Week 7

Hi everyone!

Chemo Round #2 was this past Tuesday, March 31. Overall, the day was a bit quicker and easier than day one, so no major complaints! I’m tired but actually feeling better at this point than I was during the first round. Just trying to get lots of rest and listen to my body. Hoping to avoid another cold, but with Archie constantly sporting a runny nose, this seems unlikely. My immune system is at its lowest level now and should start improving next week. Looking forward to some visitors next week too - my brother Ben and sister-in-law Amy! Weather so far is looking promising for us to show them some of the best Philly outdoor spots! 

The rest of the chemo schedule is set for the below dates (barring any other complications!)

Round #3 - Monday April 20

Round #4 - Monday May 11

Round #5 - Monday June 1

Round #6 - Monday June 22

I’ll be getting another PET scan sometime in June. That scan will tell us how effective chemo has been at reducing the amount of cancer in my body. My understanding is that there are 4 possible scenarios, and the doctor says that any one of the first three would be good:

1.      Complete response to chemo - no evidence of disease anywhere - this would be amazing and the absolute BEST outcome, but I’m not exactly sure how likely it is, and I don’t think the doctor has a good way of estimating this either. She said (in an encouraging tone) that “there’s a chance” this could happen.

2.      Partial response to chemo - clear evidence that the amount of cancer has decreased - i.e. the main tumor in the breast has shrunk, along with the secondary tumor in the breast and potentially the other sites that “lit up” on the earlier scan. This seems to be the most likely scenario, because we’ve been told that my treatment regimen has been shown to be very effective at reducing cancer for the type of breast cancer that I have. Also - the tumor markers that are being monitored via blood tests in between cycles (for scientists- cancer antigen 27.29 and cancer antigen 15-3) have been DECREASING!!! YAY!!!!!!! This is excellent news, worthy of celebration today!

3.      Stable disease - meaning the cancer has not shrunk, but it also hasn’t grown or spread anywhere else. Again, doctor says this would still be a good outcome, but I’m obviously hoping for even better!

4.      Disease progression - the cancer has grown or spread - unlikely but still possible.

 We’ll give more updates and info whenever we have it!

Lisa