January 2023 Update
Lots of new stuff going on, medically speaking! Here’s a synopsis:
At the beginning of the month, my City of Hope Torrance oncologist told me she is retiring at the end of the month! I happened to have a second opinion appointment with a well-known oncologist at City of Hope Duarte scheduled in the middle of the month. On the drive out there, I said, “I would never make Duarte my main campus.”
But… I liked the doctor at Duarte so much… he’s my new oncologist! He’s an older man who specializes in breast cancer (as opposed to all cancers) who is very caring and extremely intelligent. He gave us his personal cell number and I have talked to him several times since!!! Today he called me personally to give me some news AND asked how I am feeling!!!
The third week in January I had a lung sac draining (thoracentesis) scheduled. The day before the procedure I crawled into ER with extreme heart pain. It’s a long story, but probably the fluid on my lung was causing the pain.
The following day I had my right lung pleura drained after insisting they were not to drain the left, which is what the order said. The procedure went well., though it does cause prolonged discomfort. My new doctor had the fluid tested to see if it was HER positive. It is, which means I will be starting a new medicine.
Upcoming events:
Tuesday, January 24 - Heading to a cool resort with Mic, Neal and Kim for two nights. I’m pretty excited about this.
Friday, January 27 - Probably getting my first infusion of the new medicine. It’s called Enhertu. Doctors are very excited about it. It’s not chemotherapy, but is similar. Many people have bad side effects. Some do not. The new oncologist said I will only be on it a while. He’s hoping it will reverse some of my “cancer burden.” I’m hoping I won’t get too sick from it. Oh and some people lose their hair or have thinning. So there’s that. I’m going to will that not to happen! ;)
Monday, January 30 - My new oncologist feels it is important to repeat tests that I had done more than a year ago. On Monday, I will have full body PET CT and lab work done in Duarte. My good friend is going with me and we are staying the night out there.
Tuesday, January 31 - I’ll be having MRIs to the abdomen, brain and spine.
Thursday, February 2 - Heading back out to Duarte for a liver biopsy and a consultation with a lung surgeon to find out if I should get a permanent drain in my lung sac (pleura).
Friday, February 3 &4 - Hoping to make it to a special wedding.
So! Lots going on. Thanks for checking in. Please pray that the new medicine would work and that I would be able to tolerate it well.
Thank you.
Julie