I Love My Oncologist!

I met Dr. Joyce O'Shaughnessy, Medical Oncologist at Baylor, last Friday. There is just something about her--she is strong, fiesty, and caring. She validated my questions. She is in a research office 3 times a week, and sees patients twice weekly. I feel very fortunate to be assigned to her.

Dr. O'Shaughnessy said my cancer is very straight forward, and so is its treatment. I am grateful that we are not facing 3 possible treatments and weighing the pro's and con's of each one!! In my case, we know what to do, and we will do it.

This is what she explained:

No treatment: chance of recurrance = 30-35%

4 treatments of AC (Adriamyacin/Cytoxin) every two weeks: recurrance rate = 18-20%

4 treatments of Taxol: recurrance rate = 9%

Add low fat diet (35 grams) and 30 minutes walking per day: recurrance rate = 5%

My treatments will begin on May 8th, and be every two weeks. That takes me through the summer. Radiation begins a couple weeks after the treatments are completed. Because of my family history, Dr. O'Shaughnessy is going to do some gene testing. If that comes back positive, then I would forego radiation and do further surgery, likely a double masectomy/reconstruction and removal of the ovaries.

Regarding hairless: it is a given. My level of o.k.-ness varies, but overall, I am in good humor.