Well, I am going into uncharted territory here as it looks like I will be going through some new treatments that I have not had previously. Since Scott and I are used to the whole 'broken record' scenario this will be both refreshing and scary all at the same time!!
The tumor board met today and my oncologist went to meet with the tumor board along with the neurosurgeons that are usually there. She was the one that called me today to discuss what they talked about. She said that the consensus was pretty strong that the belief is that what we are seeing on the scans is indeed tumor growth. They feel that despite all treatments the tumor is continuing to grow.
There are some different treatment choices for me but some are limited and some are time sensitive. (such as they can't radiate too many times in a certain time period, etc. ) They would like to take action now and see if we can be somewhat 'proactive' about this recent tumor growth.
So, the new treatment plan is that I will be starting chemotherapy. Now I had chemo 3 years ago, in fact in just over 2 months it'll be 3 years since I finished chemotherapy! Crazy to think that...well this time my chemo will be the type that crosses the blood/brain barrier in the hopes that it will be effective in this troubled area.
This chemo regimen is a daily oral routine where I take one drug multiple times a day and then another drug that I take daily for 2 weeks on and then I have one week off. So I think that may be the harder treatment since they are giving me time off but I'm not totally sure. I still need to be educated!!
There is still a lot of research that Scott and I have to do to become educated on the side effects and realities of these chemo treatments, but we feel confident that this is the best treatment plan for me for this time. I'm blessed to have such great doctors and such supportive family and friends, so I know I will make it through these next few months! Wish me luck as I head into yet another chapter of my crazy life of living with cancer....at least I can be grateful that I am doing just that...LIVING!! =)
Thanks again for all the love....Hugs, Heidi
6 comments:
Hey Heidi! I really enjoyed reading through all your posts from Hawaii. Looks like your family had an awesome time! I can't believe how big your kids are, wow!
Good luck with the new treatments, hopefully it kicks it in the butt! You really are so positive and an inspiration. If you don't mind I am going to give your blog link to one of my best friends from high school. I think you are such an inspiration and she is fighting cancer right now too. Maybe you remember her? Here is her link
http://strongenough-christina.blogspot.com/
Alrighty then, lets do it. When do you start?
You are so amazing and so positive. Good luck with your new treatment.
How did you just make something like oral chemo sound like "new territory"...never sure how you are able to mix optomism in? Let me know what I can do to help out.
I am so glad that you had a wonderful trip with your family!! I'd love to be able to do something like that one day. :)
We'll keep you in our prayers as you start this new treatment. Praying for it's success, your health, and your family. Love ya tons.
This is good news, Heidi. Anytime there's another treatment option is a good thing. It was great to see you, if only briefly, when you were in CA. You're in my prayers daily.
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