This isn't something that I was excited to talk to Dr. Kahn about, as you can imagine. I had about 20 questions for Dr. Kahn and he was able to answer all of them with ease. The treatment plan is to shut down my ovaries for 5 years and take the hormone suppressant drug Tamofixen for 10 years. I am going to list out the most important questions cause that will be easier to explain and read.
1. My overall mood, hair, skin, nails, & hotflashes. - He stated that the medicine can be adjusted to help with my mood and how I feel overall. He said shutting them down for 5 years shouldn't effect my hair, skin, and nails but I could take a supplement. He also said I would experience hotflashes but that again the medicine can be adjusted to help with any side effects that I experience.
2. I am concerned about my bone density as I have a strong family history of osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. He said that they are going to monitor that by bone density tests.
3. I am concerned that I am going to gain weight. - He said that it will be important for me to have a healthy diet and exercise will become part of my regular routine and I will be able to keep it under control.
4. Part of Craig and I's life plans are to have children. Even if we are only blessed with one child I know that I do want to be a mother and I want to give Craig the gift of fatherhood. - Dr. Kahn explained that in 5 years when we wake up my ovaries we will be able to try for a child if I am doing well then we will discuss it when the time comes.
5. Obviously my number one concern is recurrence. I have had to endure things that I never thought I would have to endure. I do not want to go back to the days of chemo, I do not want to have to decide on radiation again, I do not want to leave behind my future children, my family or Craig. - Dr. Kahn stated that with the treatment plan that I have established and if I shut down my ovaries for 5 years, my chance of recurrence is less than 10%.
Although this journey is far from over, and I still have radiation and 2 surgeries to endure I think that we have been so very blessed with the possible outcomes. I am lucky. Yes, lucky. There are a lot of women that do not get my diagnosis. There is no cure for metastatic breast cancer except continuous chemo for the rest of your life, however long that may be. Yes this has taken a year of my life. Yes I have had to move my wedding 3 times. Yes I lost my hair, my femininity and my breasts - but I'm still lucky. Every night I get to tell my loved ones how much they mean to me. I get to enjoy birthdays, and holidays, and weekends. And that's something that I think you all should challenge yourself to do. Enjoy every moment.
Wherever you are, be all there.
XOXO,
Mary Ann
1. My overall mood, hair, skin, nails, & hotflashes. - He stated that the medicine can be adjusted to help with my mood and how I feel overall. He said shutting them down for 5 years shouldn't effect my hair, skin, and nails but I could take a supplement. He also said I would experience hotflashes but that again the medicine can be adjusted to help with any side effects that I experience.
2. I am concerned about my bone density as I have a strong family history of osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. He said that they are going to monitor that by bone density tests.
3. I am concerned that I am going to gain weight. - He said that it will be important for me to have a healthy diet and exercise will become part of my regular routine and I will be able to keep it under control.
4. Part of Craig and I's life plans are to have children. Even if we are only blessed with one child I know that I do want to be a mother and I want to give Craig the gift of fatherhood. - Dr. Kahn explained that in 5 years when we wake up my ovaries we will be able to try for a child if I am doing well then we will discuss it when the time comes.
5. Obviously my number one concern is recurrence. I have had to endure things that I never thought I would have to endure. I do not want to go back to the days of chemo, I do not want to have to decide on radiation again, I do not want to leave behind my future children, my family or Craig. - Dr. Kahn stated that with the treatment plan that I have established and if I shut down my ovaries for 5 years, my chance of recurrence is less than 10%.
Although this journey is far from over, and I still have radiation and 2 surgeries to endure I think that we have been so very blessed with the possible outcomes. I am lucky. Yes, lucky. There are a lot of women that do not get my diagnosis. There is no cure for metastatic breast cancer except continuous chemo for the rest of your life, however long that may be. Yes this has taken a year of my life. Yes I have had to move my wedding 3 times. Yes I lost my hair, my femininity and my breasts - but I'm still lucky. Every night I get to tell my loved ones how much they mean to me. I get to enjoy birthdays, and holidays, and weekends. And that's something that I think you all should challenge yourself to do. Enjoy every moment.
Wherever you are, be all there.
XOXO,
Mary Ann