Carol's Cancer Battle Plan
Me and God, we have a plan. I made a trip to Cancer Treatment Centers of America--Zion, IL campus this week with my dear mother. After a post-surgical checkup, I was ready to hear all the news about my pathology report and the recommendations of my medical oncologist, breast surgeon and radiology oncologist. The tumor is more aggressive than any of us previously thought, so we need to be proactive. Thus, we have made a new plan, God and I. Next Monday, August 20, I will have a radical mastectomy to my right breast at CTCA. After a week's recovery, I will return for my first round of chemo (taxotere and cytoxen), followed by a shot of Neulasta, to prevent infection. The two chemo drugs are a new combo targeted just for breast cancer patients. Much milder to the system than the standard, heavy chemo drugs, but still completely effective. I'm still debating about whether to get a Bard Power Port during the mastectomy or use a PICC line. I will fly in to CTCA every three we...