New Biopsy Results-Game Changer!

Was up at 5 am & prayed that today would be a different kind of day at The James than last Tuesday when I was an emotional train wreck. 

On the way to Columbus at 8 am this morning we got a call from from nurse practitioner at The James saying that the biopsy results were indeed different than the first biopsy report. Supposedly it’s not triple negative after all in the lymph node, but ER-PR-HER2+! Not exactly sure what that means yet. They delayed my infusion for a couple hours so we went to a nearby park and sat on the bench and enjoyed a beautiful fountain at Goodall Park while waiting for Dr Sudheendra to see us!! 

Just met with the oncologist at noon and her delightful young resident MD, Jasmine. So thankful they did the second biopsy! Not that the bone biopsy was incorrect because Dr Sudheendra double checked it and it actually WAS triple negative, but the lymph node result was actually different than the bone. It was ER- PR- HER2+ which means my treatment will be TOTALLY different than originally planned at the other oncologist. At the end of my visit with her I hugged her and thanked her for going the extra mile and requesting that second biopsy. 

So the new medications I’ll be having every 3 weeks is referred to as PTD. Perjeta and Herceptin are the HER2 antibodies that will target the cancer cells. I’ll have those as long as my body responds to them EVERY 3 weeks. Then I’ll also have a chemotherapeutic drug called Taxotere for about the next several months and then they’ll stop that one. All of these I’ll have done once every 3 weeks along with a bone strengthening drug every 6 weeks. They’ll give steroids every time and anti-nausea meds as needed. The most visible side effect is hair loss from the Taxotere but since it’s only a short term drug, my hair should start growing back by the end of the year. Evidently one of the most common side effects of Taxotere that effects my daily life is diarrhea so lots of Imodium on hand. 

See began the infusion, they started me out on 50 mg Benadryl and I felt literally woozy and drugged immediately for a couple hours. Thankfully it’s wearing off! Because it’s my first time having them, they gave each drug separately to watch for reactions. It took another 4 hours in chemo salon from start to finish!! Thankfully we had a private room. 

The main nurse that helped out today was a lovely woman named Keri whom I got to share my heart with her and she was very encouraging and positive with a patient and kind soul. I would easily say she is one of my Million little miracles! 

Headed home now. Mind is too tired and full to talk. Going home to a friend I met almost 30 years ago. Kathy P flew in from Prescott, AZ for a couple days to love on me like old friends do.