CHEMO UPDATE

Hello All,

So I had my first chemo today at Noon and it was fine.

I'm back on Taxol without Avastin. At some point they may add Avastin back in (nice to know it is an option although the FDA pulled its approval for bc), but for now I can't have it because of my brain needing ample time to heal. I think the brain healing is pretty important so I'm good with no Avastin for now. Also, if I'm not on Avastin there won't me any nosebleeds so that's always nice.

Unfortunately, the good doctor is completely stumped when it comes to this cough. They are hoping that the Taxol will reduce the size of the tumors that they believe are causing blockage, which is causing the cough and once the tumors are shrunk a bit the cough will reduce and ultimately go away. I don't really buy into this whole thing, but I really have no choice so I will just take the Taxol and see what happens with this cough.

They have given me a new pain medication, which is in the form of a patch, which administers the medication 24/7 so we will see how that goes. They wanted to give me Oxycotin, but I refused it. I really don't need to become a head case right now (maybe down the road). The pain will either subside or I will just continue to deal with it.

If the Taxol doesn't kick the cough then I will have to see the Pulmonologist (seeing him this Thursday) again and see what other tests he can administer.

We asked the doctor about a million questions and as usual there are no definite answers. Please know that Wayne and I ask the questions.

6/20/2011
10:00am - chemo

6/27/2011
10:20am - Dr. G and Kelly / chemo

7/11/2011
11:30am - chemo

So folks that is my story. Back for a little more Taxol. Keep in mind that this whole chemo thing is a marathon not a race. I will go from treatment to breaks, back to treatments and back on breaks. The hope is ALWAYS that I will have longer breaks with minimal issues during breaks (like no back surgery, brain tumors, etc.), but chemo on then breaks is my life!!!

I hope everyone has a lovely evening. I must go now to my nephews baseball game.

Love Always,
Maria xo