Visit with Dr. Parker

Yesterday, Felicitas had an appointment with her oncologist, Dr. Parker and received some more great news! Her tumor, which originally measured 8cm x 8cm, has shrunk even more to about 5 x 5 cm in size and feels much less dense. Her left axillary lymph node, in her armpit, has also reduced in size from 3.5 cm to 1.5 cm. The biopsy and MRI she'll have done next week will provide more precise measurements, but the Rayrays are feeling encouraged since the tumor is continuing to shrink after only two treatments.

Dr. Barbara Parker

Dr. Parker was surprised that Felicitas still has a full head of hair! Since she's receiving a lower dose of the Taxol every week, the process is taking a little longer than normal. But over the next few weeks, she will begin to lose her hair. She was given a prescription for a wig, so she'll get to go "hair shopping" soon.

Results from her blood draw showed that she has Neutropenia, a common side effect of chemotherapy that causes her white blood cell count to be low. She can continue with chemo, but it does mean she is more susceptible to infection. So the doctors advised her to be really careful and try to limit her outings in crowded places where she could be exposed to germs. To help raise her count, she'll now begin getting injections of Neupogen.

Since Felicitas has been feeling well and hasn't lost her hair, she was joking that she should be the "poster child" for the I-SPY 2 trial. Well, yesterday she got her wish! Dr. Parker mentioned that they were looking for a patient participating in the trial to be interviewed on the news, and possibly create informational videos on YouTube. Of course, this is right up Felicitas' alley and she agreed. So she'll be our own little celebrity!