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#2 of 6 chemo treatments, and so far so good!

Each chemo has its own personality. When i was first diagnosed, i did a lot of research into my cancer and the treatment. i based quite a bit of my expectations on the information i found from other patients and papers posted by well known medical sites and cancer fighting facilities. It has taken a third type of chemo to treat the same type of cancer, to realize that everyone, every drug, every time is different. Bodies react differently. i don’t know why i’m surprised!

In 2017, the first set of meds were strong acting, short time turn around (one set of infusions every week). The second set of 2017 was stronger acting, and the recovery time between each dose was longer (one set of infusions every other week). The first dose of 2018/2019 was strong acting, with a short turn around time (one infusion every other week) – unfortunately my body was not able to handle it well. It took 3 months just to get 5 infusions.

This fourth time, 2019, the dose is still strong, but more old school. It also has the longest turn around time one infusion every 21 days. i got the first one three weeks ago. The first week the side effects were very easy. The second week, usually the time my body would be rebuilding, it actually went the other way, and more SE were kicking in. By the second weekend, i had gained a possible set of infections, and a fever hovering around 101/102. Last Monday, as previously posted, i was getting high doses of antibiotic via my port, with a followup antibiotic pill taken each day.

This day was a good day! My numbers were up! The infusion went well, with the only side effect being really tired. So i came home, and took about a 3 hour nap, and feel really good tonight. Like last time, labs are run on day 7 to see if my body reacts like it did for the first set. Hopefully these series will run the same course, and if so, i will be able to plan ahead, and be prepared.

Dad and i are very thankful for your prayers. We can see God moving so much! We are trying to keep up a “normal” life throughout this whole situation, so we are also thankful for everyone’s patience and support.

To God be the Glory!

i have had quite a few people ask me what the SE are this time around/are they as bad as previous rounds. My usual answer has been, “If i had these SE the first time around, i probably would have blogged about them, but after all i have been through, they seem kind of mild!”

Be wary of mild SE. They can come back to bite you! One of the SE this time around has involved platelets. i am more susceptible to bleeding or bruising.  Another one is mouth sores & ulcers – makes it hard to eat anything. That and the ongoing nausea makes it hard to keep up my strength.

So a couple of nights ago, i had nosebleed that lasted about 10 minutes. When i finally got the bleeding to stop, i was afraid to blow my nose for fear of starting it again. Twenty-four hours later, it was a full blown sinus infection. Add to that a few other infections that quickly started. Things can move that fast.

You can’t rely on how you feel. You have to go by the numbers. In my case, the numbers were a fever of 102. The fever then went to 101.7, which i thought meant it was getting better…until the fever went back up to 102 today. i spent the rest of the day at doctors offices. First my Primary Care Doctor, and then the oncologist. Getting antibiotics and fluids. And being reminded that there is a reason why they tell you to call in when your fever is over 100.4. Point well taken.

God’s still got this!!!!

Now i know why they call this a journey. i was never very good at marathons, and i am ready to be at the end of this one.

And the length of this post is so long, because i’m trying to catch up with all the appointments, test results, options, etc. It seems things change each day.

After i was cleared from the surgeon, i had my followup with my oncologist today. To me, right now, my biggest concern is controlling my nausea. The team is doing all they can to help me, but they are just as concerned about the cancer. i didn’t really understand why, because my surgery results were clear.

Last time i did this, i finished the chemo-the tumor was gone because of the chemo. That is called a “complete response”.  The term for a person who stops treatment early, and there are still cancer cells in the body, it is called an “incomplete response”. That is me this time. (Just to be clear, even knowing what that means going forward now, i would still do everything the same.)

My current status is that the tumor that started this whole thing is gone. Before surgery, there was still some cancer in my body. It was super small, but it was still there. After, the surgeon said my margins were great. The node biopsies they took (4) were all clear. So YAY! i was prepared for some radiation, which will probably start in a few weeks (i meet with that doctor is 2 weeks). What i had not thought of, and it makes sense now, is why i still needed chemo. However how, what kind, and how much is still up in the air. My oncologist explained that i may still have cancer cells in my body. The chemo is really the only way to get rid of those cells.

As i was explaining everything to dad, it suddenly occurred to me. If there were still cancer cells in my body that we knew about, there is the chance that i have them somewhere else. ahhhh. makes sense. Not excited about it, but it makes sense. Another patient told me that the type of cancer we have has a more than usual tendency to metastasis. That is why they are so aggressive with getting rid of it.

But the one thing that is driving this train right now is nausea. You have all heard this many times, but i have basically been nauseous to some degree since around May 2017. (first sets of chemo, first diagnosis). But now it is out of control. i constantly feel like i’m going to…, you know…, and then all of a sudden, my body is hungry for a short time. Then i get sick again. i am on a 2 week food nutrition thing, basically a glorified BRAT* diet. if that helps my stomach, then we can move forward from there. In my mind, that will also determine which type of chemo i will do.

So if you see me around, and i don’t look like i’m over the moon about the tumor being gone, it doesn’t mean i’m not thrilled.  It’s because i’m already on the next leg of the journey.

*BRAT diet – it is a bland food diet. Bananas, Rice, Apples or applesauce, and Toast.

Well, as promised, i have some great news! i met with my oncologist yesterday, and asked if we could stop chemo, and go to surgery. The last couple of exams the tumor has been reducing, even though i haven’t had a treatment since December 10 (All praise to Jesus!!). And as you know, my body has not exactly handled this round of chemo well. She said that it was absolutely a possibility. We discussed the different scenarios that could happen, and decided to wait until after the surgery to see what’s next!

This morning i went to my surgeon, and we talked about the surgery. She also noted that the tumor was really small, and wants me to have the surgery as soon as we can. Unfortunately she is booked through the 23, so i’ll probably be scheduled later on this month…unless someone has to cancel, and then i might get bumped up earlier! (prayers!!)

Overall, my body stills feels pretty rough, but all my numbers are good, or at least close to good. Mentally, i feel like a weight has been lifted off me.

The one thing that seems to be holding on, is the nausea. After talking to a few other cancer survivors, i found out it is quite common to feel this way for a while. Well, if i’m going to have it, i hope it helps me lose a few more pounds. (looking for the silver lining, right?!?)

As soon as i have a date for surgery, or any other information i will post it! i will keep to the schedule of posting regularly on Mondays, but we are now in a time where things happen at any time, so there may be other posts in between.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement! Dad and i could not have made it this far without you!!

All praise and glory to God, the Great Physician!