Cancer Update: Just the Facts

Well, since it's been almost three months since I posted, I figured I should give you all an update on this cancer thing. Seems my tumors have taken a liking to my body and have decided to build an all-inclusive resort where they've invited all their far-flung relatives to hang out for a prolonged stay.

Let's see. Chronology. In January, the Taxol/Carboplatin combination stopped working. My CT scan revealed that one of my tumor masses got bigger, but the other ones got smaller, and my liver/lungs were clean. My numbers started in October at around 300, then went down as low as 120 after 2 treatments, then back up to almost 300 at the beginning of February. So we switched to Gemcitabine chemotherapy at the beginning of February.

Gemcitobine did absolutely nothing, except give me fevers and make me feel crummy. At the beginning of March, we found out my numbers went up to 1900. Unfortunately I had just had a Gemcitabine treatment (unnecessarily) before we got numbers back, so more fevers, etc. I got a CT scan which revealed that my tumors have indeed grown, and the ones that were iffy before are now definite tumor groupings. I have one on my left, one on my hernia in the center, and one on my right. Kind of funny to me because I'm all about symmetry, and my body has delivered. One week later my numbers jumped to 2900 and we started Doxil.

At least Doxil is infused on a monthly basis, instead of weekly, so I feel like I have a bit more of a normal life. Unfortunately, I was majorly ill the whole week after my Doxil treatment more due to tumor growth and interference with my bowels than due to Doxil (Doxil has very few side effects). I had lost about 15 pounds in 3 weeks due to nausea/constipation/bloating. Sadly I've gained about 6 of those pounds back. After a week of feeling like dirt, I went to my doctor and got hydrated with IV fluids and put on steroids and Regulin, which is an anti-nausea drug that actually makes your bowels contract so you don't get constipated (most other anti-nausea drugs are REALLY constipating). It's a beautiful thing to be on drugs that actually help you feel better. As much as I hate being on meds, feeling somewhat normal is a tremendous boost to my mental and emotional outlook. I'm on a low dose of steroids, so I'm not too worried about it, although I've upped the amount I'm taking this week (after my 2nd Doxil treatment) because 4mg isn't cutting it. Speaking of 2nd Doxil treatment...

I went back for chemo on April 8th and got a 2nd Doxil treatment, after which I continued on steroids/Regulin and was proactive about getting fluids the following week. Unfortunately my numbers continued to climb, but didn't quite double, which is the pattern they look for. They are now around 5300. Doxil takes a little longer to kick in than other chemo drugs, and sometimes you need to play catchup with the numbers, so I'll most likely get yet another round of Doxil in May unless my numbers double or triple, in which case we're on to the next drug to see if THAT works. I'm beginning to feel like I'm playing Wheel of Fortune, and playing it badly. I'm also wondering what happens if my tumors keep getting bigger. I already look like I'm about 6 months pregnant (which is better than the 7 months pregnant I looked like last month). Surgery isn't really an option. This kind of cancer doesn't usually go to brain or bones, but most likely into liver and lungs. So far (as of March) my liver and lungs are clean.

So I started my 2nd Doxil treatment feeling far less bloated, but that has changed somewhat in the last week and I'm feeling like a bloated tick again. I have been doing some healing sessions long distance (with a person in Italy) which definitely helped me feel better, and I just started them up again after a 3 week hiatus, so that's good. And we got to fit in our trip to Hilton Head Island with Phil's parents and got a bonus visit in with my parents as well. It was so great to get away. And it was great to come home to my beautiful new serenity room that this wonderful community of people I live and interact with did while we are away (the room deserves its own post, which it will get later). Here's hoping we can make Canada and North Carolina work with my treatment schedule this summer. I'm counting on it. Gotta keep dangling those carrots in front of myself to keep me going.

So those are the facts in a nutshell. I continue to ride this merry go round and try to stay positive and take one day at a time. Fingers crossed that my tumors and their relatives have had enough of a vacation and are ready to pack up and go home. That's what I'm hoping for.

Love to all,
Sandy