Good news on two fronts! I got the results back from my biopsy. The cancer is exactly the same as the past two times. I will start taking Ibrance and a hormone treatment. I will take the Ibrance for 21 days followed by 7 days off. The oncologist said this would go on for six months. She says I should be in remission by then. I will take the hormone treatment for the rest of my life. The side effects are much less extreme than the IV chemo. The biggest issue is low blood cell counts. They will monitor me closely for this.
I am a bit concerned over the possible cost. Without insurance, 21 pills of Ibrance costs $13,200. Crazy! I have both medicare and a supplement plan, so I'm hoping the copay isn't insane. There are plans to help if needed. I just hope I don't have to go that route. I am waiting for the call from the specialty pharmacy. Hope to start treatment by the second week of October.
The other good news is about Kendall. As you know, we've been tossed back and forth between doctors. First, they thought it was fibromyalgia. When she started having tremors, the rheumatologist tossed out fibromyalgia. The rheumatologist said it definitely wasn't lupus and sent us to a neurologist to test for MS. The neurologist ruled out MS and told us to see another rheumatologist. The new rheumatologist ran every test known to medical science. Guess what! It's lupus! The other rheumatologist insisted it wasn't lupus based on one test. Crazy! Anyway, the doctor is doing additional blood work, but Kendall will begin treatment for lupus the middle of November.
Needless to say, my faith in the medical world is not great, but I am really hoping the treatment gives Kendall some relief. It's about time she caught a break.
So, all in all, things are going better than expected for us. To celebrate, Kendall and I are going to
MNSSHP tonight! Boo to You!!!