Chemo Cycle #6 12/10/13

We  had great news on our visit to the Doctor. He explained this new medicine Taxotere is equivalent to Adriamycin they have to separate them into different cycles. We saw the images where it shrunk my left side of the supraclavicular lymph nodes and under my armpit axillary lymph nodes.It hasn't spread to other organs. Progress is Good.  Doctor says Taxotere medicine will continue to shrink the tumor on my breast. I'm still having same symptoms on my breast. Shooting pains are less lighter. I suggested to doctor I wait to go see surgeon since I'm going to have double mastectomy. He understood my point of view. My red blood cells were low I will need to bring that count up by next week on my lab work only appt Dec. 18 th?  Chemo  #7 treatment is Dec 31 New Year's Eve and last Chemo # 8 treatment in Jan 21,2014... A Pet Scan will be scheduled then. I'm assuming by Feb I'll have surgery.

And I asked doctor if I was going to need Radiation therapy he said Yes! He explained whenever surgery is done that the possibilities of cancer returning will be at the Stitching site.  That's why you need Radiation. Made sense to me I agreed . Doctor wanted to know my side effects on my last treatment w/Taxotere . He made a change where nurse set infusion pump to go slower with all medicines into my port. It seemed to help my taste bud wasn't chili hot today and no mouth sores no complication swallowing. First week your always feeling fatigue and I'm on a 3 day steroid and it effects retaining fluids in your body. My feet swell and my knuckles feel stiff . So I need to stretch daily too keep blood circulating. I enjoyed seeing everyone at X-mas Party.  I'm at the end of my first journey. Thank you for being a part of my life and lifting me up with your greetings, cards and calls and nourishing me through each day.

With love,

Rachel