Oncology, oncology

This is about last Friday’s meeting which I told you about but promised more details. I’ve noticed that oncologists love patients who have good prognosis. I always got hugs and smiles and Tess got that on Friday. We help elevate the level of cheer and hope in the place.

Dr. Spiro was full of smiles and calling her “Tess.” He was much more relaxed and easy than at the Black Thursday meeting. All of this I count as a good sign. Our results were making his day! Hooray for us!

Frankly I can’t remember all the details. Her chemo will be Docetaxel (Taxotere) combined with Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) which recent studies have shown work better and safer than the doxorubicins (Adriamycin) for her type of cancer. Since the symptoms vary from person to person and so much of it is in your mind (30% of the men in a British study who thought they were on a chemo protocol causing hair loss but were actually on the placebos, LOST their hair!!) So I figure don’t worry about the side effects. Dr. Spiro said she might NOT lose her hair and these drugs are not the ones causing heart problems (20 years later) or leukemia (also 20 years later). And Dr. Spiro thinks 4 times with 3 week intervals is the best protocol, which is also wonderful because her body can handle that better. And finally, he okayed 5 weeks from surgery so her healing from that will be far enough along to take on the chemo. That puts the first chemo on Friday, June 29th. So with the prayers and positive thoughts coming in, she will be strong and vital through this part.

Next good news was her trip to Florida. Since he okayed five weeks to chemo start, Tess asked about the trip and if it was dangerous to fly on a plane with risk of infections flying around. “Only if you sit next to a lawyer with TB,” he replied! “Go and have fun.”

And finally she fits the profile of a study being done at Cleveland Clinic for genetic testing for young women with an aggressive breast cancer. That good news means she will be monitored closely and if her cancer is genetically tied, the information gained will definitely help herself and future women in a similar situation.
Today is her Chemo Intro 101 meeting. Tom and I are watching Gavin while she learns what to fill her Chemo Tote with, how to eat before and afterwards, and, I suppose, general Barcolounger Etiquette