My internet connection isn't great, but I'm going to try and post a blog.
I've been at the cancer center since about 9:45 this morning (I had to meet with my oncologist) but the appointment to see her was super delayed and we didn't get in until 10:30 or so. She explained the chemotherapy medicines (Carboplatin/Avastin/Alimta) and possible side effects.
We also got information back from Foundation Medicine - there are two more things (mutations?) that were found in my biopsy. There are some clinical trials that involve those new mutations, but the information on them is very limited, and we do not feel it's a good idea to deviate from our current chemotherapy plan. It's very good to have this new information though, because should newer treatments or trials arise in the future, we know that I could be eligible for them.
It's about 1:45 now and I have not gotten my first chemo infusion yet. We had to wait on some labs to come back, and they're ordering medicines to take before I start infusions (anti-nausea I think). I have to ramp the steroids back up today - but only for a couple of days. I was told I'll get tired, but that most side effects (if I have any) will be in a few days, or when we're supposed to be moving stuff. I know nobody will judge me for not doing much/anything in the way of moving but I still feel bad about it.
We went to a BBQ place last night for dinner, it's about a 60 second walk from our new place. It was really good, and we got to have dinner with two of our friends. We picked up some hard candy and snacks on our way home. I bought some lemon drops and some Kind bars (those are yummy). The lemon drops are great!
They did come in to set up my first infusion (Avastin) a little while ago. This first one will take about an hour and a half. I'm about to eat a sandwich that my husband brought over. This infusion is slow, because they have to monitor my blood pressure closely. I'll post more later!
Showing posts with label avastin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label avastin. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Things Change
I had a couple of scans yesterday (CT of the lung/pelvis & MRI of the brain). There was a bit of a scheduling/location nightmare and I ended up having a teensy meltdown (tears and all) but the folks at the hospital set things right.
Today we got the results of the CT, and they showed "significant" growth on the liver lesion (it went from 1cm to about 4cm) and growth in the lung. It actually kind of explains the pain and shortness of breath lately. I've also been ridiculously tired. I thought it was just the humidity
Because there was minor activity/growth on the liver while still on the clinical trial drug (though most areas were stable) and the growth was so significant after just 4-5 weeks... The oncologist felt that since I'm in fairly good health otherwise that it would be best to start IV chemotherapy next week.
I will be taking Carboplatin/Alimta/Avastin and each "cycle" of chemotherapy will be 3 weeks (one infusion during that time). I don't know how it'll affect me. I'm sad, but I'm not. This is a new treatment, this is a new chance to fight my cancer, and a new way to accessorize - am I right? I'm scarf shopping online, since it's possible I will lose even more (if not all of) my hair. The pre-tied wraps they have look terrible and are expensive, so I'm going to have to try and learn how to tie scarves creatively - or get a cute hat or two. Truthfully, I do not like most hats.
Right now I can barely stay awake. I would love to go home and take a little nap. Tonight, I think I'm going to try and get out of the house and have pizza with a friend. We'll see how I feel. Sometimes, I hate feeling like such a fuddy-duddy, sometimes I feel like a stick in the mud because I'm so damn tired. There's a reason I'm tired, and it's okay. I feel like I should get out of the house and do something fun this week - I might not feel like it at all come next week.
Today we got the results of the CT, and they showed "significant" growth on the liver lesion (it went from 1cm to about 4cm) and growth in the lung. It actually kind of explains the pain and shortness of breath lately. I've also been ridiculously tired. I thought it was just the humidity
Because there was minor activity/growth on the liver while still on the clinical trial drug (though most areas were stable) and the growth was so significant after just 4-5 weeks... The oncologist felt that since I'm in fairly good health otherwise that it would be best to start IV chemotherapy next week.
I will be taking Carboplatin/Alimta/Avastin and each "cycle" of chemotherapy will be 3 weeks (one infusion during that time). I don't know how it'll affect me. I'm sad, but I'm not. This is a new treatment, this is a new chance to fight my cancer, and a new way to accessorize - am I right? I'm scarf shopping online, since it's possible I will lose even more (if not all of) my hair. The pre-tied wraps they have look terrible and are expensive, so I'm going to have to try and learn how to tie scarves creatively - or get a cute hat or two. Truthfully, I do not like most hats.
Right now I can barely stay awake. I would love to go home and take a little nap. Tonight, I think I'm going to try and get out of the house and have pizza with a friend. We'll see how I feel. Sometimes, I hate feeling like such a fuddy-duddy, sometimes I feel like a stick in the mud because I'm so damn tired. There's a reason I'm tired, and it's okay. I feel like I should get out of the house and do something fun this week - I might not feel like it at all come next week.
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