So I don't have much to update you on as far as my cancer story goes, but I do have something.
I went to the doctor yesterday to hear the results of my tests from Tuesday. To be honest, what he told me was a little underwhelming compared to all the anxiety and build up I had prior to getting the tests. He told me that my tumors had between 5 and 10% more shrinkage. That's not much, but it's at least an improvement. There was just a tiny bit of cell death to go along with it, but nothing remarkable really in any way. That's it. That's like all he told me. My dad was asking a ton of questions to reassure himself of everything, but we already knew all the answers. He'd asked them all before. My mom was actually there too and she just sat quietly, never even said a word. It was a little weird, but my dad was talking so much I'm surprised Dr. Tykodi even got his answers in.
So, here's the game plan. On Monday I go to the University of Washington Prostate Center (Yes, you read that correctly. They lump Kidney stuff in that department, which makes it awkward for young females such as myself.... especially walking in with my 55 yr old father, who I'm sure everyone would assume was the reason for our presence.) and I meet with Dr. Lin, who I've met once before. He is my surgeon. He's going to go over my scans and discuss his opinion about the surgery. There are so many ways this could all go and so many questions that I have.
For the most part though, it is sounding likely that in the next 2-3 weeks I'll be going in for surgery. Even though the idea of surgery is kinda making me freak out, I hope it is sooner rather than later. I am so ready to get this cancer out of me and move on with my life. Yes, I understand that I'll have to basically watch over my shoulder the rest of my life in case the cancer comes back, but this initial cancer, I want gone. I want to get a job and be independent again.
One cool thing though is that it is for certain I am no longer getting infusions of Avastin. It needs to be out of my system for when I have surgery because it makes it harder for the healing process to work. Also, after surgery, it is going to have no effect on my recovery, it'll be useless. I have a few more doses of Interferon to take, but I'm just about done taking that too. Again, I'll find out more from Dr. Lin on Monday.
On another note, I'm excited because the depression that cancer, and the drugs for cancer, brings has decided to hit the road. Perhaps not for good, but it feels different this time. When you discover you have cancer, your emotions are out of control. They can go in any direction. I have felt and have heard of a complicated array of emotions people go through. Everything takes a toll. Personal worth, spirituality, personal relationships, hygiene, dreams and aspirations. It completely affects every aspect of ones life. It is weird because I am the type of person who emotionally and intellectually has everything under control all the time. I'm a very sensible and practical person.
For a while right after I was diagnosed, I didn't feel much of a difference. I wasn't sure how I was supposed to be feeling having found out I had cancer. I was practical like always and had thoughts such as "Well, the doctors know what they are doing, it seems manageable, after just a bit of time, I'll be alright, no need to worry." This is kind of my approach to life in general. I don't get stressed or freak out about anything. Nothing I can't handle. Perhaps it's my faith in God, knowing that He is in control and since He loves me, no matter what happens, I'll be alright. Some days if I was feeling well enough, I had forgotten I had cancer. That is until someone else brought it up.
After a few months or so, especially after I started treatment, depression hit pretty hard. All those things I mentioned earlier felt like they came at once and they have stuck around. I won't go into the grisly details, but I've made things seem peppy on here. Even my sister who I share a room with probably wasn't aware really how bad it all was. Now, I won't say it's completely behind me, I've always struggled with it, but today feels like a new start. I don't know if it had to do with the sun shining so brightly today or what, but it is so welcome and I love it.
I'm excited to be motivated to do stuff and that I feel better about myself. I'm also excited that soon I'll be physically feeling well enough to do a LOT more stuff. Just a few weeks until the surgery, and then a month or so after that and I'll be as good as new!!
I'll definitely post again after I find things out Monday morning. Stay tuned!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
My body is shaped like positivity
I've been thinking a lot lately about my body. That may sound weird at first, but let me explain.
This is an old picture of me at my heaviest.
A year ago, I weighed 100 pounds more than I currently do. Before I knew I was sick, I was pretty excited about the weight loss. I thought I'd lost the weight because I stopped drinking soda and cut my portion sizes, which I'm sure is part of it. With hindsight, I know a lot of it was because of cancer. I was getting compliments from people at church and work, asking what my secret was. Come April and May, I was losing too much and knew something other than the few changes I'd made was going on. I felt awkward responding about my weight loss. I had been throwing up several times a day and hardly ever felt like eating because I knew it'd come back. It wasn't my fault. I definitely didn't do it on purpose.
