ever feel like you're stuck in a time loop?

I have doctor appointments EVERY day of the week...sometimes, I have TWO per day (or more)!  I'm so tired of the constant 'doctoring' -- I know it is for my own good and to get and stay healthy, but a girl can get pretty tired and cranky when all she does is sit and wait all day for doctors.  :-\

I went to see Dr R (oncologist) last week (3/25/14) and discussed my concerns regarding my most recent appointment with my gyno**.  He expressed some of the same concerns that I did (i.e., increased risk for uterine cancer, can't carry a child without HRT and I can't have HRT, etc).  He urged me to get a second opinion if I was concerned about the decision and the surgery.  I also asked about my PET scan.  Call me crazy, but I started to wonder if my puking and gown taping was added to the overall report.  I worried that my Dr had no idea that any of that had happened.  He said it was indeed noted in the report (the puking) but that he was confident in the results.  They check for three key areas with former breast cancer patients (lungs, liver and bones) and none of those came back as positive for cancer...so, now I can finally (& fully) rejoice in this good news!  He also told me that the breast pain that I feel is a common complaint among breast cancer patients and survivors.  He didn't have any medical advice to offer on this subject (and he apologized for the lack thereof), but he acknowledged that it is a common complaint.  I was a bit worried that it could mean something else.  The last time I had pain, I had a lump the size of an egg incubating in the milk duct of my right breast (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma).  Thankfully, my scan...my mammogram...and my breast exam do NOT show any signs or symptoms of cancer!  My PET Scan DID show a curvature of my spin...and the Dr pointed it out in the report, as well as during my exam.  I also asked about my CEA (bloodwork drawn 1/28; results rec'd 1/31).  Dr R said that it is typically done after a patient completes chemo and radiation.  It is another tool in monitoring a patient, used in conjunction (of course) with the PET scan.  I asked about the scale going from 0 - 40 and what it meant that mine is 14.6; he said that anywhere from 0 to 40 is considered 'normal' and I shouldn't worry that mine is 14.6.  He also told me that he is proud of me and how I made it through everything and still managed to keep a smile on my face and be pleasant to the staff.   I asked if my hair would start growing any faster (seriously, I feel like it hasn't grown much at all since it 'filled in').  He said that it would not, that it would definitely be different hair growth patterns than before cancer treatments.  He then commented on how full my hair looked overall and asked what I did because he has patients that have bald spots on their heads.  I told him that I kept shaving it until it was no longer patchy (there was a time when it first started to grow back that I still had some awful bald patches).  He was very intrigued by this idea.  My next follow up is July.  {although, I will be speaking to him and his nurse before that -- I am to check in after my surgery}

Speaking of my mammogram, I went on St. Patrick's Day (3/17/14) to have my shamrocks squeezed.  After the images were taken, I waited to see Dr V (the same Dr that diagnosed me).  I walk in to the room and she is looking at the 'wall of monitors' and reviewing my images.  My already nervous stomach dropped when I saw an image of a tumor on the screen.  I must have made a noise at that point, because she turned around just as the nurse who had escorted me in to the room stepped out.  She saw my face and said "oh no!  this is NOT your current scan -- see!?  this is LAST year....this is THIS year...I have them side by side to compare the images".....I felt the relief flood my body.  I asked her about the breast pain and discomfort that I have...she said she didn't know why I would have that, nothing on my scans showed that there was any physical reason for it.  I asked if it could be my body adjusting to scar tissue...she said "perhaps...".

** = We discussed whether or not my upcoming surgery would be full or partial hysterectomy.  I indicated a strong desire for a full hysterectomy and she gave me several reasons not to go that route.  I am NOT confident in the final decision as I feel like she wasn't really listening to me.

I go to see my PCP this week (Wednesday, 4/2/14) for 'pre-surgery' paperwork - I need to be cleared for the surgery.  I also need to talk to her about my concerns and see what she (professionally) recommends that I do.

I have PT (left knee) and OT (right arm) twice this week...as long as my GERD doesn't wreak havoc again this week!  

I also have appointments with the ortho doc (follow up on left knee, consult on right ankle) AND the gastroenterologist (for GERD issues).

Long story short...I had a tooth extracted on March 19th.  The dentist was FANTASTIC!  However, he prescribed clindamycin to ward off any infections and naproxen for any pain.  Thus began the worst GERD symptoms that I have experienced to date.  I had intense heartburn and spasms and burning particularly when I swallowed (even air/saliva).  My only 2 med changes recently were clindamycin and naproxen (had started just a week or so before all of this, as it was prescribed for arthritis in my knee).  I was also (wet) burping up acid AND throwing up stomach acid.  I couldn't eat or drink much without an upset stomach and pain from swallowing.  *ugh*  I hope that the gastro doc can help!  I also hope that the ortho doc has another idea for pain management, besides naproxen.

I also have Herceptin (again) this Friday.  Last Friday, I asked about my MUGA results (done 3/24/14).  Nurse V looked them up and had Dr R review them.  She came back and told me that my ejection fractions were at 48% but that Dr R reviewed the results and was comfortable continuing my Herceptin.  My last MUGA (1/29/14) had shown EF at 51% (if I am remembering correctly).  This one is 48% which is slightly below 'normal' range.  I don't like that my EF keeps going up and down.  And apparently (at least in the recent past), my MO and Cardiologist didn't like it either.  The last time I dipped below 50% they put the Herceptin on hold.  Not entirely sure why we're not going in to a holding pattern this time, but I do plan to find out! :)

I went to see the neurosurgeon on 3/21/14 as a follow up regarding a cystic lesion found in my brain during an initial MRI (at the beginning of my diagnosis/treatment last year).  Dr. B reviewed my latest MRI (done 3/10/14) and said that there does not seem to be any significant changes.  I am to repeat the MRI in approximately 1 year, if still no changes, then there is nothing to worry about.