My doctor and I discussed treatment options and she suggested treating this small area with radiation while continuing to treat everything else hormonally. Our goal is to delay chemo for as long as possible and it sounds like radiation will help achieve that. One of the things they are learning about breast cancer is that resistance that develops in one area can spread to another area (instead of each area developing their own separate resistance mechanism). Because we truly are "trailblazing," my doctor wanted to discuss my case with the Oncology team before proceeding
As He has so often done during this journey, God placed the right people in the right place at the right time. The same day that my doctor was presenting my case, Dr. Larry Norton, an international breast expert from Memorial Sloan Kettering (and truly one of the best minds in the field) came to Penn State Hershey to present some of the latest unpublished data. My doctor seized the opportunity to get his thoughts on my situation. He completely agreed with my doctor's plan to keep me on my current treatment and radiate the area that may be becoming resistant. In fact, Dr. Norton has had excellent results with this approach with his own patients.
It seemed like a no-brainer to me, so I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Wagner, the radiation oncologist, to start the process. Some of you may remember my post from March 2010 describing my first experience with radiation, Sylvester Stallone, and my visualization techniques. As soon as I met Dr. Wagner, I immediately felt at ease and had the urge to make those tiny little laser noises again. I refrained from the noises for now - after all, what kind of first impression would that leave him with?
I returned to Hershey the next day for some special measurements and to have the infamous blue dot tattoos placed on my hip area. The tattoos are necessary to ensure the lasers are aligned correctly for every treatment. Not exactly what I had in mind for my next tattoo, but I guess it will have to do for now.
I will have a total of 10 treatments - once a day two weeks. This should be a piece of cake compared to the 30 treatments I had three years ago. (geez, has it really been that long?) Dr. Wagner wants to start right away and I say "bring it on!" I will have my first treatment bright and early Monday morning and my last one will be Friday, June 21.
Here's how the rest of my conversation went with Dr. Wagner that day.....
Me: "I am registered for a 5k mud run on June 22."
Doc: "Are you asking me or telling me."
Me: "ummmmm.... asking?"
Doc: "if you're asking, my answer is no"
Me: "Would it make any difference if I said the proceeds go towards breast cancer research?"
Doc: "While that's a noble cause, my answer is still no."
Dr. Wagner explained that I could still walk the course, but shouldn't try to complete the obstacles. The lesion in my hip socket has weakened the joint enough that I have an increased risk of a hip fracture. Also keep in mind that estrogen in women protects the bones. I have been undergoing therapy that eliminates estrogen for the past four years so bone density is already a concern.
...and that means no muddy cargo net climbs for this Dirty Girl!
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Dirty Girl is a 5k adventure run for women that was founded in 2010. The obstacle course consists of wall climbs, stomach crawls, cargo net climbs, tire tests, and concludes with a mud filled pit. Dirty Girl believes in finding a cure, educating women, and helping those who are currently dealing with Breast Cancer. After all, the Dirty Girl way is to jump in, get dirty, and fight!
Dirty Girl supports breast cancer charity organizations in each events market. By participating in a Dirty Girl Mud Run you’ve already have made a difference by financially and physically making a stand against Breast Cancer. Go to their website Go Dirty Girl for more information.
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