9/19/16 Continuation of Treatment - Herceptin & Arimidex - where we go from here.....

Everyone keeps saying "you're done, now you can move on".  I chuckle and think to myself.....if only it was that simple.  Sadly, me being "Done", couldn't be further from the truth!   I'm NOT done, far from it actually. 

Although, I've completed the "major" parts of my treatment, I still have to go for Herceptin treatment thru the chest port (oh that damn chest port) every 3 weeks until what looks like March of 2017 and I'll be on a drug called Arimidex for the next 10 years of my life, not to mention a few more surgeries on the horizon within the next year, I'd say I still have a long way to go, but as always, hopeful and full of gratitude!! 

Herceptin is nothing new for me as I had begun with that from the very start with the beginning chemo back in January 2016.  Because I am HER2+, it is a targeted treatment that helps reduce estrogen production which causes certain breast cancers. 

Arimidex is an Aromatase Inhibitor which also reduces estrogen production.  People that are Post Menopausal tend to go on this drug.  I am beginning this today 9/19/16 and will be on it, assuming I can tolerate it, for the next 10 years of my life.  The lovely side effects that go along with Arimidex are - hot flashes, joint & muscles pain, bone loss, hair thinning among many others - sounds fun right?  If my joint pain gets any worse, I worry that I might not be able to walk, it's that bad!  Time will tell and I'm hopeful that I can tolerate the drug and not have any major side effects.

9/19/16 Rheumotologist - Oh the Joint Pain!

Beginning mid July, I started having some joint pain, mainly in the ankles.  I didn't think much of it because when we went on vacation we did ALOT of walking, so I thought it was just that.  However, since then, the joint pain that began in my ankles has moved up to my knees, my hips, my shoulders, my elbows, my wrists, my hand knuckles all the way full circle to my toes!  I have a pretty high threshold for pain, but this is unreal!  It's excruciating!!!  Its painful to walk and my hand and feet are swollen.  I can't even wear my wedding rings and half my shoes don't fit.  I mentioned it to my obgyn oncologist at my follow up appointment from my hysterectomy & oophorectomy surgery and also to my regular oncologist and they both agreed that these are not normal side effects from treatment or the recent surgery.  All the potential reasons of why I would have joint pain are not issues for me and they cannot figure out WHY I am having the severe pain.  Meanwhile, I am at the point in my treatment where Dr. Browne wants me to start Arimidex, which is the medication I will be on for the next 10 years.  It's an estrogen blocker which I will need to take to prevent recurrence, but one of the side effects of this drug is that it does cause joint pain.  Both oncologists suggested I go see a rheumatologist to see if there was something else going on that is causing the pain through every major joint area within my body.  Because of this, they want me to hold off on starting Arimidex until I see the rheumatologist to not alter any tests they might have me go thru.


On 9/19/16, I went to see Dr. John Gorman, he reviewed my case and he did an evaluation.  He also suggested that I get a full blood work up with some very specific tests to see if there is any issues.  Got all the tests done today.  The results came back reflecting that I have a Positive ANA which is an indicator of Lupus, however, all other variables that would indicate Lupus, are negative.  I also had elevated levels of inflammation.  The end result is that nothing they saw on the blood testing indicates why I am having the joint pain or what can be potentially causing it from that perspective.  Back to square one with the pain.   I hope this isn't going to be the "new normal" because I must say, my whole body HURTS constantly!!!

9/2/16 End of Radiation

I've been looking forward to this day ALMOST as much as I did to the end of chemo, almost!  Today completes my Radiation treatment - whaaahoooo!!!! Six weeks (28 sessions) of radiation is done!  Overall, I've held up pretty good considering all things!  The side effects are cumulative and I was doing great until the last week.  That's when the side effects kicked in for me.  I never really had any additional fatigue, but the skin changes appeared despite my treating my skin with Aquaphor and Eucerin.  My right chest wall is what was radiated directly.  When I look at my right chest side, it now looks like a have a REALLY dark brown/red tan/burn.  It really hurts.  Apparently, it may get worse before it gets better as the effects are cumulative.  Doctors orders were to continue with the lotions and if it becomes blistery, skin breaks or bleeds to contact them immediately.  I thought I got lucky with no effects, but not a chance!  I'll take the skin changes because it represents another phase DONE!  I even received a Radiation Completed DIPLOMA!  As proud I am of my MBA, this diploma means more than words can express!  It's a LIFE SAVING diploma!