This is a diary of my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. I've been adding it in reverse order so the most recent information is at the top.
Thanks for the cards, e-mails and flowers. I do appreciate being in your thoughts and hearts and prayers.
Nancy
November 25, 2006
Hi all and Happy Belated Thanksgiving! I'm doing pretty good. My PCP was me on 25 mg of the non-extended release Effexor and I'm doing okay with that. Yesterday was the first day is switching to a daily half pill. I'll do that for two weeks then try for 1/4 pill every day. It seems ot be going fine. I have had a couple hot flashes on occassion but they have been minor and almost not noticable. At this point, I think I'd rather have the hot flashes than the drugs.
Monday is my follow-up MRI here at Kona Hospital. I'm not going to have the MRA (angiogram) then since the appeal to the insurance by both my PCP and neurologist was denied. I see the oncologist and neurologist in Honolulu on December 4. We'll see what they have to say then.
The floors in the house are supposed to be ripped up and replaced (again) this week. One of our neighbors is going to come by and spend the afternoon on Monday and Tuesday to babysit the installers while I go for the MRI and the next day for my Herceptin treatment. Susan is going to drive me to the MRI so I can take my drugs so I don't freak in the tube. Don't need to add to the loopy drivers on the road.
Only 6 Herceptin infusions to go. I'll finish in mid-March.
November 14, 2006
Let's see. I'm doing fine. I have been going to my support group regularly and getting Herceptin every three weeks.
My primary doctor and I are trying to wean me off of Effexor XR, but that is easier said than done. I switched to a half dose for two weeks and then to the half dose every other day. Well, Saturday was the first day completely off the stuff. Thursday was my last half dose. Saturday evening and into Sunday I started feeling what can only be describes as "weird". I had diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, vertigo, strange flushes of tingling and a headache. I was irritable and agitated and couldn't sleep. I called Jo, of course, and she suggested seeing if Dr. Cortez was on call. He was and called me back right away. All I have left are the full dose capsules (75 mg) so he had me take one and said to call him Monday.
So I took it about 5:00 pm and about 9 o'clock the dizziness was gone, but I still had some nausea. I felt much better the next morning, but a little out of it. The doctor called in a prescription for 25 mg tablets that are not extended release. I'm to take one per day for the week and I have my usual appointment next Monday. We'll discuss a weaning schedule then that is slower and we can also cut these in half so I won't go from 37.5 mg to none so quickly.
Other than that I've had some really good days lately but I still have to be more careful not to over do. I just want so much to feel normal that I get beyond my self and then I pay for it with fatigue.
I haven't been in the pool the last few days due to the dizziness and the fact that there are bees all over the place. I think they are looking for water since it hasn't rained lately. I have a call in to the pest control people to see what they suggest. I got stung Saturday on my knee. Good thing I'm not allergic. I swear by the towelettes in the first aid kit called Sting Relief. They really work.
I'm still going to physical therapy twice a week to work on my right arm and shoulder weakness and try to stretch out my tight pectoral muscle. And I am really noticing that my hair is getting thick.
We just passed the anniversary of my second surgery last week. I've had this darn port in for a year now. Only 6 more Herceptin and that will be taken out in March.
All site contents Copyright © 2002-2007 Jonathan & Nancy Sechrist