Connie's Cancer Chronicles

After a false start -- I got a phone call yesterday at 7 AM to let me know that the machine was "down" and we'd have to start today and not yesterday -- my radiation therapy started today, rather anti-climatically. We arrived a bit early, Judy (I think Judy is an oncology/radiation nurse) met us and let me know that they were running a bit late. She asked that I get into a robe and then come out into the " healing garden " and wait. This is quite a cancer center-to see the " healing garden " click and go to the second picture. We waited a short while, and then Walkeria (I am sure that I just butchered the poor woman's name), the radiation technician/manager who did my "mold" on my first visit came to say hello and tell us about " arm knitting ." She saw Anne knitting a scarf which prompted the entire conversation. Who knew? Judy came out in the middle of all of this and told me it was my turn. I lay down on the table, we did...

Where to begin? Yesterday (Tuesday) I had my radiation "simulation" and got my "tattoos" -- little blue dots, really, and lucky me, I get to have five! This week started off, well, shitty. I had a Monday afternoon appointment to have all of this done but we got a call Monday morning from the Cancer Center from someone who told us that "the plan wasn't ready, could I come in on Tuesday at 1 PM instead?" That wasn't actually a suggestion, that was the only appointment available. And we had haircut appointments in the morning. It worked out fine for me, since I was just getting a haircut at 10:30 in Bedford Hills and could easily get to Mt Kisco by 1 PM, but Anne wasn't going to be able to join me. I was okay with that but Anne wasn't. I have no idea how someone handles this if they are working--what if you had arranged to take Monday afternoon off, and suddenly you need to work on Monday and take Tuesday afternoon off? Never have I b...

Or should I say "burn?" The current way cancer is treated in this country can be summed up by "cut, poison, burn" and I've done "cut," can skip "poison," and now all that's left is "burn." And since I need to have radiation in both breasts, it's almost like "double burn." The current radiation dose is something like 1.8 "something or others" if you opt for six weeks, 2.8 "something or others" if you opt for three weeks. Now double it. Ouch! The manager of radiology basically said that no matter what shape I'm in I'll be tired after the treatments. Really really tired. Getting to the gym three times a week isn't going to do it. Great. Dr Salzman will work with me to detox afterward and build up my anti-oxidants (even though she doesn't agree that I shouldn't take anti-oxidants during my treatment-she feels that it would be better if I did take them, but Dr Tinger disagre...

First let me say that we spent two wonderfully informative hours with Dr Julie Monroe, a medical oncologist who is a "cancer consultant," for lack of a better name. After our discussion I now understand: Why I need radiation (to prevent a recurrence in my breasts) Why I need radiation in my left breast (because the DCIS in the left breast looks like it is "thinking" of moving) That the risk of radiation damage to my heart and lungs is nearly nil That the aromatase inhibitors don't cause osteoporosis but could hasten the journey from osteopenia (which I have) to osteoporosis That drugs such as Prolia  are used prophylactically and can help prevent osteoporosis that might be hastened by the aromatase inhibitors We learned a lot more, like what the heck is aromatase anyway, and why does it have to be inhibited. And why those estrogen receptors are a problem. The upshot is that I am no longer anywhere near as concerned as I was before. Any effects o...

so off we went to Kripalu ! I absolutely love that place. Connie reading Apparently I am very tired-every time I sat in a chair I fell asleep. But I did finish C. J. Box's Trophy Hunt  and made significant progress with Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright. Here I am reading it in Kripalu's sun room--and I'm awake! Journal Page We spent some time drawing in our art journals. Here's my picture of what I saw out the window of the Kripalu Cafe. November 2nd was Anne's 70th birthday. Once we both got over the shock of the fact that we are both turning 70, we enjoyed celebrating her birthday at Kripalu. Tonight we'll have birthday cake with Becky and Bernice and continue the celebration. Of course all of this is colored by the fact that we are still waiting for my breast to heal so that I can have radiation. And the more I learn about radiation, and the "adjuvant" hormone therapy the less happy I am. One good thing about turning 70 is t...

After much weeping and gnashing of teeth, by both of us, we have found a time that works for us to go away. MARCH!!!! March!!!! So we've booked a week in Curacao in early March at The Avila Beach Hotel  Big shout out and thanks to Ed, who shared his expertise with us, and Debbie, who encouraged us to plan a trip. Second big shout out to Marilyn and Kara who basically said, "just do it." Ocean Front Blues at  The Avila Beach Hotel We found a good Jet Blue package, we bought trip insurance, and now we're doing research. We're good at doing research. And NOW I'm excited. How could I not be excited about a place that says, "We live and let live." Gay Curacao here we come. Here's a picture of the balcony off the room that we booked. I'm ready for a drink that looks like that!

and good in Oncotype DX tests, so let's hear it for 13 (out of 100), where 18 is the highest number you want. I'll explain, as best I can. The issue with cancer is the chance of it recurring. As Dr. Mittleman said to me yesterday, you had cancer -- the cancer is gone. Now we are treating me so that it doesn't recur. And what's the chance of it recurring? Well that's what the Oncotype DX test tells us. It's genomic test, looking at the makeup of the cancer. How likely is it to return? And, will it respond to chemotherapy (along with hormone therapy, like aromatase inhibitors) if it is likely to grow and spread? So a 13 means that 1) the likelihood of it recurring is very low, and 2) I don't need chemo. In fact, the difference in preventing the recurring between chemo and the aromatase inhibitor is so low as to make chemotherapy "not worth it." So as soon as I heal I can have radiation. And whoever thought I'd be "happy" abo...