I thought I had my treatment plan all figured out and then enters Tamoxifen, the hormone therapy drug. Some breast cancer cells require estrogen to grow. Estrogen binds to and activates the estrogen receptor in these cells. Tamoxifen acts like a key broken off in a lock, preventing any other key from being inserted. Preventing estrogen from binding to its receptor and growth is blocked.
From the start, it has been a treatment option on the table, but I was pretty positive I was not going to take it because my tumor was on the low side of the estrogen receptor positive scale. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being high I am a +1. As you know, during surgery a second tumor was found around my original tumor site and was removed. That tumor was also estrogen receptor positive +1, so Dr. Meyering suggests that I take Tamoxifen for the next 5 years.
Let's go back one month: I got the breaking news from Dr. Meyering that I would be starting it 3 weeks after radiation. (P.S. Can you believe it has only been a month since radiation ended?). I left her office crying so hard because I feared the potential side effects of the hormone therapy drug. I was looking forward to being drug-free and only feeling like me. Having nothing else in my body altering how I functioned day-to-day.
Now, back to the present: this weekend I went to a UCLA Survivor Day and Dr. Gantz (a highly known oncologist) talked about Tamoxifen and spoke so very highly of it. So how the story goes.... I am sitting in a small group setting with all other young breast cancer survivors, hearing the stories of Tamoxifen saving women's lives and I start tearing. I went from hating the idea of taking the drug to complete gratitude that I have yet another option to fight for me and keep me healthy.
So, pop went the pill today. It's my official start day
Potential Side Effects: menopause like symptoms, cataracts and ovarian cancer. For those of you that are too young (like I was) to know about menopause like symptoms are it is hot flashes, weight gain, mood changes and depression.
From now until October, my treatment plan:
+ Herceptin infusions every three weeks. I am due again next Friday.
+ EKGs every few months to monitor my heart
+ Bone density scans as chemo and Tamoxifen have effects on bone density and I will have to be monitored closely.
+ I will have my first scan in September, a mammogram and ultra sound. Following this Fall, I will have scans every 6 months.
+ I will see my surgical oncologist again in September, for a feel-me-up. I had an appointment last Wednesday and he felt around, everything is good. I am healing up well. Still completely numb, but have full range of motion in my arm. I asked him how much tissue was removed and I was shocked! Think of the width and length of a credit card and the thickness of your index finger. That's how much tissue was removed. He took tissue from other parts of my breast, de-tached it and then re-attached at the tumor site. Shocking, right? Hence, why I am so very numb...nerve damage.
+ I will see my radiation oncologist again in November. All went well with my visit with Dr. Lewinsky last week. Dr. orders is to keep my neck and chest out of the sun for the next year.
Since we are on the subject of doctors, it seems only appropriate to mention how thankful I am for scientists and doctors that dedicate their life to finding cures for disease. I had many treatment options available and I am so, so grateful. I am equally grateful for those women who have walked in my shoes before me.
My dream for women that walk (and men) after me is that there will be a drug that kills the bad cancer cells but doesn't damage the good and to prevent cancer. Too much to ask for, I hope not!
XOXO -- K
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