Friday, April 15, 2011

It's taken me a few days to get my head in order before I could sit down and write. As many of you know the results weren't what we expected nor wanted to see. Not only have the existing tumors increased in size on my liver and bones but there are more of them. I could tell the doctor was very disappointed in the results. She immediately started me on a chemo pill (Xeloda) which I take 8 (YES 8!) a day. Thank God for (good) insurance. She was a little hesitant in prescribing this med due to the cost and even offered the assistance of her nurse to help me get it through a pharmacy broker if my co-payment was too high. I was a little nervous at the pharmacy and asked what my co-pay was and it turned out to be only $50. HOWEVER, the prescription retail cost is $3,440 for a month supply. Unbelievable. How do people without insurance do it???? Side effects are what I would call typical - nausea, diarrhea, tiredness. Another problem is very dry hands and feet - so bad that there is a lot of cracking of the skin. I've already started rubbing lotion on my hands and feet to ward it off. Today is my second day and so far so good. I would expect in a week once I get a few doses down that I may see some changes but I tolerated the other chemo's so well I'm not that worried. This by the way this is in addition to the IV chemo I've been getting so no getting away from the hospital. I did ask why she wouldn't put me back on the Taxol since it seemed to do so well but her protocol is not to go back to something that she has used in the past until she tries something new first. I have trust in her so we'll see what happens. I am of course trying to keep my life as normal as possible. It helps that work is busy and I get to talk to a lot of people who don't know whats going on so I can act "normal" and pretend all is good. I really don't feel that bad to be honest with you. I do have some aches and pains but who at this age doesn't. My biggest complaint is my left ankle which some days feels fine and others I could hardly walk on it. I'll try to check in more often and let you all know whats going on. Until then - Thanks for listening! Doreen

Monday, April 11, 2011

What a wonderful weekend in Chicago. The weather was unbelievable - sunny and warm. It felt renewing to get outside and soak up some of the warm from the sun. This is the week..... I keep telling myself that I can't get all bent out of shape when I know a scan is coming but its hard not to worry. It's hard to explain but things in the past I took for granted and didn't think twice about, like twinges, aches and pains, are now amplified because I don't know if its the cancer growing and spreading. My left ankle hurt so bad Saturday night I could hardly walk on it. Even when I was off it it throbbed. Thankfully by mid-morning Sunday it was better. However, this morning my left knee was bothering me and it was hard to get up the stairs. Of course this could all be caused by the added chemo they put me on two weeks ago. Wednesday morning is my PET scan to see is the chemo is working. Please keep me in your thoughts. I'm hoping that by the time I have my chemo Wednesday afternoon that they will have the results. I'll let you know as soon as I know. Until then - Doreen

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Hi - Time is sure flying by quickly. I hadn't realized I haven't posted for a month. One reason is that there wasn't much to report. Chemo changed yesterday - they have now added a new drug to my regiment which is more aggressive on bone tumors. They name escapes me so I'll have to report on it in my next posting. So far the only reaction I have seen is more tired then usual (if that's possible) and a slight rash on both of my hands. I have found that when a new drug is introduced it takes a few weeks for my body to adjust and then it kind of settles in and I'm back to normal. Big news is that I'm scheduled for and ECHO (just a check on my heart to make sure its strong from all the crap they have been pumping into me) and a PET scan (to check tumors) on April 13. As you can imagine I'm starting to get a little nervous. Part of me wants to see whats going on and the other just wants to stick its head in the sand like business as usual. I'm of course hoping for the best but preparing (if that's possible) for the worst. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers - I need all your super powers to get me through this. I've been pretty depressed this week. My good friend of 30 yrs, Phil Venticinque, passed away last week Saturday of small cell lung cancer. He fought for almost 8 months and his body just couldn't take it anymore. Phil and I had many adventures over the years in both Mexico and China and I have many good memories. He will be missed. Until I have more news - Doreen

Friday, February 25, 2011

I'm sorry for the long lapse in making a post. My life is out of control with too much to do. Chemo has been rolling right along. Not much to report. We seem to have the IV/needle situation under control with several nurses I now trust. I can't believe its been almost 10 months since I started this journey. I asked one of the nurses if I have a record yet for how long I've been coming. I was told that they have patients who have been coming ten years (although not weekly). My reply - I wouldn't mind coming for ten years considering the alternative!

