PET Scan Results

Today was PET scan day. The last big diagnostic test that we needed before starting treatment. The PET scan is a full body scan to see if the cancer has spread to any other part of the body. Because we knew that at least a few lymph nodes had cancer in them, there was a chance it could have spread. 

The results? The cancer has NOT spread!! Yay!! Even the doctors seemed relieved. They said that I have stage 3a breast cancer, which is curable. Yay, again!! Although, that does means some aggressive treatment to get there.

What does stage 3a mean?

I'll still start my first round of chemo next week. My first 4 doses will be pretty bad, but they are every other week. That means I should be ok for Christmas! But they said to expect my hair to start falling out 1-2 weeks after starting chemo. Small price to pay to save my life, right?

The day after each chemo treatment I'll have to get a shot to boost my white blood cell count. But they said I really don't have to be overly worried about getting sick. I mean, please stay away if you are sick, but I don't need to live in a bubble.

I'm also participating in the "Berenice Trial". That's a clinical trial for Her2+ breast cancer patients. They want to see if a combo of Herceptin and Pertuzumab (antibody's that target Her2+ specifically) for a year is more beneficial than just 4 doses. Ya, I was also confused by the names and details. I also get to enjoy extra labs and heart tests to participate. But hopefully I come out with remarkable results! 

Now I'll enjoy my final week of being normal, relatively speaking.