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

10/31/2013 Trick - or -Treat

Today I went for Lab work only and the results were good. My lower back and body been aching  from side effect of Neulasta injection too boost WBC. 

Halloween ,I'm feeling great today Thurs. and my spirits are high which I know will help with my healing. I truly believe that I am doing so well because of all prayers that have been lifted up for me.

The Good News Nov. 4th Mon is my Last #4 Chemo treatment  medications infusion using Adriamycin

(Red Devil) red liquid cancer patients called it and Cyclophosphamide . Dr.Shalan will schedule a Pet Scan (body scan) after my treatment . I will update results and further treatments . 

God is able to do abundantly more than we ask or think..

Much love to all

Rachel

Chemo Cycle # 3

I appreciate all of you so much as each time it lifts my sprits when I send out a text asking for prayer. When we're getting close to Beechnut exit that's when I start worrying about the side effects and surely I had one on first day at 2:30 am my stomach ache and I could feel nausea,kept me wake .

Dr.Shalan changed my prescription for nausea stronger tri-pack (Emend). I was supposed to take it yesterday after treatment except Walgreens was out. They were able to fill my prescription today Tuesday I'm feeling nausea eating lite soups,gingerale,yogurt,liguids. Today Tuesday, I had to go back in Dr.Shalan to get Nuelasta injection to boost my WBC to prevent infections. Side effects is aching in the bones and muscles. Hopefully I will not get mouth sores this round. I made sure I was eating ice during my treatment .Wed 16th I have Dr. Richardo appt @4pm my left breast the lymph modes are shrinking to where it's painful and swollen or the clips when the biospy were done they could be infected or my harmones glands going wacky with chemo meds. Oct 23rd I go for labs only at 11am.

It took 3 chemo treatment realizing they draw blood wk and must be tested from my port.

I always turn my face ,I don't like seeing the needle going into my port , that's when she fills a small bottle of blood and runs test. If my WBC are very low they will not give me chemo for the month I will be sent home. Nurse gave me thumbs up you passed and I asked her what are you talking about?

Always learning . Good news : I will only have one left and I m thankful for that.  Chemo cycle #4  

Nov. 4th at 10am. Follow by Pet Scan ( body scan) review on tumors ,lymph modes determine how much they have shrink the oncologist and surgeon will review my case. Dr Shalan didn't want to speculate on the 12 weekly treatments. Please pray that I can stay strong through the weekend.

Much Love to all,

Rachel & Briana & Alyssa