At the beginning of last year, I did make those changes. I did really feel like something about 2010 was going to be different as far as my weight goes. I felt like part of my attitude had change and that I really could do it. Little did I know....
The further the year progressed, the more weight my body seemed to lose track of. Where is it going?! As I started my treatments for my cancer, my nausea got worse. I'm still struggling with it, but I almost stopped eating altogether. I'm down to one meal a day.. usually at night when my sister is home to cook for me. I decided recently to change that. I'm eating a meal a little earlier, like midday, and then I'll have a little something later on. I also have been drinking milk like crazy. My body and tastebuds are craving it like mad.
When most people lose weight, their body changes. I've gown down 5 pant sizes, (that's 10 digits)and like several shirt sizes as well. I still can't really believe the size of pants I wear. They look too small. This may sound weird again, but I was looking at my body today thinking how much it has, and hasn't, changed. My weight loss, yes, has been fat loss, but a huge chunk of it has also been muscle loss. I've been nauseated, tired, fatigued really, short of breath, ill, and depressed. All of these factors have lead to me basically sitting and lying around all the time. That's unfortunately become my life for almost the last 5 months.
In the Gospel Principles manual, lesson 27 is on work and responsibility. I was reading through it the other day, preparing for this next Sunday's lesson, and I came across something that struck a chord with me. "We should each find the proper balance between work, recreation, and rest. 'Doing nothing is the hardest work of all, because one can never stop to rest.' Without work, rest and relaxation have no meaning." I haven't been sleeping well. I've been having a bit of insomnia and reading that helped me see that because all I do is rest all day, my body is finding it hard to rest at night. Also, I need to find something to tie into the work and recreation balance of life. I definitely have the rest part down.
The way I look right now is ... ok but not ideal. I can tell where I can be, and that's exciting, but I know I have a long way to go to change lots of stuff. I watch weight loss shows, I'll admit. Biggest Loser has been a favorite of mine for a few years now, although certain dialogue on the show has me wearing thin. MTV just started a series called "I used to be fat" and I've watched that. It documents just graduated seniors and how they spend their summer before college working with a trainer to lose weight. A & E just premiered a series called "Heavy" and they've only had one episode but it's interesting. All three of these shows have the same dialogue. It seems all the contestants, or documentaries feel that the reason they "are fat" is because food made them feel good. The cameras always show the people putting greasy foods in their mouths. This is not my problem. I can go weeks without eating sweets or fast food. My problem is the exercise. Getting up and doing it.
Pain is weakness leaving the body. We've all heard that before, right? Pain definitely can't stop me. When Vlad is mad, I know it's because the drugs are killing and shrinking him. The other day during my shower (where I can usually have issues) I decided to push past it all, even though I didn't feel I could go on. I felt strengthened after that and decided no matter how crappy I'm feeling, to just keep going forward with the task at hand.
So, with that in mind, I've decided to do what I can while I'm still sick, making my body healthier. Then once I'm better, I can do my best to get this remaining weight off and strengthen my body. I started today by using the shake weight.
This is literally me today. Big difference hu?
Basically, I'm gonna have an awesome scar soon and need to look good so I can show it off. :)
This is an old picture of me at my heaviest.
A year ago, I weighed 100 pounds more than I currently do. Before I knew I was sick, I was pretty excited about the weight loss. I thought I'd lost the weight because I stopped drinking soda and cut my portion sizes, which I'm sure is part of it. With hindsight, I know a lot of it was because of cancer. I was getting compliments from people at church and work, asking what my secret was. Come April and May, I was losing too much and knew something other than the few changes I'd made was going on. I felt awkward responding about my weight loss. I had been throwing up several times a day and hardly ever felt like eating because I knew it'd come back. It wasn't my fault. I definitely didn't do it on purpose.
At the beginning of last year, I did make those changes. I did really feel like something about 2010 was going to be different as far as my weight goes. I felt like part of my attitude had change and that I really could do it. Little did I know....
The further the year progressed, the more weight my body seemed to lose track of. Where is it going?! As I started my treatments for my cancer, my nausea got worse. I'm still struggling with it, but I almost stopped eating altogether. I'm down to one meal a day.. usually at night when my sister is home to cook for me. I decided recently to change that. I'm eating a meal a little earlier, like midday, and then I'll have a little something later on. I also have been drinking milk like crazy. My body and tastebuds are craving it like mad.