All and all I have no complaints. I'm still very tired by the end of the day and weekends are filled with catching up on rest. My friend Debby from Colorado sent me info on an organization "Cleaning for a Reason". They offer FREE housecleaning services for women currently undergoing chemo - once a month for four months. The service is provided by local cleaning services across the country. I registered but haven't used the service yet. If you know anyone who can benefit the website is www.cleaningforareason.org

I hope to post more in the next few weeks. My last scans were Jan 5 so I expect to be sent for more the end of March or sooner. I'll keep you updated so you can send me all that positive energy you all have going.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Just wanted to write a short blurb letting you all know I'm doing well. Tomorrow will be my 36th week of treatments. I actually am feeling pretty good. I'm sure a lot of it is mental knowing the treatments are working.

I find myself being able to stand for longer periods of time. Believe it or not there was a time a few months back that I had to sit to brush my teeth! I now find it's getting easier in the morning to get ready and I'm getting faster. My legs are still bothering me and ache in the evening but I see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I actually find myself planning to do things in the future where as before I hated to plan anything because I never knew how I would feel. This is a good thing.

Surprisingly the only issues I am having (health wise) is this darn gallbladder. Seems no matter what I eat (or don't eat) I have a stabbing feeling. It's not all the time but enough to be an annoyance. Per the doctors instructions I'm taking Advil which seems to help.

Until I have more to report I hope you all are doing well.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

It was a long day yesterday. Left for the hospital at 8AM and got home at 7PM. Most of the day was spent waiting. Arrived in Infusion Therapy at 9AM to have them insert the IV for test, etc. Unfortunately the tests require a larger gauge needle then I usually get for chemo. Took two nurses and two tries but we finally got it placed. Part of the problem is that they don't want you to eat or drink before tests and I was dehydrated so it was even harder to get the needle in my arm. Needless to say my arm still hurts.

Once the needle was inserted headed down to nuclear medicine for PET scan. They inject you with a radio active substance and then you have to sit for 1.5 hours while it circulates through your body. Mark was able to be in the same room but was behind a lead screen to protect him (so what does that mean for me???). Then its on to the scanning room where you lie on the table for about 45 minutes while they insert you into a tube (similar to a CAT scan) and take pictures.

Then on to Radiology for the Brain MRI. Had to wait 1.5 hours because they were backed up so by the time they were ready for me I was in rare form. Fortunately the Tech was really nice and funny so I calmed down quickly. 45 minutes of being shoved into a tube and I was done and ready for chemo.

Back up to Infusion Therapy where we waited another 60 minutes before a chair opened up. Chemo went well (even the two injections in my butt). Talked them into letting me have the Zometa (bone strengthener) next week. I had too much stuff running through my system already!

By the time I was done with chemo the doctor came in with my results. Nice thing about U of C is that they get the reports almost instantly so no waiting. The PET Scan showed "significant reduced activity" from the last scan. Looks like the cancer is shrinking and the treatments are working!!! Brain Scan showed nothing up there (ha ha). Actually showed "evidence of medical treatment" i.e. scare tissue, but no active cancer cells!!!! This good news however brings the fact that I will continue the current chemo regiment for the next 12 weeks when they will do more testing to see if any progress.

All and all I am excited about the results. I'm trying not to get too excited as I know how quickly things could change. I credit the progress in part to my great doctors but more importantly to my family and friends who have stood besides me and sent me tons of positive energy, prayers and good thoughts. I thank you all! I couldn't do this without all of your support.

Monday January 3, 2011

Happy New Year! Hope you had a good holiday. Christmas weekend was spent in bed with a terrible head/chest cold, cough, sore throat, etc. Still have a little bit let in my chest.

This week Wednesday is the BIG day! I will be at the hospital all day for a PET scan, Brain MRI, chemo and doctors appt. A little nervous about results of scans. I hope after 9 months of chemo we will see positive results. I'll let you all know as soon as I get the results. PLEASE send me positive energy on Wednesday to get me through this.

Beside that feeling OK - just tired and have this pain in my side that won't go away. I'm hoping its a muscle pull but will know more this week.