Tuesday, December 8, 2015
I've been on my current treatment for 4 months. It's been a little rough, but I'm adjusting and
the good news is that my last cancer marker blood test was lower, so it looks like it's working.
I did lose most of my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. I still have a little bit of hair in the back, so I've chosen to wear a lot of hats. They're more comfortable than a wig and the kids think it looks more natural.
Other (mostly annoying) side effects include watery eyes, dry mouth, some achiness, a metallic taste with many foods and drinks (even my favorite tea!), and I continue to give myself shots for my white blood cell count. And of course, the fatigue.
I also receive an IV steroid to combat nausea, which comes with it's own side effects.
All of this and not enough sleep have led to me being very cranky at times. James has also felt the stress of my treatment (and his work and travel). We're working on finding ways to reduce stress (like getting more rest, which neither of us are good at), so hopefully we'll start the new year feeling more like ourselves.
I was disappointed with my October scan because the tumors hadn't changed after 3 months on the new treatment. Stable is better than growth, but I thought there would be more progress. I am hoping that my recent cancer marker result means that there will be more changes on my next scan (in January). Dr. Kaplan did say that some patients stay stable for a year or more, and that's considered a good thing.
I'm frequently reminded how blessed I am to be at Swedish. Two nurses gave me a hug as I was waiting for treatment last week and we talked like old friends. I wish going to the treatment center wasn't part of my routine, but the people there actually make it pleasant.
Here is a link to a local story about one of Dr. Kaplan's patients. Her original prognosis was 2 years, and it's now 18 years later. It was a good reality check of what CAN be and I related to many things that she said. You don't often hear the story of people living with Stage 4 Breast cancer (I also recently learned that not many research dollars go in to finding treatments for folks like us), and it's a story worth telling. It was also a good reminder that when I'm feeling sorry for myself, at least I don't have to drain one of my lungs everyday. Wow.
http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/stories-worth-sharing/2015/11/13/18-months-turns-
into-18-years-stage-4-cancer-survivor/75706164/
Other than "cancer stuff" we had a busy fall and like you, we've started getting ready for the holidays. I'm wishing for a little bit of snow, but not on a treatment day or any other time that it would be inconvenient!
Happy Holidays to All!
I did lose most of my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. I still have a little bit of hair in the back, so I've chosen to wear a lot of hats. They're more comfortable than a wig and the kids think it looks more natural.
Other (mostly annoying) side effects include watery eyes, dry mouth, some achiness, a metallic taste with many foods and drinks (even my favorite tea!), and I continue to give myself shots for my white blood cell count. And of course, the fatigue.
I also receive an IV steroid to combat nausea, which comes with it's own side effects.
All of this and not enough sleep have led to me being very cranky at times. James has also felt the stress of my treatment (and his work and travel). We're working on finding ways to reduce stress (like getting more rest, which neither of us are good at), so hopefully we'll start the new year feeling more like ourselves.
I was disappointed with my October scan because the tumors hadn't changed after 3 months on the new treatment. Stable is better than growth, but I thought there would be more progress. I am hoping that my recent cancer marker result means that there will be more changes on my next scan (in January). Dr. Kaplan did say that some patients stay stable for a year or more, and that's considered a good thing.
I'm frequently reminded how blessed I am to be at Swedish. Two nurses gave me a hug as I was waiting for treatment last week and we talked like old friends. I wish going to the treatment center wasn't part of my routine, but the people there actually make it pleasant.
Here is a link to a local story about one of Dr. Kaplan's patients. Her original prognosis was 2 years, and it's now 18 years later. It was a good reality check of what CAN be and I related to many things that she said. You don't often hear the story of people living with Stage 4 Breast cancer (I also recently learned that not many research dollars go in to finding treatments for folks like us), and it's a story worth telling. It was also a good reminder that when I'm feeling sorry for myself, at least I don't have to drain one of my lungs everyday. Wow.
http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/stories-worth-sharing/2015/11/13/18-months-turns-
into-18-years-stage-4-cancer-survivor/75706164/
Other than "cancer stuff" we had a busy fall and like you, we've started getting ready for the holidays. I'm wishing for a little bit of snow, but not on a treatment day or any other time that it would be inconvenient!
Happy Holidays to All!
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