Saw the oncologist today. The CT shows minor progression on my rib. What? Didn’t know I had it on my ribs too. Oddly, it’s in the same area that I pulled a muscle a few months ago. It also shows that the tumor on my pelvis has changed it’s shape but not it’s size. My tumor markers are at an all time high of 179. They were only 165 when I started this mess 3 years ago.

This means that the Ibrance/Letrozole combination is struggling to work. The cancer is winning at this point. The Dr says “you have been on it for 3 years…” which is a good thing since the average is 24ish months. Now we need to find something else that will work. He doesn’t want to put me on chemo yet because the tumors are still small and aren’t growing exponentially. Also sounds like chemo may be his last offering when all else fails. He is sending me for more bloodwork to check for the PIK3CA mutation. About 40% of breast cancer patients have it. If I do, then there’s another hormone treatment he wants to try on me. Apparently it’s “normally very expensive” but they’re offering it up for cheaper. Kinda like a limited time offer…LOL He’s also thinking of putting me back on Tamoxifen.

I don’t know what his backup plan is if I don’t have the mutation, but I trust him.

This is all so scary…

The only good thing about going to the hospital for tests and scans during a pandemic is that there’s no waiting. I was 20 minutes early for my scan, the needle went in fine, and I was done before my appointment was supposed to start.

The Zoloft definitely helped. My stomach wasn’t roiling and my hands weren’t shaking like they did before. I still babbled once I was on the table, but I didn’t feel the “flight or fight” kick in.

Having the scan reminds me that I have an upcoming appointment with my oncologist and knowing that the Ibrance/Letrozole combination isn’t working like it’s supposed to anymore is unsettling to say the least. No clue as to what the conversation will be like and no matter how much research I do, I have no idea what my next steps will be. No way to try and plan the scenarios. I’m going to be going into this appointment blind. For someone who likes, sometimes needs, to plan out every outcome, this is really freaking me out.