Enjoy your life................

That's what the Nurse Practioner (NP) told me to do. I started to say back to her "With the time I have left?" I'm not really sure, even two days later, how I am supposed to feel about that statement. All and all....most of what she told me was on the upside. She downgraded my tumor to a Stage 1...NOT a Stage 1B...and if you look it up, there really isn't a "1B"! And the recurrence rate is now at 11% rather than the 15% I was initially told. And the Her2NEU assay test came back negative. IF it was positive, I would also have to be on another drug, HERCEPTIN. After my initial biopsy, I was told the Her2NEU was positive. But the NP said that test is not reliable (then why do it ?) and that either the FISH test needs to be done (Which I was told it was going to be and then come to find out it was never ordered) or it can be determined by the OncotypeDX (which WAS done!).

The thing to learn from the above paragraph: The pieces of the puzzle won't be an exact fit, until ALL the pieces are tested and fine tuned :) Even though I was scared about learning the results of the OncoTypeDX results (it's what actually determines chemo vs no chemo), it evidently tells the oncologist a lot more than that....which is why I'm at 11% instead of the 15%. I also find that, for me, going to the oncology office is rather intimidating. I think that's because even though I'm at 11%, there is still a possibility of the cancer recurring. It's a reminder that I'm NOT immortal (go figure) and that maybe I'm not going to live to be 90 or more (like my parents). Right now...I'm taking things day by day.

So, along with all that wonderful chit chat with the NP ...... I had blood work... again...that I didn't know that they would do. I ended up feeling like a pin cushion between the lab work and then the IV infusion that I will now get every six months. It's called ZOMETA. At least it doesn't burn...just feels a little cold at first, and it just takes 30 minutes. That's the upside :) As I am learning... EVERYTHING HAS SIDE EFFECTS!!!!!!! and ZOMETA is no different :(

MY SYMPTOMS: (not necessarily what everyone else could have)...........

I was fine until 10:00 PM... THEN, severe indigestion, stomach upset, nausea..and some very uncomfortable pains radiating from my spine all the way around... like I had turned into an accordian. That went on for a few hours...I just kept drinking water trying to dilute the ZOMETA :) Then yesterday, the fatigue set it. I assumed at first it was because I was up the night before....but I ended up going to bed at SEVEN O'CLOCK PM!!!!! I would have slept thru the night, too......except.....for the NEXT side effect......MAJOR MUSCLE CRAMP in my calf around 9:30 PM. THAT shot me out of bed....except then I couldn't stand :) And of course, I woke Randy up! But he always knows what to do! First a bit of light massage to the calf down to my toes. Then a HEATING PAD! ahhhhh! Fell back to sleep until 4:30 AM! I feel better this morning :)

I guess the one thing to learn from this paragraph: DRINK LOTS OF WATER! If I had not fallen asleep, I would have been more hydrated, and then I might not have had the muscle cramp. But, it's hard to keep drinking water when you fall asleep :)
Live and learn!

Love and Hugs to all.....