Had my fourth muga scan today

Had my fourth muga scan today - and quite astonished to read now that I was injected with a small amount of radioactive isotope before the scan. I dunno, maybe I am losing it. I know it takes place in the nuclear medicine section of the hospital, that it says "radioactive:everywhere as in the toilet there, plus this is the fourth one I have had and have done lots of reading up about it - but did I forget? Or was I too concerned with the score?
Part of what can be detected from a muga is the rate at which the heart emits.
Prior to my treatment for breast cancer, I was sent for a muga to get a base reading.Cannot remember exactly what I scored but it was in the 70s. After chemo (and radiation???), it went to 65 and after herceptin, to 60. Today it was 62 and the doctor there said all was looking good. No dilation - but not sure what that means....
This is why one has a muga before and after breast cancer treatment
I am not certain if the 2 point difference means anything but am glad that it is moving up again.
The radiologist who did my mammogram and scan last week said if the damage was caused by the chemo, it is irreversible; if caused by herceptin, it will revert back to normal. So he said I should go up to 65, which was my score pre-herceptin but it didn't.
I see the oncologist next week so he will clarify matters.
Anyway, was not unhappy.
Learnt something about myself, well, The Yoga Man pointed it out and it's true. After a stressful situation, I eat. So my compulsive eating is post stress. Must have been hassled re the muga cos afterwards, ate and ate. First some Jerusalem dates (roasted dates, yummy) and then a frozen yoghurt and then a piece torn off from the gruyere cheese I bought to make a marrow and tomato gratin for dinner.
Well, what I really wanted to say is that I got chatting to a woman while waiting for the scan. She was there cos her husband was having a PET scan. He has prostrate cancer which has spread to the bones. Has had cancer for 11 years and is now on phase 3 of a trial, based in the US but tested in Switzerland, and sees the same oncologist as me. Also thinks he is fabulous! Part of the trial is that he has to have regular PET scans -- every three months. And although he looked pretty well to me, she said he was in hospital last week.
Impressed that we South Africans are eligible for such trials and that my oncologist is part of that. I know there is a research unit at the oncology centre and must say, I do know someone who went on a trial here with the same oncologist and is now very well.
Makes me wonder if anyone in South Africa was on the same trial Daria Maluta was on. Very possible. She died on January 22 from liver problems caused by the treatment which ironically did shrink her tumours. Opened Facebook and up popped the birthdays - it would have been her birthday today. Not 100% sure but think she would have turned 50. Or 49. And Facebook can be so sickening. Many of her "friends" have wished her "happy birthday - and many more", not knowing that she has died.

All fine!

Had my annual mammogram and ultrasound. You are cured, says doctor, it came quickly, it went quickly, the best kind, and there is no residual even of where it was, he said.
I feel great. But he did say muga scan is unlikely to go up much if it was caused by the A/C chemo. That scan is on monday but no cancer!!!!!!!!

a traumatic week

My arm has been giving me hassles. Well, when I saw The Lymph Lady two weeks ago, it was up. And I was shocked. But then it did not seem to go down. So I contacted her and got an extra appointment. And it was up again. And I was flying to Durban for the weekend. And although it's a one hour and 10 minutes flight, with my arm being up two weeks in a row (never happened before, she said I should wear a compression sleeve. I have been high risk for lymphedema since the week I finished radiation over a week ago but this was the worst it had been.
Well, I was devastated. Off to a hot place and I would have to wear long sleeves. Worst of all, it was my birthday over the weekend and I would spend it in a damn compression sleeve.
Well I have worn one now for five days. Plus she used kinesio tape on my arm and my upper back, a type of bandage which she said would act like a continual lymph massage drainage.
Well, my arm was damn sore this weekend. Each day started off fine but by about 9pm or later, I would be in agony, desperate to tear off the sleeve. I was in despair. Then by last night it felt better.
Today I saw The Lymph Lady. She measured both my arms and surprise surprise, my left arm, the one which she now calls "borderline lymphedema" (she used to call it "at high risk of lymphedema", was thinner than my right arm, except for the very top, which was the same measurement. Furthermore, my left arm was done everywhere except the very top.
It was also decided that I had some kind of infection (I told her I thought it was sinuses or something...Whatever it is, spent the weekend blowing my nose.)
Anyway, it has been decided that I will continue to wear the sleeve till I feel better, do no lymph drainage massage till I am better (she also declined to do it today), and do no gym till I feel better.
Yet now that it seems I won't need to wear this sleeve permanently, I feel jovial and in better spirits.
TEST RESULTS
Also, had tests today.Chest x-ray - fine. Abdominal and pelvic scan - fine. muga - mmmmmm, down again.It was in the 70s pre-treatment, down to 65 six months ago, and 60 today. The Lymph Lady advised no exercise - no yoga tonight,no gym tomorrow - until I see The Tango Man tomorrow.
Only he can determine the seriousness of lack of it of the muga scan but it does show that the herceptin has affected my heart. A rate of 60 is still within normal rate but I am uncertain as to whether the decline is normal or not.
The severe strain I have been under is gone; but still have the problem of getting blood test results tomorrow - tumour marker, liver function etc.....
Oh, planning to go out straight from work tomorrow so not sure when will post results.
Funny, been delaying writing this post for a week cos felt seriously depressed about it. Much more cheerful today since it seems I might not need to wear the sleeve permanently. Well,I have to do one day on, one day off when I get better, but somehow I feel cheered. I do not want to a compression sleeve permanently. It is a big deal for me.

this is a very important day for me

Had my final herceptin treatment today. And it wasn't too bad. Got a vein which worked after only one abortive attempt (veins are messed, always been bad and now post chemo which burns your veins it's even worse and, with the threat of lymphedema in my left hand, can only use my right hand).

