Howdy bloggers...

Last week was my first dose of 'herceptin only' and it was quite a hangover when it kicked in over the weekend.  They gave me a "loaded dose" meaning it was a larger dose than normal and it really packed a punch.  Saturday I was fatigued all day, but Sunday was the day all the side effects came out to play.  Started with vomiting Sunday morning  which lasted until early afternoon.  On top of that I had the chills and then I'd get hot and break out into a sweat.  Hot and cold all day.  My skin was crawling and i felt like I had a weight on my chest and was having trouble breathing.  My body really wanted to sleep through it but when I would lay down I felt like I couldnt breath and then anxiety would kick in.  All in all it was a miserable weekend.  I had some residuals Monday afternoon with more vomiting.  So they are either going to decrease the herceptin dose and/ or increase the benadryl dose.  My next treatment is December 3rd  and I see doctor Cavalcant that day.  Meanwhile I got the results from my PETscan last week and it looks like there is some cancerous activity in some lymph nodes surounding my heart and also in my spine.  Doctor Cavalcant said its mininal and strarted me on tamoxifen which is an estrogen blocker.  It acts by binding to the estrogen receptor on the breast cancer cell, thereby blocking stimulation of the cell.  It is the least toxic of cancer therapies.  Unfortuately it comes with possible side effects as well, including blood clots, endometrial cancer, increased risk of cataracts and most promintently hot flashes.  Doctor Cavalcant believes the herceptin and tamoxifen combined should take care of the activity found on the latest PETscan. 

This is my 3rd week back to work and it has been GREAT!!  I really am lucky to work at the Town of Gilbert.  Everyone is so supportive and positive.  Next week i will start working 40 hours a week again.  I'm sure its going to kick my butt for awhile,  since fatigue is one of the biggest side effects from treatments, but I'm looking forward to working with my partner Clint and getting back to "normal".

Tanner is growing like a weed and is turning into a good little pup.  He will get to meet Amy and Rolo, my brothers retrievers next month when Dan and Leah come out for Christmas.  We are all looking forward to that visit.  So stay tuned for lots of doggie pictures next month!




Hope everyone is well.  Enjoy life, its getting shorter everyday!

Shelly