5 done, 11 to go!

 Linda has completed the first five radiation appointments (they are every weekday for 3 weeks and 1 day).  This first week had some weird scheduling since they have only one machine right now and so are using it for extended hours.  We had appointments between 10am and 7:40pm on various days. This upcoming week will be better since only one appointment at 6:30 then 5pm for all the next appointments.  They don't take long at this point since it is all set up for her and we are in and out in probably 15 minutes or so.  She does have to be very diligent about keeping the Aloe Vera on and also has some prescription cream to apply each night.

She meets with the radiation oncologist every Tuesday to check in on how things are going and to answer any questions.  So far he has been great to work with.  Of course, Linda being Linda she brought the radiation team cookies one day.  :)

Her skin is holding up well so far which is good!  However, she is feeling somewhat fatigued and a little foggy since her last appointment on Friday so it is wearing on her a bit.  She enjoyed the sun today and is feeling a bit recharged for week number two.  I think this time it is a bit more fatiguing than last time since we're being somewhat anti-social due to you, know, that pandemic thing, which is more taxing on someone extroverted.  

We also met with the oncologist on Thursday.  We discussed long term fit and also the likely course of estrogen blockers - she would take one of several aromatase inhibitors for five years (which provides benefit for 10+ years).  It is a daily pill.  The side effects seem to vary by person but the good news is that there are several comparable medications so if one has bad side effects she can try another.

Rob.

Radiation starts!

Linda is healing up nicely from her surgery. She is feeling like she is ready for the next phase of treatment which will be radiation therapy.  She has had this before so knows what it is like and of course knew someone that is still involved from last time.

She will start radiation on Monday (tomorrow!).  As mentioned, this will last 3 weeks and 1 day this time.  Twelve years ago when she had radiation it was longer: 6.5 weeks due to radiating more area (including her lymph nodes that were positive) and also due to the older equipment used at that time.

The actual radiation will typically take less than 15 minutes so hopefully she will be in and out in under a half hour.  As it progresses, she may get more fatigued and have some skin damage (she already has a prescription lotion as well as good ol' Aloe Vera).

She also meets with her oncologist next week so will have a better idea of the plan for post-radiation.  It is likely to include an estrogen blocker for 5 years but we will discuss this in the appointment.

Post Op, Radiation, Snow day, next steps…..

Post from Linda:

Post Op appointment.  We met with the surgical oncologist team.   Post-surgery healing is coming right along and we talked about Oncotype testing.  Since it was DCIS (caught so early and no invasive cancer found) this wasn't deemed appropriate.  We did find out the tumor was ER/PR positive.   I am still supposed to take it easy – so no vacuuming, mowing, raking leaves, or any repetitive upper body activity for the next two weeks.  Ava has been chipping in on the vacuuming and has been very helpful, and I really appreciate her.       

Next step is radiation.   On Friday we had an appointment (consultation) with a new (to us) doctor: the radiation oncologist.  I remember this drill all too well.  Looks like I may be getting some new tattoos.  We came prepared with our questions and concerns.   One of the things we learned is that typically you can only do radiation treatment one time per breast.  So this would mean IF I were to have another cancer it would be double mastectomy.  Let’s all hope and pray this is something we don’t have to think about.  We have a CAT scan scheduled for two weeks.  This is when they do the tattoos and all the measurements for the radiation treatments.  Radiation will be on the new digital zapper.  It looks like there will be a total of 16 treatments – 3 weeks and 1 day.  I will go for radiation every day.  This will start approximately February 25^th.

For the most part I am doing really well.  The one thing I have noticed is I am really tired.  I am sure it is the stress and anxiety from testing, procedures, COVID, etc., but most of all it is the waiting that for me is mentally exhausting.  But I try not to sit in that moment for to long and look for something to snap myself out of it.  I love those sunny day and having a snow day has really been good for my soul and spirits. 

Please know that we are beyond grateful for all the emails, texts, cards, flowers, chocolates, homemade breads- scones, baskets filled with love, and wonderful meals that have been delivered to our home. 

