Look on the Brighter Side of Things?

On Monday evening, I went to my first Support Group for Breast Cancer Patients.  I decided to go to a Support Group "in-person" instead of the on-line support groups I joined - because I wanted to talk to more than just an Avatar.  The Social Worker who oversees the group, asked me as I walked in - "when was I  Diagnosed and when did I start treatment and what kind of treatments I am receiving" - so I kindly told her that I was newly Dx about 2-3 weeks ago, I have not started treatment and that I was waiting for a cure - a Miracle.  Yeah she was hollering!  She says to me "everyone who walks in here is waiting for a cure!"  I start to laugh and told her - No you don't understand, I asked Jesus to perform a Miracle on me in which they will not find any Breast Cancer and I will not have to do chemo, surgery or radiation!  The look on her face, Priceless...Anyway, the ladies in the group were very supportive and at the same time very "sad" looking.  I mentioned to them, that I along with my husband and parents decided we should not tell the kids.  I'm going to TRY to retain the "normalcy" of my household as much as possible.  I also stated that I was taking herbal remedies and what was there opinion of it.  One lady mentioned it can be used as a Preventive measure and can be Integrated with my treatments but not as a sole Alternative.    

On Tuesday, I went for Genetic Counseling to take a BRAC test.  They took a blood sample from me to see  if I am genetically prone due to my DNA, to carry Breast Cancer or Ovarian cells.  I get the results in about 3-4 weeks.  (However, I do not the think the results of this test will determine the kind of treatment I will receive.)

On Thursday, is when it ALL hit me.  I have Breast Cancer and I am going to have Chemo!   I met the Medical Oncologist who says "I have good news Raquel"!  And as reassuring as she sounded - I was invisibly shaken and depressed!  I realized she was the one running the whole show (my breast cancer medical team).  Apparently, the Medical Oncologist was very enthusiastic and excited about some new drug the FDA approved for my "type" of Breast Cancer - IDC (HER2+, Grade 3). She did not want to use the word "cure" but said this treatment has long-lasting effects - where I will live to be an old lady and die of something else.  WHAT?!   Anyway she introduced me to my Chemo nurse who will help me through the whole process and that I will keep in touch with for the duration of my treatments that will last a year!!

On Friday, I had a "teaching" class for my whole family and me (which lasted an hour) -  to talk about the different types of medication I will be taking for chemo and the duration of each treatment.  I'll come in every three weeks for 6 cycles.  For example, I'll come in on Monday morning & will be given 3 different types of chemo (which will last half a day about 5-6 hours).  Then Tuesday I'll come in for another 2 medications (also chemo drugs) to target those HER2+ cancer cells.  The following day on Wednesday is the booster shot they will give me to help keep the white blood cell count and the bone marrow.  All of this to then return in three weeks to start the regimen again.  The whole process to last for 18 weeks.  The bad news - I'll start to lose my hair after the first treatment.  BUT the good news is it will start to grow again after six weeks.  Another bad news, I'll probably go into menopause - isn't that good news?  

"Look on the Brighter Side of Things" is a statement my husband tells us in regards to my Breast Cancer being Treatable almost to the extent of being "curable" - the point being that it's NOT fatal... 

 

In any event, unless my PET scan next week shows NO signs of breast cancer or any other cancer (that "it" has NOT spread to another part of my body) - the reality is I WILL need Chemo & I WILL have surgery!!

As always, please join me in this Journey of PRAYER, LOVE & HOPE...