And the countdown to chemo begins!

My mom, dad, Chris, and I were back at Magee this Monday to meet with the oncologist and had great hopes of finding out more specifics of my treatment and what we are dealing with.

Answers we were seeking and answers we got! I was thrilled to hear that my CT/PET scan came back almost all clear. Only one area of concern - my L2 Vertebrae. It had show bright on scan and both the oncologist and the radiologist agreed that we needed to further investigate to make sure there was nothing to be concerned about. So after my oncologist appointment I had to have yet ANOTHER test - an MRI or my L2 vertebrae. Fortunately the wonderful office staff got me an appointment that day and we were able to get the test done on this trip. We still do not have an information or results back from this test, but I can only assume no news is good news, right?

I was given the Lupron shot at this office visit to essentially place me into a medical menopause while undergoing chemotherapy. Essentially it will shut down my reproductive system. It will also give the gal who is always hot, hot flashes and all the glorious things menopause brings. So with this drugs help, instead of me releasing an egg each month, those eggs could be saved and give us that much more of a shot to hopefully have a second child one day, God willing.

I start chemotherapy on March 15th and will continue every three weeks to receive it for six sessions. That morning I will arrive at Magee VERY early to have surgery to have a port placed, then begin the first of 6 chemo treatments. The chemo treatments will be every three weeks and will last about 4 hours. The cocktail of drugs they will be using will include Carboplatin, Taxotere, and Herceptin. The Herceptin drug will continue for a full year and as it was explained to me is one extra drug we can use in are arsenal to fight the cancer. My HER-2 number wasn't exactly positive, but wasn't an absolute negative. Which from my understanding is a good thing - because if I was HER-2 positive, from the little knowledge I have, it would mean the cancer is much more aggressive. The doctor also said due the size of the tumor, the cancer is at a stage II with no nodules.

Once the chemo starts I will have to continue to go for MUGA Scans every three months to keep an eye on my heart since the drug Herceptin has a 3% effect on the heart.

I was told I can be around friends and family during chemo, but need to be careful around those who are sick. The chemo will lower my blood counts which help me fight off diseases and I will be much more susceptible to getting sick. In fact, at Kennedy's well baby visit today, they would NOT give her the Chicken Pox vaccine because it is a live virus and can stay in her system for 6 weeks which would be me at a huge risk - even though I had chicken pox as a child. Also, if I spike a fever of 100 degrees or higher, I must be admitted to the hospital for IV antibiotics.

Lastly, because of the amount of Taxotere they are using they said I would definitely lose my hair within 2 weeks of starting chemo. I have lined up an appointment to get one final family photo of me with my current hair do for 3/14, then on Tuesday, 3/16, I plan on chopping my hair short. That way when it starts falling out, it won't be such a shocker.

So, that's all I got for now... Waiting on the MRI of my L2 vertebrae and waiting to start chemo. I've been trying to keep my mind busy and not think to far ahead.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE FOR THE THOUGHTS, PRAYERS, CARDS, MEALS, COOKIES, & SUCH. My family really appreciates it!