Breathe in, and hold.....while I stab you with a long needle

Here is a very recent photo of me, my peach fuzz is so soft :)

I had forgotten to tell you something from my last appointment. Although I am being given a lower dose of tarceva now in hope that I don't have eye flare ups again and other issues that might be a result of the med, my oncologist, Dr.T, has given me another option. There is a recent new oral chemo that I may be able to change over to. But nothing is ever as easy as that. You may remember long ag that I was tested for a gene that would have allowed me to take the first oral chemo drug available. I was not a match. I had to go through treatment with IV chemo instead. This is the same thing, my tumors must have a specific gene in order to allow me to take it. Why the possible change? Well, my tumors are growing slightly and the tarceva may be wearing out it's usefulness. The first gene testing was done with the original lung biopsy sample done way back in 2009. That biopsy was originally done to determine whether my cancer was benign or malignant, but there was enough to test for the gene as well for the first chemo drug. Now I have to have a new biopsy done so they can take a new sample and test it to see if I am a candidate for this new oral chemo. I don't know the name of it, she may have told me, but I've forgotten. This procedure will take place on Thursday. The first biopsy scared the bejeepers out of me, it feels like your lung collapses and for a few split seconds I feel like I can't breathe. If you are claustophobic like I am, you will understand the scariness. Hopefully it will go off without a hitch. This how they will do mine, through the ribs, through my back, I will be face down.