Hello friends,
I’ve had a big week! The first and most exciting thing is that I found out I am NOT having chemotherapy.
When Paul and I met with the oncology doctor last Tuesday, she put all my information into a fancy online calculator called ‘Predict’, specifically for breast cancer.
It shows the percentage likelihood someone will still be alive after 15 years (the longest the calculator could calculate) and then you could toggle treatments on and off to see the difference each made.
I’m still having radiation and also doing hormone therapy (a medicine called Letrozole – for five years!) but these both have ‘minimal’ side effects apparently.
Of course we all know about how horrible chemotherapy is, even if it’s just anecdotally or even from the movies.
Well, apparently I would only receive a 1% better benefit from having chemo, and because it’s so hard on the body, they only strongly recommend it when there is a 5% or more benefit.
The doctor almost seemed giddy when she was showing me my results that she already knew. I wondered why she was so peppy when we came into her office!
Of course no-one knows what the future will bring, but for now, I’m a happy person. I walked out of there feeling light as air, with that ‘let out of school early’ feeling.
Suddenly, a week of radiation and five years of medicine seem like nothing 😊 So I wanted to share that amazing news.
My mum took me to Craggy Range winery for lunch the next day to celebrate (Paul was so sad he was working that day), and we hosted English relatives for dinner on Friday night.
I’ve had a big week! The first and most exciting thing is that I found out I am NOT having chemotherapy.
When Paul and I met with the oncology doctor last Tuesday, she put all my information into a fancy online calculator called ‘Predict’, specifically for breast cancer.
It shows the percentage likelihood someone will still be alive after 15 years (the longest the calculator could calculate) and then you could toggle treatments on and off to see the difference each made.
I’m still having radiation and also doing hormone therapy (a medicine called Letrozole – for five years!) but these both have ‘minimal’ side effects apparently.
Of course we all know about how horrible chemotherapy is, even if it’s just anecdotally or even from the movies.
Well, apparently I would only receive a 1% better benefit from having chemo, and because it’s so hard on the body, they only strongly recommend it when there is a 5% or more benefit.
The doctor almost seemed giddy when she was showing me my results that she already knew. I wondered why she was so peppy when we came into her office!
Of course no-one knows what the future will bring, but for now, I’m a happy person. I walked out of there feeling light as air, with that ‘let out of school early’ feeling.
Suddenly, a week of radiation and five years of medicine seem like nothing 😊 So I wanted to share that amazing news.
My mum took me to Craggy Range winery for lunch the next day to celebrate (Paul was so sad he was working that day), and we hosted English relatives for dinner on Friday night.
They are only here until next week, so we couldn’t put it off until I could do more to help, so Paul did EVERYTHING. All the cooking, cleaning, and dishes. He is a good cook too ❤️
And my mum and aunty brought dessert.
I set the table and took a nap, that’s all! 😉
Our guests brought me these pretty flowers and fancy chocolate.
And my mum and aunty brought dessert.
I set the table and took a nap, that’s all! 😉
Our guests brought me these pretty flowers and fancy chocolate.
And just look what a kind, thoughtful reader sent me - a gift voucher for Fortnum & Mason to order teas to sip on as I recuperate.
They arrived this week. I am so humbled at this generous gift, thank you Ann! It’s all been delicious so far 😊
I hope you all had a lovely week too!
xx Fiona
xx Fiona
:D
ReplyDeleteThat computer program you & your dr. worked with sounds amazing. So happy you can bypass the chemo. May your recovery be swift and complete.
ReplyDeleteGreat news. Now go an enjoy life.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Fiona, what great news!! I'm so happy for you! :)
ReplyDeleteThat is great news Fiona! You're on your way to great health again :)
ReplyDeleteBest news! Very happy for you Fiona.
ReplyDeleteGreat news. Time to book a trip to Paris? I think you deserve it.
ReplyDeleteAmazing news! X
ReplyDeleteWonderful news! Thank you for sharing. Take care Fiona
ReplyDeleteGreat news! I am so happy for you. It was 2 years ago today that I started Letrozole and the two biggest side effects I’ve had are joint pain and weight gain. I initially put on 20 pounds but have been able to lose 10 of them with consistent exercise and healthy eating. After finishing radiation I had fatigue for quite some time but it eventually goes away. Just listen to your body. You’ve got this!
ReplyDeleteAs a breast cancer survivor, I am happy for you that yours was caught so early that you don't need chemo. I went through that, plus surgery, radiation, and five years of oral medication. But it saved my life and I am grateful for each day. You have a sunny outlook and a good attitude -- that is another form of medicine. I wish you the best.💙
ReplyDelete