I get that question a LOT. “When will you be done with treatment?” The typical response inside my head is some quip that goes something like, “when I die,” or “I’m in it for life.” But I know the questioner is sincere and typically doesn’t understand all the ins and outs of my disease. So, I smile and explain why I will never be done with treatment. The protocol is every three weeks for terminal breast cancer.
I may have to change that mantra… 🤩🤩
I saw my oncologist today, and he gave me some potentially good news. He checked with the breast team just before my appointment and asked when this “poor patient” can stop treatment, if ever. After all, in December it will be six years since my diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer, and ten years since my original diagnosis of breast cancer. And I’ve been stable since January 2019.
I was encouraged to hear, HE was asking the question. I thought he assumed, like me, that it was for life.
However, at this time the response remains the same. “We don’t know.” The data doesn’t support stopping treatment as of yet. And we likely won’t have any new data for a very long time. After all, who wants to be part of that study? Stop treatment to see if you are cured, but risk a progression that could be even worse than the time before? Nah, I’ll keep plugging away until they have the data that says otherwise, or until it no longer works (if ever).
BUT, it was encouraging to know my oncologist thinks there could come a day when I will no longer need to come in for treatment. 👍👍❤️❤️❤️ THAT, my friends, is HOPE.
A few other things were discussed in our time together, like when I’m due for my scans and such. I also learned that he is now a full professor. That’s the highest rank at MD Anderson. He is such a humble man. I had to hear that from a nurse, as he would never tell me that himself.
After some laughs and chats with the tech, nurse, and physician assistant, I went back up to the third floor for treatment.
They obliged my request to get in earlier than my 2:45 appointment since I had finished my bloodwork and met with the doctor before 10:00. I haven’t been in a room with a bed for a very long time, so that was also a nice surprise.
Click for Herceptin Drip video.
As soon as my port was accessed, I logged in to my Active Living After Cancer group. This was the last week in a 12-week virtual class. We all “graduated” today, and I will forever remember these ladies. I also found a filter in Zoom I didn’t know existed.👩🎓🤪🤪
We plan to get together for some events and lunches to stay connected. Maybe even a monthly “reunion,” to encourage our activity. The leaders have been so encouraging. I have started a personal friendship with one of them, as she is finishing her doctoral degree and we seem to have a lot in common. Her energy is over the moon!
Also while in treatment I was blessed with a text from our daughter-in-law, containing the cutest video of my two youngest grandkids. She caught Mikayla saying she wants to see “NANANANANANA!” She was yelling it over and over. 😂😂😂 And the baby has his rattle socks I gave them, on his hands, rattling them like crazy. I cracked up watching it. ❤️❤️❤️
Treatment was done by 12:15 and I was ready for lunch. I love my nurses! Even with our chats she worked fast and efficiently. I was happy to eat and get home by 1:00. As I am typing this blog, we are on the road again, heading out for another Airstream Adventure!
À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!