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new information, new plan

Mark and I met with my oncologist last week to go over the effectiveness of the Navelbine as well as the results of the study I am now part of.

The bummer is that the Navelbine is not working, so it’s on to something new.

The great thing is that the report from the study gave us a bunch of options. The top ten options it suggests are ones that my doctor says he would not have thought of–mainly because they are related to the hormones that feed the cancer (my doctor thought we were past those) or they are drugs that are not normally associated with what we had believed my cancer to be. For instance, some of them are used for HER2-neu positive cancers whereas we believe mine to be HER2-neu negative.

So, starting on Friday I began a new oral medication which has some hormone elements to it. It is often prescribed for AIDS patients and people struggling with anorexia–it is a major appetite stimulant. I find myself waking up and thinking about food.

My doctor is also working on getting an IV drug approved by my health insurance. This will be either Tykerb, a chemotherapy, or Herceptin (this is the drug often used by people with HER2-neu positive breast cancer). I am hoping that the Herceptin gets approved since it is administered every three weeks and has minimal side effects.

It always takes me a few days to digest a change in treatment. I need time to wrap my head around it and get into the game again. I’m getting there. My mom pointed out yesterday that it’s been almost a year since we’ve had a drug that has been really effective. No wonder these game changes get tiresome.

But Mom also pointed out how providential it is that I am part of this study and that the drugs that are recommended for me are ones that even my cutting-edge doctor would never have anticipated. This is truly extraordinary and we are so grateful to God for the opportunity to be part of it (and to the generous folks who funded it for me–you know who you are!).

Our visit with my doctor was a long one and, as usual, Mark and I hang on each word and phrase that he says–tossing them back and forth to one another as the days go by and we process what we heard. But there is one phrase that my doctor said that I return to repeatedly. As we were looking at the list and I saw a drug that I had seven years ago which I found terribly distasteful I said, “do we have to do Epirubicin?” His response, “Well, we’ll probably do all of these over the next 25 years.” You can imagine the satisfying way that simple phrase from my trusted physician turns over in my mind as I calculate and bargain and calculate again.

Hope is a lovely thing to get for Christmas.

14 replies on “new information, new plan”

Hope is a beautiful gift indeed. Hoping and praying for you in this ongoing transition. You are so very loved.

When you’re 65 and looking back on this time, it’ll all be worth it.

All our love,

Jamey, Beth and Vivi

Tash,

So glad to hear that there are all these options for treatment that are directed at your specific type of cancer. It must feel great to have purposeful directions.

Prayers.

Rachel

25 years….25 years….25 years….this is the best news EVER!!!!! I am sorry this journey is so painful at times…hugs and love as you enter this new phase of treatment….

Praying, H

Hopeful indeed. And wonderful to hear you so upbeat even when facing new treatments. God bless you Tash.

Dear Tash,

You amaze me! We will pray for patience and strength as you begin the new treatment.

A new year, full of hope!

Love, Tina

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