Which week?

Have been quite busy the last several weeks.  I have been trying to get closer to full-time hours at work, and have been going to the breast cancer spinning class I mentioned earlier.  Lots of photography stuff.  And constantly feeling the ever growing mop on top of my head!

Still some minor lingering side effects, such as unwelcome acid reflux, little cuts around my fingers and nails, some dizziness (still can't figure out the cause of it), and hot flashes.  Nonetheless, feeling progressively better than before.

With chemo and radiation done, my new way of viewing time is structured around in which week my herceptin appointment is:  Is it this week, last week, or next week?  After thinking about this carefully, I concluded those are the only three options.  Until the end of May, each week will either be a "herceptin this week," "herceptin last week," or a "herceptin next week" kinda week.

Right now it is a herceptin next week kinda week.

Otherwise, finishing packing to head up to NY to see lots of family over the next few days, and hopefully not to get snowed in up there.

"Miniscule"

I had my once-every-three-week herceptin appointment on thursday and asked Dr. McG about my likelihood of recurrence... I wanted to know what my percentage was.  Her response was:  "miniscule."  She told me the odds of the breast cancer recurring, or a new one developing - due to the herceptin and the tamoxifen - were miniscule.  That was certainly music to my ears.

Have been really tired the last few weeks, but also really busy.  More photo classes, breast cancer spinning classes, hiking, and, oh yeah work.

Speaking of work, my firm had its holiday party on Friday.  My hair was a big hit!

Although I am not sure what is going on with the diagonal bald line on the back of my head.

My hair looks just like my co-worker, Gary's.

(I note that this has transformed from a cancer blog, to, at times, a weather blog, and now to a hair blog.  What's next, I wonder.)

30 RADS: RADS done!...what next?

Wow, it feels like weeks since my last post.  Just six days.

Wednesday was my last radiation appointment.  My last treatment was filled with treats.  Chocolate ruggelach for my radiation techs who put up with me for nearly two months.  And the special surprise they had for me was the graduation march - played twice!  Ended on a very positive, upbeat note.  

So, what's next?

I continue every three weeks on the herceptin until 18 infusions, towards the end of May.

At the beginning of January, I start a five-year stint of tamoxifen.  Just starting to learn about that.

Follow-ups:  in addition to seeing my oncologist every three weeks in conjunction with my herceptin infusions, my radiation oncologist said she wants me to see her and my surgeon, alternating every three months, for the next two years.  My surgeon, Dr. Cocilovo, is leaving georgetown at the end of the year so if I want to stay with her, need to go to the Inova Breast Institute in Fairfax.  Which I expect I will do.  Mammogram in six months.

So, for now, need to learn all that I can about what I can do to help reduce my risk of recurrence.  Dr. Croog (radiation doc) says:  exercise, no drinking more than 1 serving of alcohol in a day, baby aspirin.  Dr. McGrail (oncologist) says Vitamin D and lose weight and maintain a healthy weight.

And in the meantime, getting back in the swing of full time work, hiking, more photography, running, and .... well, not sure.  Oh - and updating the blog periodically.