2nd Meeting with Dr. Wilks

Friday I met with Dr. Wilks to check in and do some follow-up. Since the pathology reports had not been completed yet we did not have much to discuss. Dr. Wilks did tell us that the Chemo would be entered into my body through a port. We discussed what this is and how it gets attached to my body. This will be another out patient surgery with Dr. Bradshaw to insert the port into the left side of my chest. I will get more detailed information after I meet with Dr. Bradshaw at my follow-up visit.

Dr. Wilks and I discussed the Tic-Tac-Toe medical study. After careful consideration I did sign to say that I would be in the study. None of the treatment is experimental, it is using standardized treatment for breast cancer but has added one element that has been used for other forms of cancer. The study is being conducted to see if the particular medicine has a similar positive affect for patients with breast cancer. I was able to ask questions about hormones, diet, side effects, hair loss, daily life.

I will say that Dr. Wilks is a breath of fresh air. The one thing that Dr. Wilks has told me is to not change my daily life. There will be days that I am slower and tired but I do not have to stop living because of cancer. I will still be able to go judge horse shows and ride and make beads and teach!!! Dr. Wilks said to have a diet high in fruits and veggies and low in red meat. This should not be too hard since I like veggies and I can eat fish and seafood which is always a favorite.

Dr. Wilks also ordered some other scans and blood work. These scans will help her with creating a treatment plan that is specific to my cancer. So before leaving I had more blood drawn; again true to form my veins went into hiding and it took the nurse a second try before finding a vein that would give up anything.

We left Dr. Wilks office and headed to the imaging center again. I had an order to have a scan that looked specifically at my left ventricle. This scan took about an hour and when I was done I was very aware that the A/C was working in this building. I was so cold that my teeth were chattering. Burrrr!

Before leaving Dr. Wilks office I was able to schedule two more scans; One will be Monday afternoon and the second will be on Thursday. I will add more Monday after that scan.