Another Milestone

Well, the first 6 rounds of “Big Girl” chemo is finished…thank God! It really was not fun and I’m happy it’s over. Fatigue is my biggest complaint right now, plus substantial hair loss and migraine headaches. That’s the bad news. The good news is that we got the results of the scans and the results were very positive…what I mean is that the scans were clean and there is no evidence of any active cancer right now. They will never say “cancer free” but this is probably as close as I’ll ever get. Dr. Choong and his staff are also pleased and said he does not see these kinds of positive results at my stage very often. He said I am a patient that will make him famous.
I have now started “phase 3” of the treatment (surgery & chemo being phases 1 and 2). Phase 3 is maintenance chemo. Originally the plan was to continue on one of the drugs from my initial chemo that really wasn’t a chemo drug but rather, a targeted agent called Avastin which I understood to have no side effects. But when I arrived for my first maintenance chemo, Dr. Choong said the recent clinical studies showed much greater success with the continuation of another drug, Alimta, which is a chemo drug. While I wasn’t expecting any side effects, I am going to have some-but nothing in comparison to what I have been going through for the first 6 rounds. As long as it is working, it will be ok. The schedule is still every three weeks, but it does not take as long so I call it “Drive- Through” chemo. They will continue to scan me every three treatments (nine weeks) to keep me monitored. If I remain stable, I can receive this treatment for up to two years. I have already had 1 treatment and have another one this Wednesday, July 8th. There continue to be some bumps in the road, but overall things are going pretty well.
We continue to count our blessings and words cannot express the gratitude that I have for such beautiful family and friends. Thank you for your unending prayers, thoughts and inspirational cards…I feel your prayers every day. As you think of me and of my family, please keep in mind all the others who suffer from this and other illnesses. It is almost beyond comprehension the people I know and love who are also suffering.
I will keep you updated but if you do not hear anything for awhile, things are going pretty well. I also try to answer e-mails as I get time. If I do not answer right away, please understand I’ll get to you as soon as possible.
Much love to all,
Lynn