Anyway.....had the day off work cos worked the late shift on Saturday so said I would come in early. So arrived at 12. Bought cakes - little ones - for the nurses and other staff at the oncology centre, but had thought of waiting for all my tests. But then decided it was worth celebrating every milestone. And finally reaching July 4 2010, the day of my 17th and last herceptin, the preventative treatment.

Now just have to pray that it worked, that, as The Yoga Man said today, "Let's hope it all becomes a distant memory".

On August 10, I am scheduled to have a chest and abdominal scan, a muga scan , which is done in nuclear medicine and tests the rate at which the heart emits and is being done to see if the herceptin has affected my heart. The other scans are to see if it has affected my lungs, and if it has affected my abdominal area, ie, if it has spread. And I need to have blood tests.

I am amazed to say that I thought I had not had an abdominal scan prior to starting treatment. Well, I had. The receptionist today showed me the results of my tests - everything was clear. I remember reading that but didn't register that it was the abdominal area. That was on January 21 2009.

Anyway, then on August 11 I see The Tango Man. At 14.45pm. Then, although I will have opened all the envelopes to read the results, I will find out if I am ok.

PS: The nurses said one client was so excited to have finished her herceptin treatment that she sang the national anthem. I guess it is a prayer, the anthem, God Bless Africa.

1st mammogram post treatment

Feeling drained. Had two major scans and the stress was all-absorbing. Well, terrifying. Today, waiting for the doctor to come do the ultra-sound, post the mammogram was .. well, the minutes dragged as I wondered why he was taking so long to read the mammogram. Luckily all was well. Very luckily. The thought of having to start treatment all over again, which in my case would also have meant a masectomy, was just too much. So grateful. Then mistakenly threw my cellphone into the toilet at the oncology centre, dunno how that happened but clearly a hilarious and annoying part to a day filled with gratitude.
On Friday had a muga scan, which checked my heart in terms of the rate it emits. This included a scan of the heart. Luckily that too was all in order. Had the test cos all the treatment I have had - the A/C chemo, radiation and now herceptin, can affect the heart so before I even started treatment had a muga to set a base rate. That was 71. This time was 65. Not unexpected after a year in which I wasn't allowed to exercise for about five months (I did low energy exercises and yoga), followed by months in which I not only had to build up stamina but am now not allowed to do more than 15 minutes of moderate cardio.
Was pretty horrified today when the doctor said I cannot do more FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS! But I can go for a long walk, he said. Thought that would be cardio too.
Had herceptin today and was starting to feel funny tonight, so been popping panados.
Oh, The Tango Man, unlike his head nurse, said it is possible to feel bad on herceptin, that everyone responds differently.
Feeling depressed tonight. Think it's the aftermath of all the stress. Not depressed. Just not on top of things. Well, I am on top of things. Am so grateful. Really. Just think might get into bed and take it easy.

A little bit of extra puffiness

This is no big deal but saw The Lymph Lady today who pointed out that I am now slightly puffy in what The Yoga Man says is the armpit chest - essentially the side of the chest between the armpit and the boob. Not anxious just thought it was worth noting. Told her my fingers have been stiff again, very stiff, and my arm a little sore and The Lymph Lady said it should improve now that I am back at regular exercise.
You see, I go to this private gym and it closed a lot over the festive season. The biokineticist said she'd heard (from the bio interns) that I had been there a lot over the holiday period. Lol! Not a lot but did go and also exercised at home as well, at least once.
Find it frustrating when they are closed and it's a public holiday and I have so much free time and my hamstrings are tight from lack of exercise but really it's a great gym and have no intention of changing it.
Booked my muga scan today. (Btw, posting this from my phone and don't know how to change paragraphs.) Anyway, had a muga scan before I started chemo a year ago - feels like an eternity ago - as a base test. Essentially all the treatment I have had and am having - the chemo, radiation and Herceptin - can affect the heart and cos of the cumulative effect of all this, they need to monitor your heart. The muga scan measures the rate at which your heart emits and it is done at a nuclear medicine department, I had mine done at Morningside Clinic in Sandton. Well, I am hardly an athlete but was pretty fit when I had it last year, pre-treatment and all that and gyming for an hour and 25 minutes 4X a week. My rate was in the 70s. Wonder what it will be like now. Hope my heart is ok but the head nurse at the oncology centre said if my heart was affected, would feel tired. The bio says I would not know. Oy... I do find the exercises I do at gym quite strenuous. Not the cardio - only allowed to do 15 minutes cos of the heart threat and not allowed to get out of breath - but the rest. Went today, and loved it. Did 40 minutes. Good night. Tired now but night get up early to go to gym again tomorrow.