The Chemo Monster

Today I would like you introduce you to my liver. 

That's right, that's my dirty pig of a liver - gobbling up chemo but not really getting any better. Dirty piggy liver, it eats it up and...Nothing. I had a CT scan, and yesterday was the first day an oncologist would not feign a toothy grin. Truth be told, I appreciate that. Battling cancer isn't all sunshine and roses. Most anyone who pens a blog and says it's been easy or only tell you the good parts is hiding something - maybe for your sake, or maybe for theirs. 

My liver hasn't wanted to cooperate for a really long time - the best response I had was on Alectinib... And even then there was slight progression. When I stopped Alectinib there was a lot of progression and that was what led me to go to traditional chemo (which didn't work on the liver either). 

I'm numb right now, and I'm annoyed. I'm not mad at my doctor - he's doing everything he can. In a way he almost seemed as pissed off/confused as me. I also think he and my nurse expected me to burst into tears. Not going to happen. I had my cancer cry when I was diagnosed...I still get upset but I'm not going to get discouraged. 

Right now, I'm in a little pain. I don't know if it's because it's cold or if it's the cancer. I sent an email to my nurse. I hope to be on a new drug next week. Until then, I wish I could just sleep. I really, really want to see some improvement/control in my liver. Please let Zykadia work. 

A Port in Girl

I just got home a little while ago from my minor surgeries.

To recap, I had a liver biopsy and a port. They could not do them simultaneously, so I went in and had my biopsy first (around 9:00) and recovered in that department until I could be called to the cancer center for my Medi-Port.

The biopsy was mostly uneventful, the worst of the pain being with the local anesthesia. I was kept very comfortable and all of the doctors were very nice. My parents came to visit me, and that was so important. I didn't realize how much I needed them until my mom came into my recovery room.

The port was a little more troubling to me, for some reason. They showed me what the port looked like and it wasn't at all like I'd imagined. It was/is much thicker but smaller. The pain meds were effective and all I really felt was tugging and pressure. Thanks to the anesthesia my blood pressure is kind of low and I'm very weak and woozy. Not sure I'll go in to work tomorrow - but I feel the pressure to go, because I don't want to lose any more leave time.

I love University Hospitals and the Seidman Cancer Center. Their staff members are always caring and so compassionate. I am so glad to be home, though! I took some pain medication and will spend the evening resting/relaxing.