Yesterday I checked out 10 different breast cancer books from the library and reserved 3 more. The internet just doesn't seem 100% reliable. There are SO many cancer sites and my computer is so slow that books seem like a better option to find the information I need.
My favorite book so far is a big red one called the Breast Cancer Sourcebook by Sandra Judd. It's so far the only one with an extensive section on Her-2 receptors, what it means when they are over-expressed and how the drug Herceptin works. The Her-2 gene determines how quickly cells divide and grow. In my case, mine are dividing extremely fast. Combined with the fact that there were some high grade, invasive type cancer cells found, that's the reason for the adjuvent chemo treatment (to control the further division or spread of any undetected cancer cells). But what I also want to know is why physicians scribble on paper when they're talking to you and hand you something totally unreadable? Don't they realize people can be in shock when they are surprised with bad news? Then all they have to take home this illegible doodle pad that doesn't help at all.
Not feeling that great about my rapport with Dr. Gray. I was thinking about getting a 2nd opinion from a Huntsman Cancer Institute Oncologist and then switching over but I can't get in soon enough. Drat, they have a couple of really good ones too that my insurance would cover. I only have 2-3 more weeks before it will be too late to start chemo if I'm going to do it. I'm going to let my medical team know they dropped the ball about letting me know time was of the essence after my last surgery. Tomorrow I will call Dr. Gray's office and see if I can see his nurse advocate since he's out until next week. Maybe she and I will get along better and I'll feel better about keeping him.
Got an appointment for a dental cleaning tomorrow too. That has to get done before chemo to be sure I don't get an infection orally. Some chemo drugs give you mouth sores and I don't think they like you to floss while on it. Sometimes the sores can be like cold sores - great, just great. So not only will I be bald and ashen, I'll have cold sores too. It's becoming harder and harder to be positive about this!
On a good note, been checking out really short pixie type haircuts online and have found some cute ones. I may go bald or have hair thinning with chemo and that will make the transition easier when it does start going. I'll have to get rid of my artificial nails too.....man, I've had them for 10 years or so! The bills are piling up now so it will be good to save a few $$$ on beauty treatments. I hope my beautician, Staci, understands. She's got really cool looking short hair so I know she'll be able to help me transition to chemo hair and then back again when it's over.
All for now.
No Nails! Oh man, I love my nails. LOL. It's the only girly thing I do. :) And they are the only things that keep me from getting, and picking at, my hangnails. So I think they are even functional. :)
ReplyDeleteA pixie haircut would be cute!
Good idea about the books. The Internet is just so iffy when it comes to information.