Lung Mets - visit with oncologist
 

First and foremost I want to thank each and everyone of you for your prayers and support during this difficult week for me.

Now, my appointment with the onc:

We had a very long discussion about treatment options and whether it really is mets to the lungs. Well, it is definitely lung mets - not on previous scan but on this latest one. Several nodes in not only one lung but in both. Not good!!!

WE have decided on Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin (TCH) which I'm sure many of you had. I will get the Herceptin weekly and the Taxol/Carbo will be 3 weeks on 1 week off. I did receive a loading does of Herceptin today. We did discuss other treatment options but decided we will start (and hopefully finish) with the TCH combo as it is used as a first line regime for metastic breast cancer. I'm satisfied with the decision and will save the "big guns" for if and when I need them. We also discussed Taxanes vs Navelbine -- Taxane offer a greater response than Navelbine.

I have an appointment Monday morning with my surgeon and have my port placement scheduled for Thursday morning. My echocardiogram is scheduled for Tuesday and I have a bran scan scheduled for the following Monday.

I will start my chemo "cocktail" next Friday and then switch to Thursday since my daughter will be driving me and it's more convenient to do on Thursday. I will see the oncologist in 2 weeks.

I am ready for this fight and I plan on winning!

Again, thank you everyone for your wonderful support, prayers and information. I don't know what I would do without this wonderful group of women.

On the lighter side, I had just bought some hair dye as my hair has come in with a lot of gray. Now since I'll be losing my hair I guess I can save the dye for when my hair comes back. Good thing I held onto all my hats!

Kate, I'm definitely sure you'll win this one! You sound like you've got things well in hand, and I think in one respect it's easier going into this the second time because you know what to expect with the chemo cocktails, and know how to handle the side effects.
My onc is of the same opinion, we save the big guns for if/when necessary. That has really expanded my options as there are many chemo's we haven't used yet and I'm going into year seven of fighting mets and plan to have many more years ahead of me, as do you :)

Keeping you and all in my prayers,
<3 Lolly

Kate,
Been thinking of you all day....
I know you will fight this and of course win!
I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

Hugs,
Jean

Kate, It sound like you guys have a good plan of attack. I've done the TCH and I see you've done the A/C before. You will find the TCH much easier the A/C as you probably know from being on this board. I know of one women at my cancer center that did TCH for her lung mets with FANTASTIC results. She is still NED...11 months & going strong. This is what I expect for you and nothing less. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hang on to that hair dye...it won't be long before you need it again. Hang in there...we're here for you...but I don't have to tell you that. :)

Chelee

Kate,

It sounds like you have a great plan, and I have no doubt that it will be very successful. You have such a hand up on this- you are very knowledgable and therefore prepared and know what to ask for, and have a fantastic attitude to boot. I will be keeping you in my prayers and wishing you the best.

Love, Kelly

You have a great spirit. TCH knocked out my liver mets. Best wishes and I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

Dear Kate

You'll do great. TCH is a good combination. I will be thinking about you on Friday.

Love,

Hi Kate,

I thought of you many times today and am happy you were able to post today to let us all know how your day went. It sounds as if it went very well and it sounds as if you have a wonderful plan of attack.

You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugs,

Mary Jo

Kate,

Thanks for posting - I thought of you many times today.
Sounds like you and your onc. have a good plan of attack, and I do mean attack.
Wishing you all the best for a complete recovery,
Caya

TCH knocked out my small lung mets 2 years ago! You will kick butt on this protocol...

I'm praying for you, I know it's hard having to get back on chemo once you've gone through it. I have a friend who was diagnosed stage II, HER2+++ right before me, she says she would never go through chemo again. I know that she would if she had to, we do what is necessary to live. The will to live is so strong that we won't go down without a good fight. You are one heck of a fighter and will kick this beasts butt. I hope this combo will not be too hard on you...sherryg

I hope this cocktail works wonders for you and kicks butt on those mets.

