We just got back from the oncologist's office. Our hope was to know everything about what is going to happen but we really didn't think we'd be that lucky. We do know a little more, however.
First the doctor told us about hormone therapy which is quite popular with fighting breast cancer. Having studied up on all this, Carolyn asked Dr.Duong if all the side effects he was describing weren't very similar to the symptoms of Menopause. He agreed. Then Carolyn asked if the medication didn't actually increase the occurrence of certain types of cancer. In other words, this could be a classical win-lose situation She could win the battle against one cancer only to fall victim yet again to another. No, Dr. Duong, countered, a new drug on the market has the same efficiency in killing cancer cells without causing additional cancer. The side effects really are just like going through menopause. That was good news.
Carolyn steeled herself for the second shoe to drop as Dr. Duong said, "Now about chemo. . ." Carolyn let her breath out slowly. "We're not at all sure it would be worth it," Dr. Duong continued. Apparently there is a test they can run on the cancerous tissue which will give a better idea about just how effective chemo will be. They hadn't run that test yet, since they wanted to know first if Carolyn needed those test results to make up her mind about accepting chemotherapy. The decision really is in her hands but she can ask for a test to help her make that decision. She opted to wait for the test results which we can expect in about 2 weeks.
We wait some more.
Sounds like Mom is the ideal patient: well informed and as rational as a person in her situation could be.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you choose to do, it will be the right decision. Waiting has to be difficult.
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