February 18, 2026

-

Just another day in paradise.. LOL At least we've started thawing out from all the snow and ice. 

Today was my every 3 week visit to VCU for labs, office visit and immunotherapy infusion. Aside from my thyroid, my labs still look great. The Capecitabine does not seem to be having any effect on my immune system, thank God! 

The thyroid... is gonna be my mountain thru the rest of this treatment. I know it's a side effect from the immunotherapy, but dang. Today my thyroid level was at 16... the highest yet. Even after the med increase. Ugh... I know I'm supposed to take it before eating anything, which I do, but I did not know that my multivitamin and coffee could be having a negative affect on the thyroid medicine. Oops. So, I'm to try just taking my thyroid med then wait at least an hour to have coffee and take my vitamins. Luckily, the only ones that have to be around me that early are the dogs. My thyroid number being so high explains why I've still been so tired and exhausted, I've had a few palpitations, feeling very hot more often, restless sleeps, and my anxiety has been higher than normal. Hopefully following the doctor's recommendation will help improve things. 

We did address the side effects from the Capecitabine that I've been having and she did tell me to continue to use the Urea cream and that this would pass after this treatment is done. 

She asked if I've been having headaches, which must be a symptom of my thyroid being outta whack. I've been having more frequent headaches lately, which I've chalked up to poor diet, lack of sleep and stress at work. Haven't thought much else about them... To be on the safe side, she wants to do an MRI on my brain/head to make sure there's no issues going on up there that could be related. She doesn't think there is, but doesn't want to assume either, which I can appreciate. I'll wait for the call to schedule that. 

She also confirmed 5 more rounds of the chemo drugs and 6 more rounds of immunotherapy then this will be done! Woohoo!!! 

I meet with my plastic surgeon next week. Hopefully I'll get a reconstruction date so that this will all be closer to being over. Maybe by summer time I'll be free and clear of all things Cancer... of course we'll still have the 6 and 12 month checks but still.. no more treatments, side effects, 6 hour road trips..

Otherwise, my activity has basically returned to normal... lugging feed, housework, daily life without issues. I just can't quite lay on my sides fully because of the pressure of the expanders. And my hair is coming back fast, as curly and thick as it used to be. Give it a couple more months and I'll look like a Chia pet. 😜

I will say that I have met some fabulous people during this journey. The staff at the various VCU locations I've had to go to have been outstanding. Kind, compassionate, understanding, helpful and encouraging are just a few things that come to mind. Even the valet attendants are super friendly. Even the nurses and PA at Blue Ridge were great (the doctor, not so much).

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Intro

-
If you have landed here, you must know that I have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. My local oncologist said stage 2, the surgeons said 3... That's how my life goes... I'm agreeing with the surgeons based on how staging is actually done. I've created this blog to document my journey thru this diagnosis. My hope is to be as transparent as possible...  I will try to share the information that I have pertaining to this cancer and try to explain things in normal language. I recommend starting with the earliest dated post and following along in chronological order. I can't seem to get the posts to land in order from my viewpoint. Feel free to reach out directly any time with questions, comments or concerns.  I fully trust the Lord to get me thru this journey with Nathan by my side. I have cancer, it does not have me. 
Read more

August 1, 2025

-
Image
Following the recent events and conversations (or lack thereof) with folks in Roanoke about getting updated tests done and getting nothing but "slammed doors", Nathan started calling VCU to see if we could get updated tests done. I mean it makes sense since I'd already gone 12 rounds with the first chemo cocktail and the tumor couldn't be located by Dr. Merten.... Let's see where things are, right? Unfortunately they didn't have close appointments at the same facility so we had to go to 2 different VCU locations to get the tests done. No biggie. At least we'll know how things are progressing.... slow, fast, barely at all.... something.. What an Awesome God Went to VCU today for a follow-up diagnostic mammogram. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't worried that I've been overly optimistic with my current status and worried that they would find something new. The whole drive there I was hoping and praying for the best but preparing for the worst....
Read more

March 18, 2025

-
Image
 March 18, 2025 was the scheduled date for my diagnostic mammogram. Nathan took me to this appointment and, bless his heart, he couldn't go back with me but had to stay in the waiting area the whole time. This was a lengthy appointment too but he handled it with patience, especially since he'd just had his procedure to remove his skin cancer 5 days prior and was dealing with a black and swollen eye, stitches and overall discomfort. Well, I say he did. He said he did. I wasn't with him so... LOL So, diagnostic mammogram... they take you back to a small waiting room with a couple of closed spaces and lockers for changing and storing your belongings. Again with the half gown, open-in-front attire. Once changed we sit in a small waiting room, sometimes with other patients waiting for the same thing. The staff was very courteous.  After a short wait, it's off to visit the boob squisher. The process is the same, stand this way, bend that way, lean back, head facing this way, ...
Read more