Kate - great to hear from you. I can hear your fighting spirit coming through in your post. It sounds like you have a great onc and a great plan - ready to smash those b&^$$(y cancer cells to billio!

It's a bugga to have to lose your hair again, but it's summer where you are so hopefully it will be a cooling thing to do.

Warmest wishes - Belindaxx

Hat time now....hair dye later...
 

Kate, I look at that fabulous face of yours on your message and just have this feeling that you will not only fight and win, but make an adventure of the thing! Those mean mets better stand and take notice that they are going down! I hate that you've the fight to make, but believe with you that the battle is won! Glad your daughter will be taking you and being at your side! She's awfully lucky to have such an incredible mom! And thanks for letting us know the plan and that you're ready to fight ! The very best wishes and prayers of success to you. mary anne

Kate -- You Rock!
 

Thanks so much Kate for letting us know how yesterday went. We were all waiting to hear, hoping, praying. And, we will still hold you in our thoughts. We love that face! (With or without hair.) I remember going bald for the second time, facing the chemo tx for the second time. It took me a while to get where you already seem to be! Good for you! You have the most amazing Spirit. You glow, girl!

TCH is a dynamite combo. Sorry you have to go through it, but you will triumph! I can sense that. You have attitude, all the right stuff going for you, surrounded by much love and the most beautiful smile! Keep smiling, Kate. I will hold you in my heart. Sending loving, healing energy directly to you from Boca... ANDI :) AND HUGE HUGS AND SQUEEZES TOO. LOVE YOU...

Kate,

I wanted to scream when you first posted about the possibility of lung mets...this life we all lead is such a roller coaster. Your treatment plan sounds good to me and lots of ladies here. You have incredible strength and knowledge about what path to take that is best for you.

I am in Athens and if you ever need anything, please let me know. I would be happy to bring your family dinner, send your family dinner (Olive Garden does GREAT carryout), take you to treatments or whatever you need. You have been so inspirational to so many women on this board and such a good person to get advice from. There are people from all over the world that you have helped and who admire you. If one of us can help you in a physical sense, please let me. I'm not that far!

Bless you and my family will be praying for you.

Ruth

Kate, TCH blasted my liver mets in 04 and herceptin continued to keep them gone for 2 more years. You'll do well on this cocktail, although I know you'd just as soon have a margarita instead!

Just curious, if TCH isn't "big guns", what is?

Kate,

Your spirit shines thru as your approach your plan of attach. I have thought of you and kept you in my prayers. Keep strong and keep moving forward positively.
________
Marijuana bubbler

Kate,

As the other ladies have already said, your spirit shines. I do believe that you will kick this cancer to the curb! Please know I am thinking of you.

HUgs and Prayers,
Lexi

Hi,
I am just wondering how the mets to the lungs was confirmed? I have had CT's that showed multiple nodules to both peripheral lung lobes and I have had multiple Dr's say that the nodules could be scar tissue. I just was curoious as to the final evaluation. Did you have a biopsy? I am forever hopeful that your treatment goes as planned. You seem to be a very enspiring person on this site and I have read many of your posts and responces. I wish you well in this and will look for updates on your progress.
Alice

Kate,

I already PM you. I just want to add that I will be praying for you on Thursday too.
A big hug,

KarlaV.

I was on TCH 3 years ago and had a very positive result. My CA15 tumor markers, which were 345 at diagnosis were normal after 4 months of tx.. I also had the same weekly schedule which was easier on my body. I didn't lose all my hair and it started to grow back the 5th month of treatment. I also didn't have as much aches and pains. I'll continue to pray that you will have healing. Love and Blessings, Lu Ann.

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement.

Alice, it was determined to be lung mets via the amount of uptake in the nodes. No biopsy is scheduled at this time - thank God, as I understand that's not too comfortable a thing.

