PET scan results are not good - knew it the minute I saw the expression on my Nurse Practitioner's face. More cancer in my liver, spine, hip, and ribcage. Old lesions are "metabolic" again, lighting up on the PET scan, back being nasty again.
So, plan B: new chemo drug called Xeloda. Good news is, it's a pill, so no weekly visits to the infusion center. Side effects are said to be minimal but everyone is different, so we'll see how it treats me. Major worry for me is the warning of more neuropathy and Hand and Foot Syndrome which is a reddening and increased sensitivity of the hands and feet. Hopefully the hand and foot syndrome fairy will pass me by; I can't imagine interpreting would be much fun with that!
I'm feeling ok about the news; luckily they don't give me too much time to wallow; I start the new drug on Sunday or Monday depending on how I feel. I'll keep you updated on the side effects!
I am so sorry to hear the news and am praying/wishing and hoping that the Hand and Foot Syndrome fairy ignores you. Glad the medicine is in a pill form, so administering that won't impact your schedule. Thank you for keeping us all updated. Stan will be boiling maple sap to become syrup this weekend, so if you and the kids are interested, the door will be open. He has made 2 GALLONS so far this season! That is 2 full weekends of boiling down 80 gallons of sap! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI read my "impact your schedule" thing and what I meant was that you aren't spending hours in the hospital, but can use that time as you wish. Sorry for any misunderstanding.
DeleteHi Val:) no worries, I understood what you meant! Thanks so much for your positive thoughts, always makes me smile to see you at work:)
DeleteI'm not going to spell nice like you...SHIT!!
ReplyDeleteAm praying the pill will help and minimal side affects.Tell your freakin' body to stop worrying us(yea,and you..) so much!
Love you and praying---although maybe I should stop praying..I must be on God's shit list..he isn't listening to me very well....XOXO
Hi Carol Beth:) nah, keep praying, I need it!! Love you too, thanks so much for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers, it really does help to read the little messages I get! Especially when Jill makes fun of you...that's the best! :) xoxo
DeleteCan you drink margaritas on this new medication? Please ask cry-y doctor and get back to me ASAP.
ReplyDeleteCarol-nice is spelled n i c e. Did you mean nicely? :p
I've stopped asking about drug interaction with alcohol...pretty sure it's all bs anyway, so bring on the margaritas! Love u! Xoxo
DeleteWhen I heard the news - I just wanted to start smashing things I got so angry! So just know while you stay "zen" as you should - we who love you are fighting mad for you. Lets do a girls night out again! I'm feeling the need for one. What you say?
ReplyDeleteI would love another girls night out, I'm in whenever you are.mmmm more margaritas..I'm sensing a theme:) I think margaritas help with the zen thing! Xoxo
DeleteHi Judy:) thanks so much for checking on me and sending me a message...it's good that all my support people are mad, takes the burden off me, and I can just work on being zen:) xoxo
ReplyDeleteI've been looking into some alternative treatments in the past few days, and I'm considering going to Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Do you have any experience with them? I'd love to hear about any opinions or experience you all have about me seeking another opinion in my treatment plan. I have faith in my current oncologist, and she meets with a team and discusses my case and the treatment options, so I do feel like I'm on the best path she knows, but there are so many other paths out there. Also, with Ann Marie's help, have been looking at herbs that while not curative, have a beneficial effect on liver function, natural killer cells, etc. it's so hard to know what to take, what doc to trust, which drug trial might be better for me than "proven" meds I've been taking without success. I feel like the last 6 months were such a waste of precious treatment time, and I want to do anything I can to prevent that from happening again. Someone must know what to do!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you trust your oncologist - but I don't think that should prevent you from seeing what else is out there. I think hearing from others in the field might let you know there are more options that maybe your current oncologist has not considered or maybe has and you can at least ask why she/he did not think it right for you. I say be pro-active - but thats just me :-) LYF
ReplyDeleteI agree with Colleen. Getting second opinions are never a bad thing. Another set of eyes, another approach. My only warning with herbs and such - know how they may interact with what you are doing with Western medicine. It is still something you are putting in or on your body that will have an effect. Just my 2 cents... I know that feeling of like you wasted some time. You haven't. And as you continue along, research and technology is as well, so what maybe wasn't available 6 months ago is now, so you can take full advantage. I know all of that was true with my daughter.... <3
ReplyDeleteJen - I concur with others and won't hold back. SHIT. DAMN. Keep trying to get in your zen place and mixing alcohol with drugs. :) We don't get to see each other much, but know I am sending happy thoughts your way all the time.
ReplyDeleteJen- well crap, so sorry. I will continue to keep you in my prayers and hope this new med works wonders. xo Cheryl
ReplyDelete