I realize the last post was a bit of a downer, as I wrote it on one of only two bad days that I have had so far throughout this whole crazy experience. I know it's natural to have ups and downs, but I want to reassure you, my dear friends and family, that I have really been mostly up, and remain up--and I ask you to remain up with me. I am feeling very encouraged and optimistic, despite a few small setbacks. There have been a few frustrations this week, trying to get all of my medical records in a timely manner from the Black Hole that is Kaiser Member Services, but as of yesterday we finally obtained what we needed (thanks to my wonderful and tenacious husband who would not take no for an answer), and delivered them to Dr. Levy at Stanford who will be offering his 2nd opinion. After speaking to Dr. Levy on the phone last week, he seemed to agree with the treatment plan that my Kaiser docs are proposing, but he wants to make sure that he agree with their diagnosis, and therefore needs to see my pathology slides, CT scans and MRI images. Hopefully we will hear from him very soon.
I met with my Kaiser oncologist, Dr. Vempaty, again today to ask several more questions. We decided to go ahead and schedule treatment to begin on Monday, September 20. I will go in for my first of 4 weekly infusions of the Rituxan drug (this is the non-chemo drug that only attacks the cancer cells and not the healthy cells, therefore causing fewer side effects than chemo). That will give a week for Dr. Levy (the Stanford doc) to look over my records and hopefully concur with my current diagnosis. If he disagrees-- well, then we will cross that bridge at that time. This coming week I will attend an orientation for the infusion clinic at Kaiser, and continue resting, reading up and preparing for treatment. (I have been on medical leave for these past three weeks since my surgery, deciding that it was best for me to focus on figuring out my treatment options and not have to worry about the stress of work right now).
BEST case scenario, I will have my first infusion on the 20th, take off Tuesday the 21st to recover, and return to work on Wednesday the 22nd and work the rest of that week. The following week I would follow the same pattern: infusion on Monday, rest on Tuesday, work Wednesday through Friday. That will take me up to my school's two-week October break which begins on the 4th, and I will finish the other two infusion treatments over the break and return to work full time after the break on the 18th. Of course, this is all depending on how I feel and how well I react to the treatments... I have no idea how fatigued I will be, but this is what I am hoping for. I miss school terribly--my friends, colleagues and students-- and I am anxious to get back to my normal life again! I really like the idea of coming back part time for the two weeks before break so that I can ease back in--I'm sure it will be an adjustment after being gone for so long. After I receive the four weeks of treatment, we will wait six weeks and then do another MRI to see how the cancer responded to the drugs, and see if I need additional treatments (fingers crossed that it will work!)
So that is the latest update. I have been so grateful to everyone for all the well-wishes, positive vibes and prayers that have continued to come my way -- not to mention all of the delicious meals that have been provided by my fabulous colleagues!! We are so incredibly appreciative of all of the support we have received... it truly means so much to us. I am REALLY looking forward to jumping over this health hurdle and returning to life as it was before!
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