During Labor Day weekend, Ivy and Michele flew from the U.S. to visit us in Seoul. The sweet few days were filled with different food adventures and laughter (some of our weekend activities and pics can be found on Siang’s post). They brought us many goodies as well as gifts from others in Seattle. They also helped Siang clean our apartment. I’m so thankful for their friendship and love, for taking such a long flight here just to see us. I feel privileged to have a great group of friends and family sending me love, hugs, support, prayers and positive thoughts from afar. I’m truly blessed.

Per the recommendation of the radiation oncologist, I received another 5 sessions of radiation therapy from Sep 6-12 to shrink the lesions in my C7 and T1 spine (near my neck). This should further reduce pain and help with the numbness and tingling I occasionally feel in my hands. Given the target location of the radiation, it was imperative that I stayed completely still during each treatment. So I was fitted with a custom-made immobilization device. The device was molded to cover my head to mid-torso, and was used to pin me down to the platform of the radiation therapy machine while I was being zapped. It was not the most comfortable experience. I felt like I was a dangerous mental health patient in a straitjacket. Thankfully each session was only about 5 minutes, so it wasn’t too hard to endure.

After I finished the last radiation session, I asked to take the mobilization device home as memento. As you can see from the pics, we had some fun with this thing. The mold looked a little freaky, should make a good Halloween costume.

In mid-September, I also got the fulvestrant booster shots. When I saw I got the same nurse as last time, I felt immediately at ease. She was good.

We got word from the hospital that health insurance should cover the third drug (Ibrance). Since Ibrance just got approved in S. Korea end of this August, the drugs are not yet in circulation within the country. The hospital had placed a special expedited wholesale order from Pfizer directly, and the order should arrive late October. There is a high chance I would become neutropenic with Ibrance, so I actually welcome the delay.

So far, I don’t feel any significant side effect from the hormone treatment other than the occasional menopausal hot flashes. I also didn’t feel the same level of fatigue from the last round of radiation because the treatment area was a lot smaller. I’m enjoying this period of “normalcy” which allows me to return to work full time last Monday. We have also planned a trip to Taiwan in mid-October to see my parents and brother, and to activate my Taiwanese National Health Insurance as a backup for future.

I’m scheduled to have blood draw, chest x-ray, meeting with neurosurgeon, meeting with oncologist, and receive the three hormone treatment injections this Thursday.  It’s gonna be a long day.  Hopefully everything will go smoothly.