I really do like Dr. Rafat Ansari, my oncologist. Yesterday I had my first follow up appointment with him since my initial consultation. He does not make me feel rushed and takes time to answer all of my questions, which I had my fair share of yesterday. He also has a very gentle spirit. But the most importantly thing to me is that he is highly qualified.
It was all good news. I will see him every six months for 2-3 years. I will also keep having mammograms twice a year. Once a year for both breasts and the other time for the left breast only. I had mentioned to Curt a while back that if twice a year was not recommended by him I still thought I would want to do it and pay for the one out of pocket just for my peace of mind right now.
I asked him about whether he would consider ordering an Oncotype DX test which is a “genomic test ($3,500.00) that predicts the likelihood of cancer recurrence, and of survival in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer that has not spread to their lymph nodes and is estrogen receptive positive.” (article from Women & Cancer/Spring 2008) That’s me. I like his answer. He said that it was not needed for me because he estimates my reoccurence rate at 4%. Pretty dog-gone good, I would say. The thing I did not ask him was whether that includes the possibility of cancer in the other breast.
I have an appointment with my endocrinologist on September 2nd. Prior to going to see him I will have blood drawn to see where I am at with the thyroid medicine I am on and if it needs to be tweaked. I am also interested to see how my calcium levels are running with the problems I had with parathyroid disease, kidney stones and the fact that the arimidex I am on for breast cancer is hard on the bones. Dr. Ansari said I will be having a bone scan done next year to check on that issue. Anyway back to Dr. Tachman. The blood test will also give him T3 and T4 levels as well as my thyroglobulin. I hope to see that is way down as it was high prior to the radioactive iodine therapy.
On September 4th I go to my family physician for my yearly check up. Ha ha. That is funny. What is he going to tell me? I have health problems? I will find out from him how my cholesterol issue is going and discuss with him that my blood pressure has been running on the high side, 130/90. I have noticed that it has been for quite some time and i suspect it is because of the arimidex as well. We all know that harsh treatments are a double edged sword. You need them but they also do harm. 
Other than all of that I am doing well. I am still feeling tired but I imagine that is normal after all the “stuff” that has been going on. I am encouraged and have been thinking today of the verse in Psalm 27:13 which says “Wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart.” I feel that after all that has gone on that my heart has definitely been strengthened. It feels good to know for a fact that God can be counted on during the tough stuff of life.
I will keep blogging even though they are farther apart these days and that is a very good thing!
Love,
Carmel
PS Tomorrow I am going to Indianapolis to pick up some very special medicine that has no side effects. Arielle and Aryana. Two very special grandbabies. 
