Treatment Cycle 9 - Day 2

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I completed Treatment 9 yesterday, and with that, I am officially halfway through treatment (neoadjuvant and adjuvant combined) - nine down, nine to go. I find recognizing these milestones very comforting, even if they're somewhat arbitrary.

Last cycle I experienced some skin irritation on my face, particularly my eyelids and forehead, even though I've been moisturizing like mad. It doesn't look too awful - at least when I'm made up - but at times it's been very uncomfortable. Dr. Hurvitz said that it's not unexpected given that Herceptin and Perjeta are blocking HER2. HER2 stands for Human Epidermal (as in epidermis, or skin) Growth Factor Receptor 2, and it's a protein involved in normal skin cell growth. Maddie told me to try taking Benadryl at night and Claritin in the morning to see if antihistamines can calm it down. She's also referring me to a dermatologist, who might have some other ideas. I hate to complain - since of course it's way better than having cancer - but since I have seven months more of this, it would be nice if I could find a way to manage it.

I also saw Dr. Trott yesterday for my last fill - 25 cc's on each side. We're going to schedule my exchange procedure for the end of April or beginning of May. It will be an out-patient procedure, at St. John's again since I was so happy with my experience there before. As I've said, I don't mind my tissue expanders, but it will be so great to be able to check off one more big thing off the list - and after that (fingers crossed), no more surgery!

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