When most people lose weight, their body changes. I've gown down 5 pant sizes, (that's 10 digits)and like several shirt sizes as well. I still can't really believe the size of pants I wear. They look too small. This may sound weird again, but I was looking at my body today thinking how much it has, and hasn't, changed. My weight loss, yes, has been fat loss, but a huge chunk of it has also been muscle loss. I've been nauseated, tired, fatigued really, short of breath, ill, and depressed. All of these factors have lead to me basically sitting and lying around all the time. That's unfortunately become my life for almost the last 5 months.
In the Gospel Principles manual, lesson 27 is on work and responsibility. I was reading through it the other day, preparing for this next Sunday's lesson, and I came across something that struck a chord with me. "We should each find the proper balance between work, recreation, and rest. 'Doing nothing is the hardest work of all, because one can never stop to rest.' Without work, rest and relaxation have no meaning." I haven't been sleeping well. I've been having a bit of insomnia and reading that helped me see that because all I do is rest all day, my body is finding it hard to rest at night. Also, I need to find something to tie into the work and recreation balance of life. I definitely have the rest part down.
The way I look right now is ... ok but not ideal. I can tell where I can be, and that's exciting, but I know I have a long way to go to change lots of stuff. I watch weight loss shows, I'll admit. Biggest Loser has been a favorite of mine for a few years now, although certain dialogue on the show has me wearing thin. MTV just started a series called "I used to be fat" and I've watched that. It documents just graduated seniors and how they spend their summer before college working with a trainer to lose weight. A & E just premiered a series called "Heavy" and they've only had one episode but it's interesting. All three of these shows have the same dialogue. It seems all the contestants, or documentaries feel that the reason they "are fat" is because food made them feel good. The cameras always show the people putting greasy foods in their mouths. This is not my problem. I can go weeks without eating sweets or fast food. My problem is the exercise. Getting up and doing it.
Pain is weakness leaving the body. We've all heard that before, right? Pain definitely can't stop me. When Vlad is mad, I know it's because the drugs are killing and shrinking him. The other day during my shower (where I can usually have issues) I decided to push past it all, even though I didn't feel I could go on. I felt strengthened after that and decided no matter how crappy I'm feeling, to just keep going forward with the task at hand.
So, with that in mind, I've decided to do what I can while I'm still sick, making my body healthier. Then once I'm better, I can do my best to get this remaining weight off and strengthen my body. I started today by using the shake weight.
This is literally me today. Big difference hu?
Basically, I'm gonna have an awesome scar soon and need to look good so I can show it off. :)
Monday, January 3, 2011
The Bucket List
It is the new year and generally a time when people reflect on life and what they'd like to improve. Well, these days I am always thinking there could be an improvement. I thought it would be fun to actually type out my bucket list. Some are specifically for this calendar year, others are just over the course of my lifetime.
1. Have a kidney removed
2. Get healthier
3. Exercise to stay healthy
4. Get a job
5. Make savings to travel
6. Go on a date
7. Travel to London
8. Go to a Disney theme park
9. Do sessions in as many temples as possible
10. Record music I've written
11. Go skydiving
12. Learn to really play the guitar
13. Get married in the temple
14. Have kids
15. Be in the audience for a taping of Ellen
16. Visit L.A.
17. Be financially stable
18. Publish a Novel
19. Perform for a large audience
20. Visit Boston in the Fall
Well, I am sure there is plenty more that I will eventually add to this list, but for now it's a good start.
1. Have a kidney removed
2. Get healthier
3. Exercise to stay healthy
4. Get a job
5. Make savings to travel
6. Go on a date
7. Travel to London
8. Go to a Disney theme park
9. Do sessions in as many temples as possible
10. Record music I've written
11. Go skydiving
12. Learn to really play the guitar
13. Get married in the temple
14. Have kids
15. Be in the audience for a taping of Ellen
16. Visit L.A.
17. Be financially stable
18. Publish a Novel
19. Perform for a large audience
20. Visit Boston in the Fall
Well, I am sure there is plenty more that I will eventually add to this list, but for now it's a good start.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Celebrating the Season
Merry Christmas everyone!!
