MISCELLANEOUS UPDATES FROM MOM AND JUDY

Since last update, Judy has been back to the General Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon, Oncologist, Genetic Counselor, back to school with Daphne as an observer, and started back to work.

At the General Surgeon's, staples were removed (he actually used a staple remover). She doesn't return there for 3 months (told Dr W. that she will miss him, he told her that he's not going anywhere and that she knows where to find him). He told her that she could start her arm exercises now. Although they are painful she is very happy with the results from doing the exercises and notices more movement in her arm each day!

At the Plastic Surgeon's she had her tissue expander expanded with 60cc of saline (that's 210cc of the required 450cc until the tissue expander is fully expanded and ready for replacement with the actual implant). She returns there every two weeks for more expansion. This didn't hurt the day of but the following day her skin felt tight and bruised. The doctor uses a magnet to locate the metallic port under her skin into which he injects the saline. Such high tech equipment (magnets, staple removers, Geiger counters)!

As far as the genetic testing, I'm not sure where that stands, apparently they still have her blood sample which was drawn earlier, they are just doing a re-check with the insurance company to come up with the amount of deposit required before they run the test. We do not expect to have results from this test for about a month.

At the Oncologists, he discussed 3 different options for chemo and based on his recommendation, she selected a protocol called TC (Taxotere & Cytoxan). She will require 4 treatments, each one will be 3 weeks apart. Side effects of chemo are hair loss, fatigue, decreased blood counts which will place her at risk of infection (so she will need to avoid sick contacts), fatigue, nausea & vomiting. TC causes less nausea & vomiting than the other 2 options. She will be given medications prior to chemo to prevent nausea & afterwards will be given a prescription for medication to decrease it if it occurs. The rationale for chemo is as a precautionary measure to destroy any microscopic cancer cells which might have escaped into the blood stream or into any lymph nodes which were not removed. After chemo she will be on an oral medication called Tamoxiphen for 5 years. This is the medication which blocks estrogen from binding to any remaining cancer cells & prevents further growth. She will require follow up visits to the Oncologist every 3 months for 2 years. She meets Thursday 1/ 22 with the Nurse Practitioner at the Oncologists office for chemo education, planning, scheduling, etc. Chemo will likely start the following week.

At Daphne's school, Judy will continue as an observer for the rest of January and hopefully will be back as a full fledged participant in February.

Her first day back to work teaching an improv class at Second City was on 1/10 and was more than she had bargained for. She had over estimated her readiness and was overwhelmed with fatigue, pain and nausea. She ended up telling her class what was going on (this was a new class). She did make it through the class; they were very supportive and actually applauded her at the end of class.

Her second work day, also another new improv class at Second City was on 1/14 and was a much better experience. She felt much stronger and much more ready to be back at work. She still tires quickly and she struggles with pain issues, some from the tissue expanders, but mostly nerve pain above her elbow in her right arm to her right shoulder blade. Apparently when they do the axillary node dissection they dissect a nerve in your arm , leaving you with numbness and nerve pain that feels like burning. She has been told that this will eventually decrease and that she will get used to it, but no one has said how long "eventually" is. So, as a result it bothers to have anything touching her arm or upper back.

(This is Judy now...the stuff above is from my mom)... With all of this I have gotten back on the positive side. I had a really rough week last week where I was really angry and frustrated and sad and could not sleep. Most nights I was up until at least four am and one time seven. After sharing this with the Breast Care Specialist who is a close family friend and also works with my mom at the hospital, she said that this was completely normal. She said she would be worried about me if I wasn't feeling this way. Then when I contacted Mary Jane from Gilda's club (who is wonderful btw) and told her my frustrations I apologized for being a bummer and she said that I did not sound like I was a bummer. I sound like I have cancer. So, it was refreshing to hear that from those two. I do plan on going to meetings and support groups in the near future. The breast care specialist said that many women end up going at the end of their treatment due to the fact that they are so busy with doctor appointments and recovering. So, that also made me feel better because I was wondering if I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.

Being able to spend more time with Daphne has been wonderful for my recovery. I miss her so much when I am at my parents recovering. I have been able to drive so that means more time in the city and much more time visiting Daphne. I get worn out so quickly though. She has gotten used to me taking a three hour nap after just one or two hours of playing. Sometimes she suggests a nap for me and shows me where I should nap.

Teaching and getting back to life has been a wonderful feeling, too.

I am getting more independent! I can tie my own shoes now and can put on some shirts by myself if they are baggy enough.

Ok. Time to go dance with Daphne (which means I hold Daphne with one arm and use our maracas to shake and to sing into them like a microphone and watch ourselves in the mirror. Very fun). My left arm should be really buff from picking her up with just one arm!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for the love and support. I really can't express enough how much it means to me. Love to you.

Judy (and Judy's mom)