News from Sheila

Here is the latest from Sheila. She continues to leave me in a state of awe and inspiration.


I had an appointment with my oncologist today to go over the pathology report (right mastectomy was a week and a half ago). The news was good. The tumor measured only 2.7 centimeters – quite a bit smaller than the 3 to 5 centimeter estimate that was derived from the MRI and PET images over the past few weeks. Also, only two of the 23 lymph nodes the doctor removed were cancerous. The fewer nodes involved the better, so we were really glad to hear only two were affected. The odd thing, however, is that one of the two nodes measured 5.3 centimeters! It’s ridiculously large – nearly twice the size of the tumor. The oncologist said he didn’t feel overly concerned about it – the size of the breast tumor and the number of nodes affected is what matters, and the fact that my main tumor was relatively small and only two nodes are affected is very positive. My oncologist is planning to discuss my case with his colleagues next week. Typically, tumors under 5 centimeters and with fewer than four nodes involved would not have to undergo radiation following chemo, but depending on the opinions of the other experts, this may not be the case for me.

I will likely start chemotherapy the first week in March – one week later than I had originally thought. I have a final meeting with the oncologist on Feb. 19 to discuss details. It sounds like I will start with two drugs every other week for eight weeks, then switch over to another drug weekly for 12 weeks. The medicine is delivered through an IV, which usually takes a couple hours each time. For most people, the nausea hits the next day and lasts for a couple days. I had a terrific conversation with a fellow West Woodland mom today who went through cancer treatment two years ago, and she said that she managed her chemo very well with acupuncture and the use of a “reflexology mat” – a type of bumpy mat that you walk on. It stimulates parts of the foot that correspond to different body parts. It is used widely in China and said to help manage nausea. I plan to get one and also start seeing an acupuncturist.

The chemotherapy drugs will be delivered via a port-a-cath – a small port that is imbedded just under the skin near the collarbone, and stays there for the duration of treatment. The oncologist and the surgeon had initially decided that I would be delivered the chemo through a vein in my arm, but the difficulties the IV tech had finding a vein before my surgery made them decide on the port-a-cath. I will be taking a low dose of coumadin (a blood thinner) while the port-a-cath is in place to fend off the possibility of a blod clot (I had blood clots in my leg during my pregnancy, so the coumadin will be used as a precaution).

I also saw a naturopath earlier this week and she had me start taking a multivitamin, fish oil, Vitamin D, and calcium. I will also start taking digestive enzymes once I start chemotherapy. Her suggestions for dietary changes were very similar to what Jason and I had already researched – more green tea, more Omega3s, and – sadly – no sugar. I have been off refined sugar for a week and a half now, and it’s pretty tough. I thought I had found a good replacement: dried tart cherries from the bulk section at Ballard Market. I checked the nutritional information on the bin yesterday when I went back to get more and I noticed, unfortunately, that sugar was added. I switched to another type of dried cherries without sugar – not nearly as yummy, but I’ll take what I can get. I am also using agave syrup – a natural sweetener – instead of sugar on things like muesli and plain yogurt. I am finding that what I crave the most are the pastries from Starbucks. The low-fat blueberry coffeecake and the cranberry orange scone used to be my weekly treats. I am finding myself thinking about them all the time. I will probably have sweets every now and then once I start treatment, but while there are cancer cells still running loose in my body I am abstaining. Cancer feeds off sugar, and even though our bodies turn all food into glucose, I can’t justify adding in any more.

The drains that were in place after surgery were removed yesterday, so it’s easier to move around (AND, I don’t have to empty them three times a day – yuk!). I see the surgeon tomorrow for a check-up, but all looks good at the surgical site.

That’s it for now!