The "big guns" as my oncologist put it refers to the Tykerb, Xeloda combo. Hopefully I won't need them.

I'm just hoping that Taxol will be esier on me than the Taxatore!

But, whatever the side effects I'm ready for the fight!

Kate- Taxol was MUCH easier for me than Taxotere. (though I had Taxotere with Big Red and Cytoxan, so it's hard to determine which was the most evil of all...)

My only noticeable side effects on Taxol were fatigue and the periperal neuropathy of numb fingertips and numb toes and balls of my feet. That has already pretty much cleared up for me after only 4 months off of Taxol. And glutamine is very helpful for mitigating the numbness, and no interference with the chemo. (one scoop glut. powder in a shot of juice 3xday). B6/BComplex are also very helpful, but I believe you can't take it 24 hours prior to Carbo or 5 days post Carbo due to interference.

The Carbo gave me the mildest form of queasiness for about 2 days after a treatment, but totally tolerable. Oh and the ever popular baldie renaldie look. (and with Carbo in the mix, my hair didn't grow at all like the sprigs that came in on Taxol alone)

The Herceptin caused the hallmark drippy nose and drippy eyes. (Patanol eyedrops seemed to help)

Hi Kate!
I found that Taxol was much easier on me than Taxotere!!!! Much!
I did Taxol with Carboplatin and herceptin and it wasn't too bad. I did do all the prep stuff to make it easier and I did have stomach problems, but got a "magic little blue pill" (sorry, I don't know what it was) that took care of it in minutes!!! That's one thing I didn't play games with. It taught me to "take care of business" quickly! Well, anyway, I do think that you will find the Taxol doable.
It was when I started the taxol combo that I decided that "attitude is everything"! I walked faithfully each day and treated myself well. I bought eyelashes that never came out of the box, but made me feel better just knowing they were there, just incase I got invited to the "Cinderella's Ball"!!!
Kate, I'm pulling for you to do super well on the treatment and to get the results you need. You deserve the best life possible!
I think my appreciation for all the huge "little things" in life has been my reward for fighting BC.
Have a marvelous day and know that you are loved and prayed for daily.
mary anne

Brenda, I too had "big red" and cytoxan with the Taxatore so maybe that's why I had such problems. All I know is that it did it's job.

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement -- I'm going to kick these mets to the curb! I don't mind if I lose my hair as I think I secretly have a hat fetish.

I have my first treatment of my chemo "cocktail" Friday morning. I'll keep you posted.

I can't express how much your support and words of encouragement mean to me. You are a greoup of very special women and I'm lucky to have you in my life.

And we are lucky to have you! Dig in and grit your teeth... you will do fine!

Best wishes Kate. I'll be looking for updates on your progress. Bev

Sending prayers your way
 

Hi Kate.

I wanted you to know that I have been praying for you and your family and I will continue to keep you in my daily prayers.

I think that you are displaying great courage as you face this newest development and I am believing that your new chemo treatment will get you back to NED.

Blessings.

Kicking Butt and Kicking Mules
 

Kate,

I have this image of all of us standing in a line and kicking like mules. Really makes me smile.

I am glad that "our team." agrees with your doctor's recommendation for the TCH. I am also glad to hear that some say TCH is easier to tolerate than A/C.

I agree, a margarita would taste better than all the cocktails they give us.

You go girl, Hugs, Catherine

If we could invent Vanilla Latte flavored barium and convince the nurses to drip Margaritas along with our chemo, we might be on to something!

Kate, You have such a beautiful spirit, I know you will pull through this one. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. I am so glad I have found this site as you all are so knowlegable and have such a fighting spirit. It is what keeps me fighting. God Bless!
Debbie, North Carolina

Kate,
Now you have a plan of attack and I know that is just what you will do. Thanks for keeping us in the loop. I was thinking about all day. I hope this treatment is easy on you and that you remain as optimistic as you sound.
Postive thoughts coming your way,
Emelie