Update on my bone scan report

mom2acat · #1 09-13-2012, 09:56 AM

I know some of you were wondering about the latest bone scan I had recently. Even though it shows the cancer is stable for now, (which means it's still there, it just not spreading for now), my oncologist wants me to stay on the chemo, because it's the chemo that has kept it stable and he wants to keep it from spreading beyond the bone. (For those that don't know, I have stage IV breast cancer that has spread to my bones.)

I was hoping to get a break from the chemo, but I should have known from past experience that it probably wouldn't happen. But I guess if I have to stay on chemo, it's better to stay on one where I know what to expect from the side effects and know how to plan my activities around my treatments, and at least I haven't lost my hair with this one.

The chemo I am on is called Gemzar, I get it two Tuesdays in row, then a Tuesday off. I am also on a bone drug called Aredia, which is given through an infusion once per month.

So, even though nothing has changed as far as my treatment goes, stable for now is still good news.

gayle · #2 09-13-2012, 01:09 PM

thanks for filling in some of the gaps about what you have and what is being done to help you. I pray that some day you will be completely cancer free.

Modemouth · #3 09-13-2012, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gayle

thanks for filling in some of the gaps about what you have and what is being done to help you. I pray that some day you will be completely cancer free.

Thanks for the update. One day at a time as we all live.

Nan · #4 09-13-2012, 07:01 PM

Stable is good! Chemo sucks, but it seems that this particular protocol that you're on agrees with you better than others might.

mom2acat · #5 09-14-2012, 07:46 AM

Thank you all! As far as the chemo goes, it's not the worst one I've been on, at least no hair loss with this one. The biggest side effect is on the blood counts, especially the hemoglobin, leaves me feeling fatigued much of the time.

Sugar · #6 09-14-2012, 01:33 PM

(((Hugs))) Thanks for sharing with us. We do care for you.

mom2acat · #7 09-15-2012, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar

(((Hugs))) Thanks for sharing with us. We do care for you.

Thank you

Nan · #8 09-15-2012, 10:11 PM

Are they giving you the shots to help keep your counts up?

Mary C · #9 09-16-2012, 06:03 AM

I admire your strengh and resolve, and am glad you are at least stable.

mom2acat · #10 09-16-2012, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nan

Are they giving you the shots to help keep your counts up?

I had shots the first time around I had chemo in 2003, but not this time. When my white counts are too low, I just have to be careful about avoiding sick people and crowds. If my hemoglobin gets too low, they give me a blood transfusion. I've been getting those on average every other month.