# 7 (Taxotere) 1-7-14

Surgeon visit everything looked good my breast was shrinking,it's dry and scaling she said its a good sign. As for my pains I just have to take Aleve. She requested for me to complete #8 Chemo Treatment  Jan 21. 

Surgeon has schedule Surgery on Feb.10,2014.

She explained the preparation for surgery 

My left side only all lymph nodes will be removed sent to pathologist and checked for the presence of cancer or not.  I'll get a report after 1 week.  The qty removed and infected.

I am hoping that some of the effects from my treatment will not be as severe,but now I know I'm at the end !!!!! 

Love

Rachel

12/31/13 # 7 Cycle ( Taxotere )

Happy New Years to all my family and friends! Thank you again for all your prayers and support- you are what keeps my going!! Seven down and one to go. I'm in the chemo finish line! Jan 21st #8.....On yesterday treatment and Dr. visit he documents my side effects which I was put on antibiotic 

Amox-Clav 875mg and eye drops Moxeza. I came down with allergys sneezing and my eyes were running with fluids 24/7. No temperature higher than 100.4 then I must go directly to emergency hospital in Houston Beechnut . I told him I was still in pain on my left breast it's still swollen and redness pains are coming from my underarm lymph nodes to where I can't reach with that hand. Discomfort where I can't even sleep on my left side otherwise I'm in pain. Dr looked at my breast and noticed no changed from last treatment so he recommend ASAP to schedule appt. Thursday with my breast surgeon. Dr said he would be communicating with her to see what they decide to do after she examine me. I will get back with you'll with results. I was trying to maintain my pain til the end of my 8 treatment. I wanted to be healed completed from those cancerous cells before I go into surgery.

Dr said you've been on antibiotic twice and that still hasn't helped your swelling on your breast so that's why I recommend you go to your surgeon now! Plus Dr. mention  you know that your having a  

Mastectomy  I said yes a double mastectomy .This morning I'm feeling good just moving around baby steps so you won't be stiff . Going to change my diet this first 10 days not to eat roughage foods to prevent my mouth sores. New Year Day I'm eating pasta and black eyes peas and smoked pork neck bones my kids will be cooking. Please begin to pray for knowledge and wisdom for the doctors and for healing from the surgery. I will be back with answers and update blog when I get seen by breast surgeon.

Love, 

Rachel

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 

#5 cycle 4 days later

11/22/13  @8:55 am

Chemo Cycle #5 w/ Taxotere

We had some great news on our visit to Dr. Shalan where I had Chemo #5 treatment w/ Taxotere new infusion med. It's a total of 4 treatments every 3wks. Labs on the 11-27-13. Chemo cycle # 6 treatment 12-10-13.It's My good week and I will be present in our Xmas party at Benchmark .

I am already getting excited and how special it will be for me to see everyone..

PET  SCAN Results on Nov15 :

The Dr. Said everything looked good and he's very pleased to see the A / C  Infusions was beginning to shrink all my Left Axilla (armpit) Subpectoral  space (Under the clavicle) and left  neck. These are all the malignant lymph nodes. Impression of the Pathology Dr  from Pet Scan report looked Positive Treatment Response .. The 11' and 2" breast tumors where I'm having constant shooting,prickling ,

And a swollen left breast today he examined it.  Pet Scan showed Inflamation to the Breast or thickening of the skin . He's looking forward w/ Taxotere will reduce the swelling on my breast . We're going to monitor it until my next treatment . Otherwise he's requesting for Surgeon to do a biospy on skin . Pet Scan Whole -Body  did not spread to any of my organs . I'm seeking The Lord ,knocking,be patient and Trust in  the Lord. I admit I worry shed a tear. But I find strength in God and His Words.

My HBG (red blood count) I passed it 8.6 the range should be at least 11.7. Dr. Shalan said as longest it's 8 he would let me go . I told him I refuse Blood Transfusion . Give me a different treatment option. I was asked if I was Jehovah Witness . He wants me to bring up 8.6 eat more iron and rich foods by Nov.27 . Thank you all for caring so much through these last four months. Thank you all for lifting me up thus far. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Love Rachel

Update from Surgeon 11-13-13

I had a follow up with my Surgeon Wed.13th I'm still having pain from my underarm to the breast constant shooting pains.She exam doing finger points and had me in tears that lymph node is swollen .

Surgeon said Chemo medication wasn't shrinking the breast.She would be speaking to the Onocologist something needs to be done. She did expedite Pet Scan Fri. 15th. 

Nurse called me and told me I had a chemo treatment on the 19th.

On the 14th I went for blood wk only and she warned me my red blood is low and I must bring it up by Tuesday 19th otherwise they will not give me chemo . They're going to give me a blood transfusion .

I went bought me a iron supplement ,Eating more veggies,liver.

Tuesday  19th I have Chemo Treatment and I should have results from Pet Scan?

Dr will discuss the plan on Chemo and what was discuss between him and Surgeon.

Please pray this week as I go Tuesday for Treatment and My Red blood count be normal.

Love

Rachel

#4 Chemo Treatment

Monday , I had my fourth Chemo Treatment and my Last Infusion with  the Harsh A&C Meds. The after effects of the treatments seem to get worse with each treatment, but I know I will make it through the last ones.

Tuesday I had to go back and get WBC ( Nuelasta Injection ). That really takes it's toll on me. I am thankful that I am at least able to move. 

My RBC are low nurse said I better eat plenty of iron foods by next week Thursday 14th Lab work only 

Otherwise  I'm going to require blood transfusion ..I'm trying to eat. I bought some strawberry flavor Boost supplement.

Nov. 13 Wednesday I go for a follow-up with Surgeon. 

Nov. 25 Pet Scan

Dec 2. Discuss my pet scan.

Thanks for all your support and prayers,

Rachel