Updates and the Start of Ibrance

 Dear Friends and Family,

Ibrance started yesterday (Wed., June 11) - I take all my meds at night after I eat. I've definitely been anxiously nervous about taking it and the side effects that can happen, so say a little prayer that they will be mild and I can stay on this for a very long time. I am laying low for a couple of weeks, not going in public/crowded places while we see how my white/red blood cell counts will do...which can tank. I cannot be around anyone that is sick. 

Ibrance works by targeting and blocking specific proteins (CDK4 and CDK6) that cancer cells need to grow and divide. By slowing down the cell cycle, it helps stop the spread of hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative or positive breast cancer, especially when combined with hormone therapy of anastrozole that I am on.  Think of it like...anastrozole blocks the estrogen in the cancer cells from the bottom and Ibrance latches onto it from the top and makes it die off. 

I saw Dr. Kritz last week for my femur pain and to figure out my raspy voice deal. The good news is he said he does not believe the cancer has moved to my femur, but that I could still have some inflammation. I am trying really hard to trust that is correct, but....I feel this pain like a quarter size pinpointed location. I won't have another scan to know for sure for 4 months or so. 

He ordered a bone density scan that I completed at Wake Radiology which showed that I have a bit more osteopenia than I did prior, but do not have osteoporosis. So...Dr. Kritz wants to talk to me again about starting the bone strengthening injections to shore up my bones, sort of a necessary thing for dealing with bone cancer. So, yes...I'll likely have to start this soon.  I see him again on July 7th, so I'll let you know. 

He prescribed Zoloft for my mental stuff...that's been my main issue for many reasons. Part of that struggle has been because when pain happens, the mental health becomes unstable. During the times I felt the least pain, I feel the best mentally. Funny how that goes hand in hand. I had my psychiatry visit and she explained that to me pretty clearly. Makes sense. 

I did take the prescribed pain med one time. Friday last week, I started having pain at a level 6 and by Saturday morning it jumped to 8 or so. I took the Tramadol, and we drove to Beaufort to spend a BEAUTIFUL time with friends at their lovely home and walked to the riverfront and I felt much better!  So, ok...I give....I'll take the Tramadol if I'm in pain. 

It was so nice and much needed for Chuck and I to have a quick getaway out of town. We are still so amazed and grateful for our friends that wrap us in friendship and love, it means so much to us and we are concentrating on all that goodness and sweetness. A nurse of mine told me once that there will be people in your life that will not show up for you that you thought would. That is true and it's really hard to not let that bring us down. Unfortunately, I am one of those people that is really bothered by that, but....I am trying to accept the things I cannot change. "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference".

Chuck and I are packing up the house in preparation for the big move, but I am sort of worthless in that department. Chuck's sister, and the best SIL in the whole world, June - has organized a Sign Up Genius for us to have people help us pack, transport some things and unpack when we move. WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR HER AND ALL THAT HAVE SIGNED UP!! I cannot tell you how much this means to us....it's truly a godsend. Thank you, June! This is the exact type of goodness we are concentrating on.

We close on our current home July 17 - we head to Pigeon Forge for a Dean Cousin Getaway (yay!!), back on July 20, we close on our new home July 22 and then move in July 29.  

That is the update for now!  More soon....

Hugs and Love,

Chill 



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