In the past week, I've seen the breast surgeon, the medical oncologist and the radiation oncologist. OK, enough already! I'm ready to be DONE with doctors for a while. Everyone is happy with my progress. My medical oncologist prescribed Femara, which I will likely take for the next five years. And my radiation oncologist was complimentary of how I made my decision to not do chemo (not that he necessarily agreed with the decision, just that he thought I made a very informed decision).
I will have a baseline bone density scan after Labor Day as Femara can cause osteoporosis. I am taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, my vitamin D level was 45 and he likes it to be at least 50. I am close and will happily work to get over that level. Sunshine exposure helps! He did labwork (Metabolic Panel and tumor marker test) which I've not yet received the results...need to call about that tomorrow morning. And I go back to him towards the end of September, assuming I am tolerating the Femara well.
Speaking of Femara, it's a very expensive drug at about $400 a month before insurance coverage. With my plan, it would be over $200 for a 90 day supply. But Novartis must be feeling some competitive heat from a competing drug, Arimidex, which just went generic. So they have kindly provided a coupon that brings the monthly copay down to $10 and will cover up to $800 of my remaining copays for a 12-month period. Pretty sweet!
I am ready to get on with my life!
Well, at least you get permission to go and sun tan!!! I am sure that will be fun sitting next to the pool. Hopefully when you come up here to New Hampshire, we can accommodate you with some nice northern sunshine!
ReplyDeleteHopefully the poking and prodding will stop soon. You will need that so you can move on with your life.
Congrats on you now being a survivor from your friends here in New Hampshire.
Joe
Dear Michelle:
ReplyDeleteI was just diagnosed with breast cancer on Friday Sep 3 - my doctor had no information for me as the report had been faxed in 5 minutes before I saw her. I have an appointment on Tuesday to find out more. Please don't remove your blog from the internet as already I've been pouring over as many of your posts as I can. I feel so desperate and afraid and it's so helpful to be able to read of your experiences and obvious wisdom and maturity. I feel like I've lost it this weekend - one minute determined to live, next minute sure the cancer is fatal. Bless you for sharing this information - I'm sure there are lots of women who are grateful to you. I don't even know how I found your blog.... searching all over the internet for information. Thank you.
Margaret in Vancouver BC
Hey Michelle. Sorry I haven't checked in with you for a bit. How about an update once in a while here? I think you'd be surprised who else reads this. Also, I could use some inspiration as I have a good friend who will be undergoing a right mastectomy at the end of the month.
ReplyDeleteHope everything is smooth sailing for you from here on in.
Cora