I thought it'd be a nice time to update a little. So the 22nd and 23rd I didn't feel well at all. In fact, all day the 23rd I slept. I couldn't keep my eyes open for longer than 10 minutes. Luckily I was feeling a lot better Christmas eve and day. A little tired but not too bad. :)
Christmas eve at about 2 oclock I went to my parents house and my aunts and uncles and cousins started coming over. Lots of food (not a formal dinner or anything, but lots of good munchiness.) My cousin, her husband, my uncle and I played a new card game. Anyone ever heard of "Up the river, down the river"? I guess it's a little like pinochle. At like 530 or so we opened presents. Got new gloves, a vanilla oil scented thingie and $50! It was good to see all the family. There was at one time 22 people in that tiny house. I still don't know how we all fit.
Christmas Day, I woke up at 4am. I don't know why, it was annoying and I couldn't get back to sleep. Well, at 11, my sister and I went back to my parents house. Two of my cousins came over at 11 too. My parents are raising their younger brother, so in a way my parents are their secondary parents. (Unfortunately both of their parents have passed away in the last two years.) So, it was a MUCH smaller crowd Christmas morning. My oldest brother was spending the morning down at his girlfriends, so we ended up Skype-ing him at one point. It was kinda fun! There was a TON of food today too, but that's because it was the left overs from the night before. haha I think my parents still have a giant bowl of pasta salad and half a pyrex dish of taco dip.
Well, then we opened presents. The way my family does it is one to two presents are opened at a time and everyone watches and we oogle and ogle a bit over what they got before the next ones are handed out. Part of the joy of Christmas for me is being able to see what others get. I haven't purchased Christmas presents in several years, unfortunately, but I still love to see what others get. My grandma got a nice footstool from my brother. I received 19 pairs of very colorful socks. hahaha some are fuzzy, some are ankle socks, but they are all very easy to mix and match. My brother got me a pillow. But not just an ordinary pillow, one that you can plug an mp3 player into and have music come through the pillow to lull you to sleep. (Now I just need an mp3 player...) I also received two scarves, a hat, some feminine clothing.... a new sweater AND a Dick's t-shirt. (For those that aren't from Seattle, Dick's is a burger joint here, very iconic, good, and you have to have a tshirt! All the cool kids do anyway.) I got a weird dog back scrub loofa thing. It's hard to describe. I think that's it... Anyhow, pretty cool.
After all that excitement, my sister and I just hung around the folks place all day. We spent most of our time on my parents bed. I know that sounds weird, but it's the most comfortable place in the house. We watched a cheesy hallmark christmas movie and a holiday tv special thing, also some basketball and football was watched of course. :) Plus the whole time I was in there, I got to cuddle with one of my cats.
Oh my grandma got my mom a brand new printer for her computer. She was so excited about that because hers has been stupid for far too long. I already have a project in mind once it's set up.
So, it was a very good Christmas and I loved being able to spend lots of time with so much of my family. I hope you all had a great holiday season as well. :) Next up, my birthday!!! Ok, that's still a few weeks away, but still.....
I thought it'd be a nice time to update a little. So the 22nd and 23rd I didn't feel well at all. In fact, all day the 23rd I slept. I couldn't keep my eyes open for longer than 10 minutes. Luckily I was feeling a lot better Christmas eve and day. A little tired but not too bad. :)
Christmas eve at about 2 oclock I went to my parents house and my aunts and uncles and cousins started coming over. Lots of food (not a formal dinner or anything, but lots of good munchiness.) My cousin, her husband, my uncle and I played a new card game. Anyone ever heard of "Up the river, down the river"? I guess it's a little like pinochle. At like 530 or so we opened presents. Got new gloves, a vanilla oil scented thingie and $50! It was good to see all the family. There was at one time 22 people in that tiny house. I still don't know how we all fit.
Christmas Day, I woke up at 4am. I don't know why, it was annoying and I couldn't get back to sleep. Well, at 11, my sister and I went back to my parents house. Two of my cousins came over at 11 too. My parents are raising their younger brother, so in a way my parents are their secondary parents. (Unfortunately both of their parents have passed away in the last two years.) So, it was a MUCH smaller crowd Christmas morning. My oldest brother was spending the morning down at his girlfriends, so we ended up Skype-ing him at one point. It was kinda fun! There was a TON of food today too, but that's because it was the left overs from the night before. haha I think my parents still have a giant bowl of pasta salad and half a pyrex dish of taco dip.
