Happy Halloween!
News and notes from today's visit with Dr. Sharma: she was VERY pleased by the treatment effect of the chemotherapy on the original tumor; because of the success of chemotherapy and surgery, I can have my port removed now if I want; I will wait to have it removed when I have surgery to remove extra skin under my arms; I will NOT need radiation; I am ready to start the hormone-therapy drug Femara; I will also start taking Vitamin D and calcium because of the side-effects of Femara; protocol is to take it for five years if everything goes well; I do have some lymph fluid build-up in my chest and underarm that should reabsorb in a few months; I will meet with a nurse next week to understand issues related to lymphedema (lymphatic obstruction), I should continue to take it easy for three months to let my body heal from chemo and surgery - I still have a sore left hand and right foot from Taxol; AND slowly move to lifestyle changes of low-fat diet, increased exercise, and less stress! That just about sums up our visit today. I will see Dr Sharma again in January. Wow, that was a lot of information!!
You probably recognize Dr Sharma on the left, but this is the first picture I have taken with Kim. EVERYTHING in Dr Sharma's clinic goes through Kim - she is the nurse who can make anything happen. In fact, Kim even gave Nancy and me advice for our trip to Vegas in December. She said ' Don't buy into any time-shares and don't take any of the booklets and cards from people on the street!News and notes from today's visit with Dr. Sharma: she was VERY pleased by the treatment effect of the chemotherapy on the original tumor; because of the success of chemotherapy and surgery, I can have my port removed now if I want; I will wait to have it removed when I have surgery to remove extra skin under my arms; I will NOT need radiation; I am ready to start the hormone-therapy drug Femara; I will also start taking Vitamin D and calcium because of the side-effects of Femara; protocol is to take it for five years if everything goes well; I do have some lymph fluid build-up in my chest and underarm that should reabsorb in a few months; I will meet with a nurse next week to understand issues related to lymphedema (lymphatic obstruction), I should continue to take it easy for three months to let my body heal from chemo and surgery - I still have a sore left hand and right foot from Taxol; AND slowly move to lifestyle changes of low-fat diet, increased exercise, and less stress! That just about sums up our visit today. I will see Dr Sharma again in January. Wow, that was a lot of information!!
I didn't realize until today how much I appreciate Dr Sharma and her staff at KU Med. It is a little corny, but I had a strong warm and fuzzy feeling about our visit. It probably had to do with the fact that she directed the treatment plan that has me to the point where I can say 'things look good for me.' I gave Dr Sharma and Kim hugs as we left, I just wanted them to know how much I appreciated the care they gave to me. I first met them on May 29 (the day after Memorial Day) and, now, five months later I feel a certain gratitude to them that is difficult to describe. Part of me wants to say they saved my life, but I just can't write that right now. I know this journey with cancer could change at any moment from the good news that I have to something more challenging. Back to Dr Sharma and Kim - how do I thank them - adequately? Nancy and I both shared our appreciation with them before we left today, but it just doesn't seem to be enough. I know they would say - we're just doing our jobs. But there has to be more to it. I am sure they get their own 'warm fuzzies' in helping people who have cancer. Hopefully, we are all doing life work that gives us those same feelings. Anyway, back to the feeling from today - the warm and fuzzy feeling of 'care and love' for Dr Sharma and Kim. My special 'shout out' goes to them. Thanks ladies for getting me to this point!! I know I have said it a couple of times before on this blog, but I still highly recommend Dr Sharma if you find yourself in need of an oncologist.
Love to all,
Mary Kay