Treatment No. 4

Holy smokes, time flys! Already on infusion No. 4. Today, I get my chemo cocktail of Carboplatin, Taxotere, anti-nausea meds, steroids and Benedryl. I also get a good dose of Herceptin. Total infusion time is 5 hours, watching the meds go drip, drip, drip from their bag to my port. Quite amusing, really.

Dr. Meyering is at a Breast Cancer Summit in Austin Texas, I have been reading about a lot of new research they are announcing at the Summit. It is the biggest Breast Cancer Conference of the year, so today, I met with Dr. Palmer which is another oncologist at the office.

Mom is with me today, she hasn't been since my first treatment, so it is great to have her back. I am going to work while the drugs are infused into my body, she'll hang out and watch TV in our "private suite". We packed a lunch of all healthy treats and will eat while relaxing in the recliners.

Three weeks ago, I was tested for the Breast Cancer Gene (BRCA 1 and BRCA 2). The test is a simple blood test and then it is sent off for results. I have been anxiously awaiting
the results, because if I do have the breast cancer gene (different than family history) then my course of treatments, as a choice, should be different. For example, I would possibly undergo a double mastectomy and then at some point in my life have my ovaries removed before cancer sets in. I am So happy to report that There is no mutation detected, meaning I do not have the breast cancer gene. If one does have the breast cancer gene then they are 80% likely to get breast cancer over a lifetime, 40% likely if you are BRCA 1 to get ovarian cancer and 20% likely if you are BRCA 2. Ovarian cancer risk rises steeply after age 40 for carriers. Men who carry BRCA 2 mutations have a 1.2 % lifetime risk of breast cancer, and those with BRCA 2 mutations a 6.8% risk.

Approximately 3% of breast cancer patients have the gene, so the odds are in my favor.  But then again, I have breast cancer at 32 and the odds of that are 1 in 251. So, playing the numbers game is tricky now. There are benefits and risks of the the genetic test, but for me, it was a must. I would rather have the choice of being proactive then reactive, for re-occurance in the other breast and with ovarian cancer.

If you don't have breast cancer, who should be tested?
1.  Family history or relatives with the BRCA 1 or 2 mutation.
2.  Close family member with breast cancer diagnosed before 40.
3.  Close family member with ovarian or fallopian tube cancer.
4.  If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
5.  Family history of male breast cancer.

Tomorrow I will work at the office, get my Neulasta shot in the afternoon (the white blood cell count shot) and try to stay as active as possible throughout the evening.  Last treatment, I was very tired by 2pm, went home from work and relaxed.  This time I am going to try and stay active so in total, it will be less time of doing nothing for 7 days.  Saturday morning I am determined to get up and take a nice walk, then afterwards I know I will be down for the count.  Starting Wednesday I should come back around where I am tired but alert.

Wish me luck!  XOXO