Update from week of 12/14/09

Well, been on a lengthy trip again which I did not have plans for. When I got to Duke on Monday, I was given 3 options due to my leg bone pain:

(a) Immediate admission to hospital for IV pain medications
(b) Start radiation to pubic bone
(c) Start chemo treatment

By the time I got to duke on Monday, my treatments had changed again. The liver biopsy showed that my tumor markers had changed
so I was no longer acceptable to the clinical trial which I had been contemplating. My only treatment now is for pure chemo called ABC
which is given on a weekly basis. I decided to go with option B above as radiation would help shrink the size of the tumor (unable to
determine size of this tumor) and help with the pain. So, Monday afternoon I was sent to the Radiation clinic and they did some initial
cat scans to determine the areas where chemo would hit, then scheduled me for radiation at 11:30 on Tuesday for 5 days. We have
been looking at the same 4 walls for 5 days so finally got home today and glad to be here, especially since they are calling for snow.
I have to return on Monday for final radiation treatment @ 11:30, appointment for bloodwork at 1:00, 2:30 with my doctor and 3:30
for chemo treatment. Hopefully, we will be able to return home on Monday evening, but do not know that for sure. I'm so grateful
to Duke for suggesting the liver biopsy as the biopsy showed that my tumor markers had changed from Estrogen negative to
Estrogen positive and is breast cancer related, but I know for sure that I am getting the right treatment as the Arimidex I had been
taking was no longer treating the cancer. Sneaky little cancer cells, aren't they? Even though I haven't started my chemo treatments, I have had weird tastes and a lot of nausea and they have changed my nausea and pain medications. Angela says she is
going to come spend the weekend with me, since I have alcohol and plenty of pain meds, between the two of them, we won't care
about the snow! Just kidding. So, will start on the chemo road again which I thought might be later down the road, but guess
I kept my wig and hats for some reason. I'm donating all of them this time! Hope that I will be able to update everyone on Monday
evening as I love being at home. There is nothing like your own bed and pillow. Merry Christmas to all.