break from chemo

[Unregistered]

My ct. scan and bone scan show improvement so my doc. is giving me 3 more months break from chemo. I havn't had chemo since 12/19/05. I will continue monthly zometa tx. and I will see my doc. in May unless something comes up sooner. I was kind of surprised. I thought I would be starting a new tx. next week. I will be seeing a GI specialist for my acid reflux. I'm not looking forward to having the endoscopy, but I am do for that along with colonoscopy. It's always something but I am just greatful to have a nice long break. God Bless You All and thanks for Your support. Lu Ann.

[TriciaK]

Sounds good, Lu Ann! Hope the chemo break goes on for a long time! We love success stories of people taking a break because of remission and good test results. Thank you for sharing, and be sure to keep in touch! Hugs, Tricia

[StephN]

WOW - LuAnn, great work! You have been blessed.
You mention getting monthly Zometa, but are you still on Herceptin? I gather so, but wanted to double check.

During this time of better Spring weather, the chemo break should allow you to get out and gather more stamina. And we will look for the same kind of results from the May tests.

[Lolly]

Good news LuAnn! I hope you get a good report on your endoscopy and "up periscope" :)
I myself am due for both these procedures, having never had either done, but am over 50 now and with acid reflux and all the chemo with attendant digestive system side effects feel it's time. Just waiting to be done with this latest round of chemo then will schedule.
I'm SO looking forward to it, LOL.
Keep us posted.

[lu ann]

Tricia, Thanks for the kind words. I definately will stay in touch. I'm in it for the long haul. I just wish I could meet some of you ladies and gentlemen before I get to heaven. I'm not eager to leave my family just yet, but with all the evil that is going on in this world, heaven is the place where I want to be when it is all said and done. I know that one of the greatest blessings that I have received is from being diagnosed with cancer. I really don't know if I would of been as close to the Lord if my road was without the bumps and bruises along the way.

Steph, I'm just on zometa, no herceptin. I trust my doc. knows what she is doing. I'm seeing one of the leading oncologists at University Hospital in Cleveland. I'm not worried or anxious about not having herceptin. I think it will give my heart a break.

Lolly, the only thing good I can say about these procedures is it's fast. The endoscopy was harder then the colonoscopy. They heavily sedate you and spray your throat to numb it. If possible have both in the same day. They did the endoscopy first then turned my bed around and did the colonoscopy. I hope they used fresh equipment! LOL! If you have a choice get the small prep. It is only about a pint of liquid and tastes like gingerale. I took half the prep at 4:00pm the day before and the rest the following morning. I could drink fluids up till the procedure. I got a clean bill of health and was told I could follow up in 5 years.

My new gynocologist highly recommended I have this procedure done as my mom had colon and breast cancer and I was a 10 year survivor of BC at that time. The ironic thing is I was in and out of the emergency room around the same time with kidney stones. I had multiple CT scans and even an MRI because they saw something on my sacrum. My kidneys were scoped with no sign of cancer. I have since found out that bone metastasis can cause hypercalcium which can cause kidney stones. I was having all these different tests to rule out various kinds of cancer while my breast cancer was running rampant in my skeleton. It's hard to say where I would be at if this was caught earlier.

Love and Blessings
Lu Ann