To my dear friends and family,
I hope you all had a great Memorial Weekend and time to relax.
I had a P.E.T scan 5/16/13 after 4 rounds of Halaven chemotherapy (2 weeks on, 1 week off is a round). My blood tests 3 weeks before were good, showing 2 liver enzyme readings in the normal range and 1 very close to normal. Dr. Reddy was optimistic that there would be good P.E.T. scan results, but the cancer cells, having a mind of their own, grew more in my liver. It wasn't back up to 50% but more than 20% (I don't know the exact percentage). The number that shows the intensity of the tumor growth was 3.6 last scan and is 5.5 now.
I started a new chemo today because the Halevan is no longer effective and also the side effects were building up. My new chemo is Gemzar. It has a different make-up than the other chemos I have been on. I will do 2 rounds (3 weeks on, 1 week off) and then have another P.E.T scan.
It sounds like this might be a milder chemo with the main side effects being low blood counts which effect the immune system and energy level and also nausea (which is usually controlled by the drip with the chemo.) I will also be getting steroids with the chemo. They will especially be watching the blood counts as they can drop pretty low with this. There are other side effects which are common with most chemos and it's possible my hair will continue to grow some or just thin out. I have some now but mostly short fuzz.
When I asked Dr. Reddy and the chemo nurse they both said that in metastatic cancer that each chemo would eventually become ineffective,some lasting longer than others. Sometimes it can be because the cancer cells change their structure when they become more intense. There are still some chemo options plus Dr. Reddy is very intent on finding a clinical study that I can participate in. He is sending e-mails to KU Med Ctr. and also to K.C. center that does cancer research to have them watch out for a study that would fit my criteria. If there were one in K.C., I would have to stay there during the study. (Just a little warning to Miranda & Jason :-). That is a future possibility.
I am not devastated by the news. I am thankful that it is not back up to the 50%. P.E.T. scans are becoming less predictable and more varied (one time good news, then not so good news). Sometimes waiting can be nerve-racking but other times I am able to trust that God will be with me not matter what and I don't anticipate as much. I am thankful it has not spread to any other organs.
I have received so many acts of kindness, surprises, and best wishes from friends and family. Truly I see God's presence in all of you. Sometimes I don't get to answer all e-mails but I am grateful for all of them. I am blessed that I am able to keep active (with a few naps injected). My sister, Vicki, and husband Bill are coming Fri. to visit. It will be great to see them.
I forgot to mention that I did qualify for disability and will start receiving payments in Oct.
The verse that stuck with me this week was "From the fulness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another." John 1:17
Take care. Love you all.
Debbie
I hope you all had a great Memorial Weekend and time to relax.
I had a P.E.T scan 5/16/13 after 4 rounds of Halaven chemotherapy (2 weeks on, 1 week off is a round). My blood tests 3 weeks before were good, showing 2 liver enzyme readings in the normal range and 1 very close to normal. Dr. Reddy was optimistic that there would be good P.E.T. scan results, but the cancer cells, having a mind of their own, grew more in my liver. It wasn't back up to 50% but more than 20% (I don't know the exact percentage). The number that shows the intensity of the tumor growth was 3.6 last scan and is 5.5 now.
I started a new chemo today because the Halevan is no longer effective and also the side effects were building up. My new chemo is Gemzar. It has a different make-up than the other chemos I have been on. I will do 2 rounds (3 weeks on, 1 week off) and then have another P.E.T scan.
It sounds like this might be a milder chemo with the main side effects being low blood counts which effect the immune system and energy level and also nausea (which is usually controlled by the drip with the chemo.) I will also be getting steroids with the chemo. They will especially be watching the blood counts as they can drop pretty low with this. There are other side effects which are common with most chemos and it's possible my hair will continue to grow some or just thin out. I have some now but mostly short fuzz.
When I asked Dr. Reddy and the chemo nurse they both said that in metastatic cancer that each chemo would eventually become ineffective,some lasting longer than others. Sometimes it can be because the cancer cells change their structure when they become more intense. There are still some chemo options plus Dr. Reddy is very intent on finding a clinical study that I can participate in. He is sending e-mails to KU Med Ctr. and also to K.C. center that does cancer research to have them watch out for a study that would fit my criteria. If there were one in K.C., I would have to stay there during the study. (Just a little warning to Miranda & Jason :-). That is a future possibility.
I am not devastated by the news. I am thankful that it is not back up to the 50%. P.E.T. scans are becoming less predictable and more varied (one time good news, then not so good news). Sometimes waiting can be nerve-racking but other times I am able to trust that God will be with me not matter what and I don't anticipate as much. I am thankful it has not spread to any other organs.
I have received so many acts of kindness, surprises, and best wishes from friends and family. Truly I see God's presence in all of you. Sometimes I don't get to answer all e-mails but I am grateful for all of them. I am blessed that I am able to keep active (with a few naps injected). My sister, Vicki, and husband Bill are coming Fri. to visit. It will be great to see them.
I forgot to mention that I did qualify for disability and will start receiving payments in Oct.
The verse that stuck with me this week was "From the fulness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another." John 1:17
Take care. Love you all.
Debbie
RSS Feed