Zumeta

Clarksdale Orchard

Today I went back to see the nurse practitioner. I'm now on monthly visits. Which I really am not happy about. In some ways I feel ridiculous for complaining about this - there are millions of people around the world who would love to be seen on a regular basis at the Dana Farber - and I also have insurance that pays for basically everything. And I walk there.

I had a blood draw. They charge around $500 for that - and they also add a charge for the phlebotomist. My blood work is always perfect - so I don't see why they continue to draw it. Even in the midst of a bad cancer situation back in 2008, nothing ever showed up. But it's standard care so it's done. I then went to see the NP who listened to my lungs, felt my belly. That's it. Asked how I feel - I feel fine!

But now I'm starting a new treatment - every 3 months I'll get an infusion of Zumeta which is to prevent further bone problems. The hormones cause osteoporosis and the Zumeta helps with that as well as preventing further tumors. Something like that. I took it for years but back then it was monthly. So this is better in that sense.

I'll see her again next month. I will email The Vixen to ask why I have to go. It seems like a waste of money and everyone's time. The important visit will be in December when I get all the scans and MRI to see if the sacrum tumor shrunk.

The thing that's probably most concerning is my super slow pulse. This morning it was in the low 40's. Last fall I had a cardiac procedure - an ablation - for premature ventricular contraction. My pulse was in the low 30's. It's not dangerous per se but over time it weakens the heart muscle. After the procedure my pulse was more normal but still really slow. Like in the 50's. But now it's dropped back into the 40's again so I've contacted my PCP. The nurse writes back to say, "make an appointment". But didn't say with who. I find the whole medical system quite maddening. So wrote back - with who? It's a huge system and I was discharged from cardiology. I am turning into a very cranky patient.

And yet... I feel quite grateful. My dad's cousin had cancer when I did - and recently had a recurrence. He's in very bad shape and suffering a lot. In pain, heavy medication, no good treatment options. I pray for him. 

"Living Well with Metastatic Breast Cancer" Article

Every once in a while I get interviewed or blog for The Dana Farber Cancer Institute. I got a call a few months ago - and this photo was taken just days before my recurrence. I am ashamed to say I felt some smugness - they had both had recurrences and were on active treatment - and I was not - at that moment.

Beware, smugness.

Dana Farber Turning Point Magazine 2017

Reflexology

Oriental Foot Reflexology
Watertown, MA

A few weeks ago Pat (standing next to me ) from yoga class invited a few of us to go to reflexology. Sarah Jane and Laila (age 92!!) went also. I had never tried and actually I really don't like massage at all. I've gone a few times over the years but always get kind of creeped out by it - alone in a room with a stranger with little or no clothing. But I decided to go along anyway. I thought it would be basically a great foot massage - and I love that! Anyway, it was an amazing experience. We got the "spa" treatment. We all went into a darkened room and sat down on individual tables and put our feet in warm water laced with dried petals. We lied down on our tables with our own therapists. They put a cover over your eyes and then the magic began. It was incredible. They work on your whole body. I have never been so relaxed. I bought a 6-package and am ready to do this regularly. It felt medicinal/therapeutic. I thought it was an ancient lineage but it's not necessarily. It's considered alternative medicine but it's also considered "quackery" by some. It was "discovered" by an American doctor in 1913 then later developed further by a nurse in the 1930's and 1940's but thought to be tied to ancient Egypt and China. The history is kind of murky. But I don't care about that. It was great! Try it!

I'm doing fine. The further away I get from the doctors and appointments, the better I feel. I'm sleeping! Kande was here this week and gave me a dose of doxylamine succinate. From Costco! That really knocked me out and I woke feeling refreshed. But in general I'm sleeping pretty well. What a relief. The Vixen said that I'd probably adjust to the Letrozole which has been causing the insomnia. That may be. But now I have a few remedies in case. Paula also made some recommendations about foods with melatonin such as tart cranberry juice and almonds.

I'll see the breast oncology nurse practitioner in a few weeks. I'll also start on another medication - Zumeta - that's a monthly infusion. It's not chemo but it's used to prevent further bone tumors. I've taken it in the past and it was fine. I felt flu-like for about one day.

In the meantime I'm living the life I want. I feel strong, healthy and energetic. All good.