The Official End to Chemo!

It's been just about 3 weeks since my last chemo.  I have accepted that my recovery is going to take time.  I am trying to make sure that I rest when I get the chance.  Chemotherapy is behind me (insert big smile & happy dance here) and I see the radiation oncologist this Friday.

I had lab work and an appointment with the oncologist today.  I asked about the triple negative status of my cancer.  He confirmed that there is currently not any medication (such as Tamoxifen) for me to take post-treatment.  This type of cancer also has a higher recurrence rate for the first 5 years after treatment.  The doctor said that they are able to monitor for recurrence by the results of my lab work.  I will also be having chest x-rays periodically as well as yearly mammograms.  He said I am in remission now but not cured until the 5 year point.

I just looked up more information on triple negative breast cancer.  I found that 10-20% of breast cancer is triple negative.  Medical Oncologist George Sledge, M.D. says, "This is an exceptionally hot area of research in the breast cancer field."  He also states that, "There is immense interest among drug developers, pharmaceutical companies and breast cancer laboratory researchers in finding targeted therapies for these patients".  I am so thankful for this and am optimistic that during the next 5 years there will be a new preventative medication for me to take.

I had my port flushed today for the first time.  I haven't had to do this because of having chemo every 3 weeks, but now that chemo is over I will need to have the flush done once a month.  It was easy & quick.  In fact I continued sitting in the chair because I didn't realize they were done!

I go back to work tomorrow!!!  So excited for this!!!  I visited last Thursday and it was so nice to see the kids.  3or 4 kids asked me about my hair.  They knew it looked different and they wondered why. Those kids are so smart, they don't miss anything!