Two weeks after all my records were sent in, I was told the best option is the Cap/Tem* series of oral chemo (the Cap portion would go for two weeks a month and the Tem portion would be the last five days of the Cap portion). My oncologist recommended that I begin with the Tem only to see how well I tolerated it. She sent in the prescription to the mail order pharmacy and I started with my first round of Tem in December.
In February, I was struck with a nosebleed that lasted 24 hours and resulted in my platelets plummeting to a dangerous low--nearly needing a transfusion. Here's the thing about platelets--too many and blood clots can occur, too few and blood doesn't like to clot. Because of the platelet issue, the doctor decided it was too risky to add the Cap portion of the oral chemo, and I had to postpone February's Tem for a week, until my platelet count came back up to a safer level. I've done weekly blood counts from then until June when my oncologist felt they were stable enough I could go to once a month blood counts. One of the major blessings (I know you will say every blessing is a major one and there are no minor blessings and I agree) is that my clinic has a satellite office here in Ephrata, where I can drive for five to ten minutes and get my blood drawn instead of the half hour it takes to go where I see my oncologist.
One of the gastroenterologists I had seen was concerned for the amount of radiation I was getting from my CT scans and felt that two CT scans a year were too much. My oncologist said that the CT scans were getting hard to read because of the ascites, so she would order MRI's instead--at a much lower radiation level.
My last MRI showed stability in my tumors, but no shrinkage with the Tem. My oncologist then recommended that I discontinue the Tem as the risk-reward ratio wasn't worth the effort. So here I am today, still stable, but not doing oral chemo. And I'm okay with that. I'm okay with not losing a week to the chemo, not feeling blah all the time, and not messing up my sleep cycle--because it did mess with my sleep quite a bit. Would I do it again knowing now what I didn't know then? I think so, simply because I needed to find out what I didn't know. Does it change how I feel about my situation, in some respects, yes it does. I feel like I tried on the chance there would be change. That there wasn't any change doesn't disappoint me, I'm happy to be stable.
*Cap=Capacitabine aka Xeloda; Tem=Temozolomide aka Temodar
Today's funny: What do penguins get for lunch at the zoo? Half an hour, the same as the zebras.
Options are always a boost as choices give feeling of control when we have none!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right! To have a little control offers a breath now and again. The rest of the time I am glad God is in control. He knows us inside and out!
ReplyDeleteGod's joy and peace, love Pat Wheeler
Love your spirit and attitude. You’re the best! ❤️
ReplyDeleteI cannot even imagine what you have been going through these past years. I know a little bit about being the spouse of a wife who is going through various forms of cancer. It is a journey that a lot of good people have to go through. I like the verse in 1 Peter 5:6-7. We have to just give all of this "stuff" to the Lord and let Him handle it. Just a suggestion, how about an image of you and Kevin out on a walk so those of us who haven't seen you lately and my wife who has not seen you at all. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings............Neal
We'll be seeing Leanna next week, so we'll see what we can do!
DeleteLove you and keeping you in prayer. Wanda ps: don't know how to do all those other things.
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