Meeting the Secondary Doctors
Wednesday July 25th, 2007
I met Dr. Sanz with my Dad at Lawrence General. He's an extremely nice man from Spain (I forget where) and is actually friends with Dr. Fisher. They did a bone marrow transplant together 10 years ago. I am not sure what that entails exactly, but apparently they are now buddies, and that's cool with me.
We make an appointment to get a Lupron shot (the drug associated with ovarian suppression, used in order to save my ovaries from the aggressive cancer drugs). We also make the appointment for my first chemotherapy session. August 8th. The same day I was going to leave for graduate school at the University of New Mexico.
I chose to have my first chemo session at Lawrence General because the Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology, P.C. is a small office where I will more than likely run into Dr. Sanz during my visit. Although the atmosphere is slightly dim, the odds that someone I have already met will actually administer the drugs to me are much higher in this smaller setting. That makes me feel comfortable enough to try it once. Plus, I think my mom needs a break from city driving. If I decide that I don't like it, I can make future appointments at Dana-Farber.
Today, Monday, July 30th, 2007
I got the Lupron shot in my right butt cheek. Awesome. I also met with a radiologist named Astrid Peterson at Holy Family in Methuen. It took forever and Todd said all the women working there looked like frog faces.
I won't know if I necessarily need radiation therapy (which would be M-F for a short period of time each day for up to 4 weeks) until I complete 2-4 cycles of chemotherapy. Each cycle is 2 treatments/month... that means we won't know how well my body is responding to therapy until 2-4 months from now (or after 4-8 treatments). That means we won't know if I really need radiation right away, however, it is recommended in the long run to prevent relapse. Unfortunately, radiation can also cause Thyroid, Lung, and Breast cancer in the future. Talk about weighing your options.
Each treatment of chemotherapy involves, on average, 2 hours of sitting in an arm chair in front of a TV with an IV in your arm. I can't wait.
9 comments:
Wow Patty nice Job on this blog!
WE ARE VERY IMPRESSED W/YOUR WEB SITE. YOU HAVE A GREAT ATTITUDE-YOU WILL BE FINE.WITH LOVE,AUNTIE ANN,TOM, AND ANTHONY.
Hey Patty! This site is great! You are awesome! How's your buttcheek? Love you! Is this comment thing suppose to be in spanish?
¡VIVA PATO!
With your great inner spirit you need to help others ! I think for that reason you were put on this earth.
Your site is fantastic! Keep us posted.
i think you should be the 'junior cancer correspondent' on the daily show.
thanks for the link, this will help my neuroses.
xoex-neighbor
Hey Patty, It was great to see you today. You looked really good. It helped for the kids to see that you were okay. I'm glad you liked the books. We are all very proud of you, stay strong and when there are times that you can't we'll be there.
Love, Auntie Kellie, Uncle Chipper, Leanne, Miranda and Ethan
Hey Patty! I love how your blog is coming together...it is nice to get all the updates. Add me to your buddy list...I am up for watching movies, folding laundry...whatever you need. Much love, hugs and prayers. Jolene
hi, patty. long time. marielle told me about your blog. at first i thought all of the titles were in spanish because i'm here in spain...that happens sometimes, like myspace and stuff will switch over...then i saw someone else´s comment, ¨is this comment thing supposed to be in spanish?¨ anyway, marielle was right when she referred to your blog as ¨amazing¨. and i know that the next thing i'm about to say sounds like one of those things that people always tell sick people just to be nice, but in this case i really mean it: you looked radient in the pictures on your site. in my time away i had forgotten just how beautiful and intelligent and funny you are. thank you for sharing your story with us. in my immediate world, i can tell you that it has mad a significant impact. it has inspired myself and another coworker to quit smoking, and i'm sure the inspiration will not end there. i enjoy every minute of your expereinces...thank you. be well and be blessed. love, sean
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