Yesterday I gave my consent for Herceptin — my next round of chemo that will take me back to that infusion room with the pink lounge chairs. I will begin the first week in August for a “loading dose,” will report back one week later for a normal dose and then will return every three weeks after that for one year. In two days I will have my heart tested for a baseline reading and my heart will be monitored every three to four months throughout treatment. Apparently, Herceptin affects that pumping of the heart. So a nice steady pump might slow down or become erratic. My doctor says this can normalize within six months — and for some it takes one year. It’s uncharted territory, really. Because Herceptin is so new, there are no 10 or 20-year studies to draw from. There are just women who have been studied in clinical trials for the past few years. And no huge conclusions have been drawn yet — except that Herceptin is showing great promise for saving lives.
So I have consented to this therapy because it may save my life. I hope my heart can take it.
Jacki Donaldson
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and your HEART!
Love,
Renee
Jacki, All along I have admired your courage and clarity through this awful ordeal you have been through. It has also turned out to be a great act of generousity. Although it turns out I am fine, about a month ago when a lump was discovered on my thyroid through today when I got my biopsy results, the thing that kept me sane was thinking about the grace with which you have handled the matter. Without even knowing it, you provided me with a role model and inspired me to believe that no matter how things turned out I could face them bravely and overcome. Although I am relieved not to be going down that path, it was nice to know that I would have had your footsteps to follow. Thank you so much! Michelle
Thanks for visiting, I always love to connect with my BC sisters, can’t wait to catch up on your site… for now, I will say is keep fighting & never EVER give up! *hugs*
Hi Jacki,
I just read all of your blog, (found you from Sandee’s blog).
I have a sister battleing cancer and find it comforting to read blogs like yours. Although she is being told she won’t last to Christmas we still hope.
Thank you brave ladies for taking the time to educate and inform people like myself on the subject. You are a brave insperational woman!!
{{{Big Hugs}}}
you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jacki, I check your site every couple of days and love to read about how you’re doing, especially now that you have mostly good news! I know you thought long and hard about the decision to start the new treatment. I have every faith that it will only mean more years with your boys, more laughter, and more good times. I think of you often, and send positive thoughts your way. All the best, always, Annie.
I am so sorry that you are still battling tough days like the other day and still must have to run all of these difficult decisions through your mind. I imagine it is overwhelming to think everything is finally going the way you would like and you are healing, to again have to decide to receive more treatment. You have followed your instincts and intuition all along and it has been the correct thing to do, so I am sure this will again be another positive outcome. You have learned to trust your doctors and yourself, and that can only be a positive thing. Continue to be strong and rest comfortable with your decisions. You are strong and will emerge even stronger when you are finished with this treatment. You are in my thoughts and my prayers and I can’t wait for our visit.
Love, April
Like your previous “gut reactions”, this will probably serve you well. I will be thinking of you over these next months just as I think of you as I watch Lance in Tour de France. You both are too incredible for words! Love, Heather & Giselle