Practical Update: Treatment Plan and Progress

And now for a more practical update for those following along.

Erin’s current TCHP treatment has four rounds still to be completed.

TC is the traditional chemotherapy you think of — the kind associated with hair loss, fatigue, and other side effects.

HP is specific to her HER2+ cancer, and this treatment will continue every three weeks for a year.

Upcoming TCHP Treatment Dates

• November 17th
• December 8th
• December 29th
• January 19th

Surgery is recommended 3–4 weeks after the final TCHP treatment.

The oncologist checks how the cancer is responding before each new round of treatment, and so far, it’s moving in the right direction — down to about half its original size after the first treatment.

Key Upcoming Appointments

• December 2nd: Progress MRI — official measurement and results of current treatment. Our hope: no trace, not even scar tissue.
• February 9th–20th: Surgery window (not yet scheduled).

It’s at surgery where they can confirm the goal of pCR (pathological complete response), meaning the chemo got rid of all the cancer and check for any lymph node involvement — whether it spread to nearby areas.

Current Side Effects

Not as bad as we had expected (or she’s tougher than most).

Mostly body aches and flu-like symptoms the weekend after chemo, and a few other minor side effects — but nothing stopping daily life or her from being supermom.

Our Hopes & Prayers

• Complete pCR at surgery.
• No hair loss (so far so good!).
• To schedule a skilled and specialized surgeon.