Annette,
I won't be able to join the group in May because the family is planning a visit to my sister, Deb, in Minnesota over July 4th week. I need to save money for that. We are renting a large cabin. I'm looking forward to it and looking at it like a reward for all I've been through.
I had what I thought was my 2nd to last chemo today, but now they are changing plans on me. They are waiting for a test result on the Her2Neu to decide whether or not to put me on Herceptin. If I go on that, I guess it's every week, but I don't know for how many weeks. I will also be having a PET scan after all. During my first round, they tell me my tumor marker number went up. Today, my RBC count was down. That's the first time my blood work has been abnormal. They will be testing for anemia next week. I don't feel unusually tired, so I was surprised.
I have been concerned about something and I asked about it today. I wanted to know if there is a corelation between severity of side effects and effectiveness of the drugs. I was told that depending on the drug - yes. Since my side effects have really been minimal, I worry that the chemo isn't being effective. I know the tumor marker test isn't that reliable, but that's what they use to tell whether it's working. I think I will be relieved once I have the PET scan, no matter what it shows. I'd rather know than not know.
You do know that I was at my brother's wedding, don't you? So, we must have met, just don't remember each other. LOL Now we have a bond that we really didn't want to have, but never-the-less, we have it. I would love to see you, too. Next time I get back there, we will meet somewhere! I hope you all have a fantastic time. So sorry I won't be able to join you.
Love and hugs,