodes have come back negative for cancer! This comes as surprising news as the surgical oncologist was 99% positive the nodes were infected according to the PET scan results and his examination. Both Victoria and I are happy to hear this news.
Next we discuss Victoria's cancer with the doctor. He explains that her cancer is a pregnancy related breast cancer. This is an area in breast cancer that is not widely discussed. The increased hormone levels, specifically estrogen during the pregnancy is what caused her cancer to develop. The doctor subsequently discusses that studies have found that taking a baby size aspirin (not the big pill) everyday is completely safe, before, during and after pregnancy and can inhibit the development of pregnancy related breast cancer. The baby aspirin regimen can continue for several years after the pregnancy.
The doctor is now ready to give Victoria the treatment plan. She will be on TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin) chemotherapy for approximately 4.5 months. She will receive chemotherapy every 21 days during that 4.5 months. The goal of the chemotherapy is to kill as many cancer cells as possible and shrink the tumor. After the 4.5 months of chemo has been completed Victoria will require surgery. Dependent upon how well Victoria's cancer responds to the chemo, will chart the course for the surgery. After surgery and recovery she will require radiation treatment to target and kill any possible left over cancer cells.
"Are you comfortable with this plan, does this plan sound good to you?" The doctor asks to Victoria. Victoria and I gaze at one another. We have been sitting with our doctor for about an hour now. We have gone through so much material, been educated in detail regarding Victoria's cancer, the doctor has thoroughly answered any and all questions that we've had. "Yes," Victoria agrees. "Okay, I have a slot reserved for you in infusion (this is what they call chemotherapy), immediately following this appointment," responds the doctor. I ask Victoria if she is comfortable with this, and she gives me a confident and positive yes.
Although this all may seem very fast Victoria was clearly eager to start treatment. Today was not sad, but good. We came to the States to get the answers we wanted to all of our questions, and we did. We came back to make sure all the diagnostics were performed and a plan to attack this was outlined, and we have received all of that. We came back because Victoria was ready for an aggressive approach, and today she was given that aggressive approach and ready to go.
Victoria received her first chemo treatment this afternoon. It took roughly five hours, since it was her first time and there were some delays regarding the drugs that were ordered for her. Victoria was calm and in good spirits during the entire treatment. She is so positive and so strong. We played a little scrabble, and she was beating me pretty bad. Then we ordered some lunch, watched some t.v. and just talked.
It's late and has been a long day, so I'll wrap this up. So far no terrible side affects. Yes, those are expected to come, but right now my beautiful wife is in great spirits. Let's all keep rooting for her, be strong, and never loose faith as Victoria dances in the ring with this terrible thing called cancer.
I'm so happy to hear that you guys have received answers and a plan so quickly, although I'm sure that at times it has seemed like a lifetime waiting. It sounds like you have some great providers who really know what they're doing. I'm surprised to hear that your breast cancer is partially due to breastfeeding because estrogen levels during lactation are extremely low. In fact, that's why they believe breastfeeding helps lower the risk. I'm going to have to do more research on this. Very interesting, actually! I know it seems so unfair to have done everything right only to be faced with this. You are both so positive and determined to kick cancer ass so I have no doubts that's exactly what you'll do. Thanks for the blog! I know many of us here are worried about you and want to do what we can to support you in your journey.
ReplyDelete~Carolyn
Carolyn, you are correct. I've edited my post to reflect that estrogen levels increase during pregnancy. Estrogen is actually lower in breast feeding women not higher, which in ongoing studies is believed to lower breastfeeding women's risk of breast cancer. Victoria's cancer is tied to the pregnancy and increased estrogen levels, not the breastfeeding. Lots of thoughts to recollect from our day yesterday...
DeleteOff to a great start, thanks for sharing your journey with all of us who are praying with and for you- hang in there, all of you!! xo
ReplyDelete