Update with Dr. Weaver

Just so everyone is aware, Christina Andrade is most likely VERY happy that I am using an actual blogging website. Although I was not planning on posting my feelings, pictures, daily thoughts, etc, it is starting to intrigue me a little bit. We'll see.

But onto the real reason I am posting.

I had my appointment this morning with Dr. Weaver (neuro-oncologist) at Albany Med. Click here and you can check her resume out yourself! She was pretty freaking awesome!!

We went over the next 6-12 months of my life regarding the treatments, including both radiation and chemotherapy. We still don't have a start date which EVERYONE keeps asking so I PROMISE I will post it on here as soon as I find out. I'm just as anxious as everyone else, trust me, lol.

Some good news about treatments in Albany is that the costs of traveling back and forth from Albany and/or Hudson to Boston or to Pittsfield, MA, getting hotel rooms for my family, meals for my family, gas, other travel expenses, etc. but more importantly, being able to stay close to home and have all the support that I need close by!

Once we have a start date it will go like this:

1. Radiation to the spot where the tumor was (left frontal lobe so my left forehead and then back behind my hairline in a spot on that same side) for approximately 5 minutes per day, Monday through Friday for 6 weeks. The machine you lay on and go in is FAR FROM comfortable. I really encourage people to google it.
2. During these 6 weeks, I will also be taking a low dose of Temodar (the oral chemotherapy pill).
3. Then, I will have a 4 week break!
4. Next, I will be put back on the Temodar at a higher dose for 5 consecutive days on and then 23 consecutive days off. This will last for at least 6 months but may extend depending on how things are going.

During these steps, 1-4, I will also be meeting with Dr. Weaver every 1-2 weeks. I am also going to have bloodwork done every couple weeks (more or less depending on results and everything) and have MRI's or PET scans every couple weeks. She said I shouldn't have any problem seeing or talking to her or Dr. Chandra or any other medical professionals as I will be visiting the hospital so often. Good and bad news all at once.

She informed me of all my medications I will be on in addition to the Temodar, if not already, like Keppra (anti-seizure), Decadron (steroids), some low dose Ativan (anxiety), some anti-biotics, anti-nausea medicine and probably some other fun stuff. All of these things should be okay but obviously there are side effects and everyone reacts to everything differently.

I also found out the approximate cost of Temodar without insurance. It can add up to around $20k more or less per year. Just a little FYI, anyone interested in getting into the field.

What else? She said my MRI from last week looked good and it doesn't look like anything has grown or enhanced since my MRI right after surgery. Positive note!

Now onto the really fun stuff - SIDE EFFECTS!

• As with all radiation treatments, fatigue and weakness are the most common side effects. Apparently it will not kick in immediately but each week, it will build and get worse and worse. She did seem fairly positive that I should be able to take a nap on the really tiring days and should feel rejuvenated for the rest of the day. If not, that means something more serious is wrong.
• Definite hair loss in the spot being radiated on and hair loss/thinning in all the other areas where the radiation is coming at me, which is all over kind of from different angles and stuff.
• Definite skin irritation, redness, burning, etc. on the spot being radiated on.
• Overall hair loss from the Temodar, as I'm sure you were all already aware will depend. Already have purchased a wig, pro-active approach!
• Nausea from the Temodar is very common but that is why they prescribe the anti-nausea medicine with it to try and prevent it altogether.
• Blood clots are fairly common (30-40% of patients will get them) and I will have to just be aware of the symptoms and get it checked out and put on yet another medication to take care of that.
• Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), in english, a rare pneumonia, which is why I will be on preventative anti-biotics.

She said I can probably go back to work if I want to, which I desperately do, not kidding! I have been going stir crazy here now that I'm feeling better after the surgery. So, I am hoping to go back to work on August 26th, part-time, see how it goes kind of thing. Thank you UHY for letting me do that. Also a big thanks to them for donating PTO to me and other support in ways of gifts, flowers, candy, e-mails, etc. Love them!

So I can drive, using my best judgment obviously. I think I am mature/smart enough to make a decision whether I feel well enough to drive or not. I know I have plenty of peeps willing to help me out! Also said I can "go back" to working out but need someone to monitor me like expect me back at certain time and if I am not, to worry. We'll see how that all works out!

So really, I just need to be careful in the radiation spot with the sun and beauty products, etc. They actually told me that I can only wash my hair twice a week. I might as well get that out there now before peopler start whispering about my oily-do behind my back! Lol. Also, my forehead rash won't be too cute.

FYI - I am currently not able to drink alcohol and I am not eating sugar. I'm not sure why everyone wouldn't want this life. Joke, obviously but just letting everyone know.

I'm sorry this is SO long. I am just trying to not leave anything out.

Side note on the Race for Hope that Alyssa set up on Facebook. I was going back and forth on signing up because I wasn't sure if I would even be able to do it. After today, I am leaning towards doing it but please KEEP IN MIND that some of my gals and fam are in the process of setting up an actual fundraiser night sometime in early November in Albany. We are hoping for the 8th but will keep everyone updated. We want it to be a fun, classy event where everyone can get together and support my family and me. I just want everyone reading this to know that if you are unable to travel to Albany for multiple weekends, that I would MUCH RATHER you be there for the fundraiser event. More info to come.

Unfortunately, my best girl +Laura Konderwich will already be in AMAZING Thailand teaching the little children but I know she will be there in spirit. And we can skype that night ;-)

Also, thank you everyone who posted on the Caring Bridge site. Those were all really sweet and thoughtful!

I hope I didn't forget anything. Any questions can start coming directly to me as well. I'm starting to feel KIND OF bad for my family, John, Alyssa, Laura and all of the other people who are getting non-stop texts. My phone works now and I am fully capable of responding :-) If you don't get a response, don't worry. I'm just "busy."

Love you all.
<3 Erica