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