PET Scan Update
In support of
Amber, Chris & Zoey Rojek
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Amber, Chris & Zoey Rojek
First things first - I love you all. If you are reading this, it means we have a connection. A moment or many moments in my life that are memories that matter. Thank you for being a part of my time in the world.
Now for the update. I had my PET scan this week. I have yet to discuss this fully with my Oncologist (this will be done Tuesday). However, based on the results and discussions we've had prior, I am pretty sure I'll be switching from Kadcyla to Enhertu.
The PET showed that my internal mammary nodes resolved, which is great. This means that the Kadcyla (which was targeting HER2 cells) worked. However, a new spot shows in my left chest close to the skin. This is a brand new spot and is likely hormone driven and not HER2. Because I have heterogenous disease (meaning multiple driving factors - hormone and HER2) it's difficult to treat because you have to target one type then switch and target the other. While targeting one, the other type has a chance to grow.
So, the next line of treatment we had discussed (Enhertu) does a similar thing as Kadcyla - delivers a payload to HER2 cells but it also effects surrounding cells which means it targets hormone positive cancer cells by proxy. It's shown great results (especially for people in my situation). I feel very good about Enhertu and was actually asking for it prior to Kadcyla. They pushed for me to continue Kadcyla for more cycles and I'm happy they did because it does show it worked on those IM nodes. Enhertu does have some downsides - it's stronger and effects healthy cells more than Kadcyla. I'll have more side effects and I'll lose my hair again (just when it started growing back).
The PET scan also picked up some nodes in my neck and a thyroid mass (I've had for a while) shows growth. That thyroid mass was biopsied about 2 years ago and came back negative for cancer. However, with the growth, I'll likely need another biopsy to make sure it's still benign. I'm staying positive about this and I'm sure this area is still benign and okay.
I'll be getting scans every 3 months and while I have to wait for insurance approval before we start the new chemo treatment, I will likely have 3-4 treatments in before the next scan. So likely early November we'll know if Enhertu is working based on the new chest area.
After looking at Zoey's school schedule, the only break I could see that would make sense this year for a CT trip would be October. I don't believe this will be enough time to plan for. So.... Unless things start going downhill, I'm guessing my trip will be sometime early 2026. I'll still keep everyone updated on that. It's very important to have a 'Celebration of Life Party' with everyone. I want to go into more detail about what that looks like, but that'll have to be for another update.
Okay, so now the fun stuff. We got all the cancer stuff out of the way. We got to meet Zoey's new teacher and I joined the Parent Teacher Organization. Her school is following a program that encourages leadership based on this book 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' that they revamped for kids. Students are encouraged to take on leadership roles within the school, applying the 7 Habits in their daily interactions. The program focuses on developing the whole child, including social, emotional, and academic skills. If you are interested in learning more, there is a book talking about how it's been implemented into schools and the results called 'Leader in Me'. https://www.leaderinme.com/
So, you likely know how much this excites me. Just like my job at "How to Manage a Law Firm" encourages self improvement (when hired I got a welcome gift of BOOKS)!!! Now, as if by some crazy magic of the universe, Zoey is attending a school that is encouraging independence and leadership instead of focusing on test scores. I couldn't have asked for anything better. It's a reminder that while life brings hardship... There is always a balance. It's up to us to see those wonderful gifts and appreciate them.
I'm contemplating writing a book. It's natural for humans to be curious about death and I've been reading a lot of memoirs and books about death/mortality. I believe it's something that inspires and people avoid thinking about their own mortality when we really should face it head on. There is a huge benefit of doing so - not only does life feel more precious but it's an acute feeling that brings upon motivation for change, growth and embracing the things we take for granted. I would like to share with the world what I am doing with my time knowing it's limited. Maybe it can inspire others. You don't have to know you are dying to experience this. I believe it's a mindset issue that can be tapped into at any point in our journey.
Again, thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings. If you got through this whole thing... I appreciate it.
Love,
Amber
Now for the update. I had my PET scan this week. I have yet to discuss this fully with my Oncologist (this will be done Tuesday). However, based on the results and discussions we've had prior, I am pretty sure I'll be switching from Kadcyla to Enhertu.
The PET showed that my internal mammary nodes resolved, which is great. This means that the Kadcyla (which was targeting HER2 cells) worked. However, a new spot shows in my left chest close to the skin. This is a brand new spot and is likely hormone driven and not HER2. Because I have heterogenous disease (meaning multiple driving factors - hormone and HER2) it's difficult to treat because you have to target one type then switch and target the other. While targeting one, the other type has a chance to grow.
So, the next line of treatment we had discussed (Enhertu) does a similar thing as Kadcyla - delivers a payload to HER2 cells but it also effects surrounding cells which means it targets hormone positive cancer cells by proxy. It's shown great results (especially for people in my situation). I feel very good about Enhertu and was actually asking for it prior to Kadcyla. They pushed for me to continue Kadcyla for more cycles and I'm happy they did because it does show it worked on those IM nodes. Enhertu does have some downsides - it's stronger and effects healthy cells more than Kadcyla. I'll have more side effects and I'll lose my hair again (just when it started growing back).
The PET scan also picked up some nodes in my neck and a thyroid mass (I've had for a while) shows growth. That thyroid mass was biopsied about 2 years ago and came back negative for cancer. However, with the growth, I'll likely need another biopsy to make sure it's still benign. I'm staying positive about this and I'm sure this area is still benign and okay.
I'll be getting scans every 3 months and while I have to wait for insurance approval before we start the new chemo treatment, I will likely have 3-4 treatments in before the next scan. So likely early November we'll know if Enhertu is working based on the new chest area.
After looking at Zoey's school schedule, the only break I could see that would make sense this year for a CT trip would be October. I don't believe this will be enough time to plan for. So.... Unless things start going downhill, I'm guessing my trip will be sometime early 2026. I'll still keep everyone updated on that. It's very important to have a 'Celebration of Life Party' with everyone. I want to go into more detail about what that looks like, but that'll have to be for another update.
Okay, so now the fun stuff. We got all the cancer stuff out of the way. We got to meet Zoey's new teacher and I joined the Parent Teacher Organization. Her school is following a program that encourages leadership based on this book 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' that they revamped for kids. Students are encouraged to take on leadership roles within the school, applying the 7 Habits in their daily interactions. The program focuses on developing the whole child, including social, emotional, and academic skills. If you are interested in learning more, there is a book talking about how it's been implemented into schools and the results called 'Leader in Me'. https://www.leaderinme.com/
So, you likely know how much this excites me. Just like my job at "How to Manage a Law Firm" encourages self improvement (when hired I got a welcome gift of BOOKS)!!! Now, as if by some crazy magic of the universe, Zoey is attending a school that is encouraging independence and leadership instead of focusing on test scores. I couldn't have asked for anything better. It's a reminder that while life brings hardship... There is always a balance. It's up to us to see those wonderful gifts and appreciate them.
I'm contemplating writing a book. It's natural for humans to be curious about death and I've been reading a lot of memoirs and books about death/mortality. I believe it's something that inspires and people avoid thinking about their own mortality when we really should face it head on. There is a huge benefit of doing so - not only does life feel more precious but it's an acute feeling that brings upon motivation for change, growth and embracing the things we take for granted. I would like to share with the world what I am doing with my time knowing it's limited. Maybe it can inspire others. You don't have to know you are dying to experience this. I believe it's a mindset issue that can be tapped into at any point in our journey.
Again, thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings. If you got through this whole thing... I appreciate it.
Love,
Amber
Comments
Natalie Castro over 1 year ago