No Surprise

After seeing my doctors last week, as expected (or at least as hoped for) there will be no major changes to my current treatment plan. No surgery, chemotherapy or radiation for now - just one medication being changed (the estrogen blocker) and one medication being added. The consensus is that the tumors are so small that they are not giving me any symptoms and therefore it would be best to try and contain their growth at this time with the aforementioned medications.

One medication (the estrogen blocker) is a pill taken once daily to replace the once-a-month shot that I had been getting. (Note: a short tutorial on estrogen blockers. I have a particular type of breast cancer that is called ER positive. That means my tumors grow when fed by estrogens, so medications that block circulating estrogens may help in stopping tumor growth or development. And despite the fact that I had my ovaries removed over 11 years ago - a long story - estrogen can still develop in one's body, for instance by eating fats. Surprise! - more cancer info you wish you never had. Me either.) The other medication is new, a bisphosphonate designed to reduce bone destruction and important for someone whose cancer has spread to the bone. This medicine will be infused once a month at the hospital, much like chemotherapy but without the benefit of that happily-altered-state-inducing Benadryl.

With both medications I've got a 3-page list of possible side effects so it'll be an adventure finding out which, if any, I develop. With luck there will be no surprises and I will continue my energetic, extraordinary, everyday existence at least until it's time for the next PET/CT scans to determine the effectiveness of this strategy (about 2 months from now).

I'm not quite sure how to convey how well I'm doing both physically and emotionally. While I have my moments (and always will, even if I live to 90), I truly feel that at this stage (ha ha cancer pun) it would be pointless to worry. I feel too good! And I am SO appreciative of all the good wishes I've received - as I told my pastor, keep the prayers coming because I've had good results so far. You are all my angels.

Blessings and Love to All.