Clinical Trial/Chemo update

Alright, I know a lot of you are getting fed up with this whole "hurry up and wait" business.... but believe me, nobody is getting as irritated as I am. Here's the skinny: I am NOT starting chemo today.

I repeat: I AM NOT STARTING CHEMO TODAY.

Why, you ask? Well, turns out that I'll be giving this clinical trial a shot (I'll get to more info on that in a minute), and I need to get a port put into my chest for the chemo to be fed into. (That's another trip to Shands, to see my surgeon.) Otherwise, my veins will be a mess from so many injections. So, messing around with TriCare once again, and it looks like I may be able to have it put in around the beginning of next week. We shall see. Then, they have to wait 7 days after the port is in before they can start chemo. So, I'll keep you updated.

As for the clinical trial, the drugs that will be given include (here are websites with more info):

Docetaxel (Taxotere) http://health.yahoo.com/drug/d04009a1;_ylt=AptZldqsi2e_6CnW9r7STcIkD7sF

Carboplatin (Paraplatin):
http://health.yahoo.com/drug/d00185a1;_ylt=AtJYuLwa33CR8Y3QW38yFW8kD7sF

Bevacizumab (Avastin):
http://health.yahoo.com/drug/d05214a1#d05214a1-important

Trastuzumab (Herceptin):
http://health.yahoo.com/drug/d04357a1;_ylt=Ag143k2SsVWDeiMVl3Cbb7MkD7sF

Now, if you take the time to look at the websites I've listed and see what goes on with these drugs, you may be asking why I'd opt for this clinical trial. Here's the deal...

I am an anomoly.
I am 31 years old (young).
I have a (paternal) family history of breast cancer.
On a scale of 1-3 for agressiveness, mine is a 3.

Getting into this trial ensures that I will be able to get the most advanced care possible. Since my cancer is so agressive, I need to be equally agressive. Plus, if you look up the three types of chemo that they were origionally going to give me, the health risks are similar.

Keep in mind that all the possible health risks listed are just that: risks. That does not mean that these things will happen to me. Try reading the warnings on a Tylenol bottle sometime. Yet, you still take them. Same with this. They have to tell you about the risks involved, no matter how big or small the risk is.

So, once again, my chemo has been delayed. They tell me how agressive the cancer is, but they sure are taking their time fighting it! On top of all that, my Mom is trying to figure out dates on when she should come to visit, but I don't have any answers for her. I know that has to be frustrating!

Anyways, I guess that means I'll just have to keep you all updated as I learn things. ~Brenda

Clinical Trials....

Ok here's the latest and greatest information that I have for now. The Chemo treatments that they are talking about and their side affects are:

Adriamycin Side Effects: decrease of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, hair loss, mouth sores, nail changes, discolored urine, severe sunburn with sun exposure.
Cytoxan Side Effects: decrease of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, mouth sores, decreased appetite, taste changes, hair loss or thinning, changes in menstrual cycle, bladder irritation, nasal congestion.

I am supposed to get bloodwork done today, and Tim and I were supposed to have a "class" with one of the nurses to teach us how to care for me properly during chemo. But, I got a phone call from my oncologist's research assistant yesterday, and she said that I'm an excellent candidate for a clinical trial. Really, that's all I know so far. We're supposed to talk to her today, and she's going to give us all the info to see if it's right for me. I'll keep you all updated on that.

Here's a good website on describing what a clinical trial is and does. Good source of information. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/info/resources;jsessionid=FBE56EAD676A03AB85E2C45

Also, if they do continue ahead with the chemo, I will find out if I'll be taking Tamoxifen every 3 weeks over the course of the next year. That's the part that my oncologist had not decided about yet. So, I'll give everyone an update on that, too.

Finally, one last bit of news... My Mom is coming to stay with me. I'm looking forward to seeing her, and she's going to stay and help out with the kids and so on while I'm sick. That way, Tim can continue with his work and not miss too much, and also continue with the house construction. Hopefully this will work out well for us all. We just need to get her paperwork done so that she can take family/medical leave from her job. No biggie.

Well, I guess that's about it for now. I hope everyone had a Happy New Year! Love, ~Brenda