Well, I started off the day feeling a bit apprehensive about my first IP chemo treatment. But then I got there and found out my CA-125 tumor marker numbers are now in the high side of the normal range. Normal! Before surgery my number was 780; after surgery when I started chemo it was 360; as of yesterday it was 20! Normal is 21 or lower. So after only 2 chemo treatments it got down to 20, so I think I can assume it will continue to go lower. Fingers and toes are crossed!
Turns out the whole IP chemo thing wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Compared to the amount of fluid I was carrying around (8 liters) post-surgery, 2 liters feels like nothing. I'm on some heavy duty anti-nausea meds, so that's helping. As well as the steroids. I've got the steroid red flush on my face and body at the moment. People might think I spent the day lying out in the sun instead of lying flat on a chemo bed.
My friend Lyn took me and stayed with me and treated me to a Panera Bread lunch. I learned the challenges of eating an Asian Sesame Chicken salad while lying flat on my back. Takes a bit of coordination, that does. Then Phil came in for a little while to visit as well. The first part was just an infusion of fluid, manitol, potassium, magnesium, etc. into my IV port. Then they fired up the IP port and added 1 liter of fluid for which I could stay somewhat upright, just a little reclined. When they added the cisplatin, I had to lie completely flat, then on my left side, then on my right side. Think roasted chicken turning on a spit. It wasn't too bad, though, it really wasn't. So assuming the side effects aren't too bad, it doesn't feel a whole lot different than normal IV chemo. Just a little bloating that will subside in a few days.
Getting my CA-125 numbers before my infusion was just the boost I needed to get through the treatment. Thanks to everyone for the prayers; please keep them coming. Team Sandy's Whoop-A$$ live strong!
Love to all,
Sandy
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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