Steroid Smackdown Round 3!
Hello Friends!
Just a little Smackdown update.
(Andi - I didn't make up the term, but you're right...it's exactly what I want to do to this whole mess!)
Had round three of Avastin yesterday, accompanied by a very relaxing and empowering Reiki session. A remarkable combo to my way of thinking. All that energy and good meds focused on the goo simultaneously...Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm - how could I go wrong?!
Beginning today, my decadron taper is down to 3mg/day!!
Woo Hoo!
I hate to tempt the fates...or jynx anything by saying it out loud (Hey! I'm Irish! At least here in America...superstition is always lingering just below the surface for us!) but...
I think, waaay in the distance...
I can almost see the light at the end of this steroid cluttered tunnel! Though it is always possible that the light is just a reflection off the remaining brain goo...
but you know hope springs eternal in my heart!
So far the taper hasn't sparked any of the usual symptoms...very good sign! But it hasn't lessened the ability to pack on pounds simply by breathing either. I'm taking comfort in the fact that my docs don't think this is unexpected. My body is really whacked out from all these months on high doses of steroids.
Ah well...one thing at a time. And to quote TriciaK, wise woman that she was..."This too shall pass"!
Echo on Thursday...hoping for good things. I've been out of breath lately, but again...I'm carrying a lot of extra weight...so I'm not surprised. And then, a little Vitamin H in the afternoon to sort of top off my tank in this war to keep BC at bay.
Thanks so much for all the prayers, good wishes and support. I'm definitely allowing myself to be cautiously optimistic that Avastin is going to be a success in helping my poor brain reabsorb the goo. But...again with the whole tempting the fates thing! 
Sending you all love and light!
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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