Yesterday I had my first chemo/superdrug(?) treatment of Cycle 2. Each set of treatments is a "cycle", and there are three treatments per cycle, then I get a week off. The chemo drug is Taxol, made from the beeyoutiful Pacific Yew tree. Actually, its a synthetic version, but the original drug, found successful with breast cancer treatment, started a run on poaching of yew trees. Whole stands were cut down in the early 90s in southern Oregon before researchers could synthesize it. The "superdrug", if I am actually getting it (double-blind trial -- bah!), is supposed to work with the Taxol to get my immune system to respond to the cancer. Everyone keep your fingers crossed!
Side effects. Well, so far I haven't lost any more hair, and Dave swears some of the hair is coming back from the IL-2 treatment. The only real side effect is nausea. Well, I have nausea even if I'm not taking chemo, so I can handle that. The vomiting, though...ugh. The first couple of days after treatment, I'm doing OK, as they give me gooood anti nausea medication through the IV. On the 3rd day, however, it all starts coming back. Literally. I'll survive, though.
I've got a busy schedule coming up in the next week. On monday I go to my first counseling session. After struggling with depression over the past month, I decided it was time to look for some help. Sleeping on the couch all day, trying to hide from the world doesn't seem to make any of my problems go away. Go figure. Hopefully, by talking to someone outside the current situation, I can wrap my head around this thing I'm fighting, and find better ways to deal with it for myself, but also to help support Dave better emotionally.
The other thing that's happening next week is that I am going through minor surgery on Tuesday to have a central line port installed in my shoulder/chest area. I've gone through four chemo treatments, and each time the nurses have had a terrible time getting an IV into me, and I now have five bumps on my arms/hands where veins have collapsed from the IV. I've been told that the port will make things easier for the nurses, but also for me. I'm a bit nervous about it, because I'll have a tube connected into my big vein in my chest. But its what we have to do to make treatment easier.
Here's what wikipedia says http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port-a-Cath :
A port (often referred to by brand names such as Port-a-Cath or MediPort) is a central venous line that does not have an external connector; instead, it has a small reservoir that is covered with silicone rubber and is implanted under the skin. Medication is administered intermittently by placing a small needle through the skin, piercing the silicone, into the reservoir. When the needle is withdrawn the reservoir cover reseals itself. The cover can accept hundreds of needle sticks during its lifetime. It is possible to leave the ports in the patient's body for years, if this is done however, the port must be accessed monthly and flushed with an anti-coagulant, or the patient risks it getting plugged up. If it is plugged it becomes a hazard as a thrombosis will eventually form with an accompanying risk of embolisation. Removal of a port is usually a simple outpatient procedure, however installation is more complex and a good implant is fairly dependent on the skill of the Radiologist. Ports cause less inconvenience and have a lower risk of infection than PICCs, and are therefore commonly used for patients on long-term intermittent treatment.
Yick. But even if I have to find another clinical trial to go into, I'll still have more intravenous treatment, so its necessary to get this accomplished.
On Wednesday, I'm back to Portland. More treatment. Blah Blah Blah. Wash, Rinse, Repeat. I'll blog again perhaps tomorrow, and report on my time in Vancouver BC at the Society for American Archaeology conference 2 weeks ago. I had a blast!
Until next time! We just keep on keeping on. Keep the good thoughts coming, people!
Cheryl
2 comments:
Hey Cheryl! Good to hear (see?) your voice. I'm keeping those good thoughts headed your way.
Thanks, Diane! I keep telling myself to head over to Pullman, but haven't had time. I'll swing by the basement at some point!
...and keep those thoughts coming!
Cheryl
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