Adding Another Layer to My Armor – 11/11/21

Yesterday we had a check-up appointment with Dr. Bisi, my Oncologist, at Siteman. With the changes in my medications after we saw her in August, she wanted to do a 3-month follow-up vs. a 6 month, so we headed in for lab work and a check-up. All my labs checked out great! A few were just below the “low/normal” range but nothing was alarming. Overall, Dr. Bisi said things were “unremarkable,” which is good to hear at a check-up appointment. However, I still have bone & joint pain on my new medication, which we hoped would subside with the change. Dr. Bisi feels it is not from my medications but is more from the lack of Estrogen in my body causing osteoarthritis and osteopenia which was found during my baseline bone scan that was done in August. She has recommended that I start on Zometa infusions every 6 months for 3 (possibly 5) years.

I have not had a recurrence, but Zometa has been found to help prevent recurrence in studies. When cancer cells spread to the bone, they can secrete substances that can cause cells in the bone called osteoclasts to dissolve or “eat away” a portion of the bone. These weaken the bone and can lead to complications, including bone pain, fractures, and increased calcium levels in the blood. Zometa or Zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate, a type of medication used to slow down the osteoclast’s effects on the bone. In doing this, it can help slow down or prevent the complications of bone deterioration.

I look at Zometa the same way I have looked at all the other medications I have been put on. It’s another added layer of protection in my armor to fight against any rogue cancer cells that may be lurking in my body. It may not be pleasant or fun to do but I'll do it anyway!

Dr. Bisi did warn us that the side effects from Zometa are like flu-like symptoms and can last 3-7 days but should get easier on me with each infusion. I was scheduled to have my first infusion tomorrow but because we are anticipating that I will have to deal with side effects (if anyone is going to have them it’s ME), I didn’t want it to interfere with Tim’s BIG Birthday on Monday, so I pushed my appointment to Tuesday. We will see Dr. Bisi again in 6 months for another check-up, labs, and my 2nd infusion all on the same day.

Not much else to report on. I am still healing from my revision surgery but can tell that things are getting better as time passes.