Sooooo, back in March I went for my annual physical exam. Unfortunately, I got a call-back for my mammogram and an authorization for an abdominal CT scan. This was completely unexpected -- I've had clean mammos for many years.
This plunged me into a period of testing and appointments that finally resulted in a diagnosis of invasive lobular breast cancer, metastatic Stage IV. In addition to the primary tumor and adjacent lymph node involvement, I have numerous bone lesions. No other organ involvement has been discovered at this time, but my bones are not in great shape. The discomfort I've been attributing to old age and arthritis has actually been bone deterioration.
To make a long story short, I am now in treatment, and will be for the rest of my life. The outlook is actually fairly good. Great advances have been taking place with breast cancer treatment, and the combination of meds I'm on suggest the hope of quite a few years ahead of me. The meds are mind-bogglingly expensive -- one of the prescriptions costs out at $13,500 a month (!!!) which translates to a $3000 a month responsibility for us -- but we've worked through all the assistance channels and have qualified to receive that one from the manufacturer for FREE. (Which would tell us something about $$$ in the pharmaceutical industry.) Our health insurance is excellent and almost everything else has been covered so far, just an odd $5 co-pay here and there.
I was relieved to learn that I will not be undergoing a mastectomy to remove the original tumor and lymph glands. The purpose for removing a tumor would be to prevent cancer cells from spreading but that horse is already out of the barn so to speak. Instead, the med combination I've been started on is systemic, meaning it should work on the cancer cells everywhere throughout my body. I will never be "cured" but I can expect that things will be "managed" for quite a while.
I've just completed the first cycle of treatment and I'm in the 'off' week right now. Yes, there are side effects, but I keep getting strong reassurances from the various doctors about the benefits outweighing the side effects. So far, so good. It will take a couple more cycles, another couple of months, before we can expect to see (hopefully good) results.
I'm grateful that this turned out to be breast cancer, which has many treatment options, rather than another kind of cancer with more limited possibilities. I'm very grateful that we moved down from the mountains when we did and live just a few minutes from excellent medical care -- up there, we would have been facing a 90-minute drive each way every time I needed a test or appointment or treatment, which turns out to be almost every day. I'm grateful for our medical insurance. I'm extremely grateful for the top-notch care team that I've been lucky enough to connect with. I'm immeasurably grateful for my family, who are surrounding me with love and care.
I'm feeling good right now. That will change eventually, but I'm old anyway, and expectations at this end of life are different than they would have been earlier. Onward from here into the unknown ...
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5 comments:
A diagnosis of cancer must have been such a surprise/shock, Jeanne. (My sister, a nurse, tells me it's the diagnosis no one expects to receive.) I'm glad they discovered it when they did so that you could receive treatment and that the treatment is so effective. I hope the side effects are not unbearable and that you can continue doing the things you love unimpeded, or at least mostly unimpeded. It sounds like many blessings all around!
It's been good to see you blogging again. Take care.
What a shock. At my age, 72, I approach every medical appointment with trepidation, wondering whether this will be the time they tell me something similar. I am sorry the unwelcome news has come to you, but glad to hear that it is treatable, although I am aware of the physical and emotional cost of so many treatments. You have a wonderful attitude and approach and I hope for the very best for you.
Oh Jeanne - I'm wishing so much that I could climb inside the computer and give you the biggest hug imaginable. That's not a diagnosis anyone wants, that's for sure, but it sounds as though they have a good treatment plan in place and the prognosis is as good as it can be. Take care of you and know that thoughts are with you.
I am very sorry you are going through this! Equally glad that there is a treatment for it (gulped at that price tag!) So glad you are feeling good right now. I have always felt such a diagnosis gives a new gratitude for each day. I am glad you moved!! You are in my prayers.
I'm sorry to hear of your cancer diagnosis. Another breast cancer survivor told me to surround my self with calm during all the treatments. I took her advice and feel it helps. Wishing you calm and joy in your life.
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