Tales from the Flight of the Phoenix

Finally - I think I have the last piece of my puzzle.

Today I met with my new oncologist, Dr. S., who spent several hours talking to me about my history, what chemo I'll be taking, my chemo schedule, and what we will do later down the road.  He made me feel so comfortable and reminded me so much of my pediatric oncologist that I felt like I never really left the hospital the first time.

So he explained to me that I'll need 4 different kind of drugs, 2 of them antibody medications that target the HER-2 factor of the cancer, as well as 2 different types of chemo.  I'll receive all 4 of these drugs in one session for 6 different sessions.  I'll have my treatments on one day, but will have to return to the office the very next day for an immuno-booster shot.  So I'll be doing a lot of driving back and forth, since all of my treatments and shots will have to be done in the Dallas office.

He told me I'll have all the typical symptoms of chemo, like nausea, vomiting, skin problems and problems with my appetite and taste (Not the taste!  ha ha).  Of course, I'll most likely lose my hair again, so any tips for scalp care would be helpful.

After these 6 sessions are done, then I'll have the double mastectomy.  After my mastectomy, I continue one of the antibody medicines for another 6 months.  Only after the last dose of this antibody medicine will be be 'through' and will hopefully put this behind me.

I will have my mediport put in on the 25th and will start the chemo the following Monday.  Next I'll need to get my Leave paperwork in order and ensure I can keep my paychecks coming in.  I'll have to determine how much time off I can use and how I can use them to my advantage.

I guess that means no more denying or second-guessing - this sh*t just got real.