Like everyone – we are looking forward to getting COVID vaccine.  I'm not sure when people with conditions like mine will get it but hopefully we'll get a plan soon.  

Please feel free to share the blog with others that may want to follow along.  I am so grateful that Rob does this for all of us.   With gratitude and love, Blessings Linda, Rob, and Ava

Clear Margins and Good (relatively) Pathology!

 Linda is recovering from surgery quite well and is up and around (she did overdo it a bit at first!)

We got the pathology back from the surgery and it was good news in two regards:  

1) The surgeon was able to get clear margins (completely remove the tumor with margin around it).  

2) The pathology from the tumor itself matched the biopsy which indicated DCIS (non-invasive this time!) cancer.  It was a nice relief since there was a chance that the pathology from surgery could have been worse than the biopsy.  DCIS is very treatable - so we will meet with the radiation oncologist and the medical oncologist over the next week or two to see what is recommended next.

Once we get information on a treatment path I provide another update. 

Thanks!

Rob.

<from Linda's friend Steffi>

Surgery (finally!)

 All systems were finally a "go" for surgery today so that was a relief.  

Linda had another pre-op COVID test that was negative (now three so she is getting good at those).  

This morning I took her in for placement of an ultrasound guided "wire" that helped direct the surgeon to the very small clip that was at the tumor site.  After that joyous experience, she was wheeled over to the surgery which went well and as expected (we were happy not to have surprises).  They placed a patch behind her ear for nausea which seemed to help.  Last time she got sick after the surgery but this time everything went smooth and she even was home in the early afternoon.  She is doing good overall but still a little loopy!

Now we get to wait for the results from the pathology which will also ensure they got "clear margins" (enough good tissue around the cancerous tissue) and also to confirm the cancer types. We're hopeful it will be the same as the biopsy.

I'll share an update after we get the pathology.  Thanks for everyone's love and support,

Rob.

COVID, Surgery, Merry Christmas?

 Well rather than having Linda's surgery on Monday we got the joy of nasal swabs and COVID tests since we spent over an hour with possible COVID exposure at the doctor appointment on the 9th.  This time the swabs were shorter so not the full brain probe but they swabbed longer.  Maybe the deeper probe option is more enjoyable since it's quicker even though it's a bit more uncomfortable?  Really we're talking about is it better to get a not so desirable experience over quicker or not.  We both tested negative but quarantined per the guidance.

Anyway, two new developments: 

1) Linda has a new surgery date: January 7th. So at least now we have a date but I know she is very disappointed to have to wait until then.

2) We met with the oncologist (virtual - we're on quarantine!).  She said that the likely path is surgery, radiation (if recommended), likely an aromatase inhibitor (5 year pill that has some side effects).   It surely isn't enjoyable but as we discussed Linda's path from last time (very strong chemo, deliver baby 3 months early, more very strong chemo, surgery, two different types of more chemo, extensive radiation, bone strengthener) it seemed like a better and quicker path.

Thanks again for all the warm wishes and support!

Rob.

And... not so fast...

I recognized that in my last post I didn't even say anything about being in a pandemic in the midst of this.  We just are very careful since we've both had medical issues in the past. Fortunately, operating in this "pandemic environment" isn't so difficult for us since we don't need to interact "live" with others much.

Linda had her COVID test on Thursday and got to experience the joy of a brain tickle.  She agreed with me that it's like when you have wasabi/horseradish too fast and your eyes water.  Just a little uncomfortable but not painful.  She was negative so all systems were "go" for surgery tomorrow.

Well, the surgeon's office called.  Surgery is off due to COVID within the surgery center where we were on Wednesday for over an hour but everyone was masked up and we were heavy on the Avaguard D.

We're both bummed that we have to take this alternate route but there always are detours along any journey like this.  So, we're rolling with the detour and sounds like they'll be back to surgeries after the holiday.  Since the tumor appears slow-growing and small we can afford to wait a bit longer but were hopeful to get things moving.  Once we get a new surgery date planned I'll share that.

Thank you to everyone for all your support and notes of encouragement!  We appreciate it!

Rob.