Well, then we opened presents. The way my family does it is one to two presents are opened at a time and everyone watches and we oogle and ogle a bit over what they got before the next ones are handed out. Part of the joy of Christmas for me is being able to see what others get. I haven't purchased Christmas presents in several years, unfortunately, but I still love to see what others get. My grandma got a nice footstool from my brother. I received 19 pairs of very colorful socks. hahaha some are fuzzy, some are ankle socks, but they are all very easy to mix and match. My brother got me a pillow. But not just an ordinary pillow, one that you can plug an mp3 player into and have music come through the pillow to lull you to sleep. (Now I just need an mp3 player...) I also received two scarves, a hat, some feminine clothing.... a new sweater AND a Dick's t-shirt. (For those that aren't from Seattle, Dick's is a burger joint here, very iconic, good, and you have to have a tshirt! All the cool kids do anyway.) I got a weird dog back scrub loofa thing. It's hard to describe. I think that's it... Anyhow, pretty cool.
After all that excitement, my sister and I just hung around the folks place all day. We spent most of our time on my parents bed. I know that sounds weird, but it's the most comfortable place in the house. We watched a cheesy hallmark christmas movie and a holiday tv special thing, also some basketball and football was watched of course. :) Plus the whole time I was in there, I got to cuddle with one of my cats.
Oh my grandma got my mom a brand new printer for her computer. She was so excited about that because hers has been stupid for far too long. I already have a project in mind once it's set up.
So, it was a very good Christmas and I loved being able to spend lots of time with so much of my family. I hope you all had a great holiday season as well. :) Next up, my birthday!!! Ok, that's still a few weeks away, but still.....
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The next game plan
Alright, well, I have lots to update on, so here I go.
Tuesday I had CT scans done and Wednesday I found out the outcome and whats next on my plate. We were hoping the tumor had shrunk enough with my treatment so that Dr. Lin would be ok with doing surgery in a few weeks. It turns out this is not the case. I have to do 8 more weeks of treatment before getting more scans. This means 4 IVs of the Bevacizumab and the tri-weekly shots of Interferon for the next 8 weeks. Now, the good news I guess is that there is no visible spread of the cancer and the tumors have indeed shrunk. Not by much though. In order to be good for the surgery, the Dr.s were hoping it to be down 30-50%. It's only shrunk about 10%. Since I have the paperwork next to me, let me read you the dimensions.
Kidney: 10.2 x 8.5 x 9.7 cm
Previously: 11.1 x 8.5 x 10.6 cm
Lymphnodes: 10.0 x 11.3 x 15.2 cm
Previously: 10.3 x 12.1 x 17.2 cm
So, they're still big. Dr. Tykodi said that it could be possible the tumors don't really go down much more, but we're just not sure at this point. If we get down to 25%, there's a good chance we could do surgery then.
Well, after hearing this news, my dad and I went to fill my Interferon prescription so that I could do it at home. That'll be different. We then went to infusion so I could start my next round of Bevacizumab. They heated up my arms for quite some time and then started with the needles. My nurse tried, and it hurt, but it didn't work. Then our expert came in and she tried but it didn't work. She then tried another spot and got the IV in. I tell ya, it all still hurts.
I was watching Ellen as they did that and then I had to wait for the drug to arrive. They wait until the needle is in before ordering it from the pharmacy. We waited and waited. My dad went downstairs outside to have a smoke and I just watched Oprah. At 4:10, the entire buildings power went out. Well, so much for watching the tv. Nurses were going everywhere to check on everyone, people were searching for flashlights, it was crazy. A few back up generator lights came on but it was still pretty dark. We found out the nurse call buttons aren't on with the generator system.
My dad came back and told me what had happened. He was standing out on the street when he heard a loud boom. To his left, a giant manhole cover came shooting several feet into the air. Then, there was another loud boom and another manhole cover went flying. Smoke started pouring out of it. Then all the lights went out. Seattle City Lights said about 450 customers went dark. This also meant all street lights in that grid were out. Mind you, it's now rush hour and one of the busiest intersections in Seattle no longer has street lights. Police had to rush to the scene to direct traffic.
My nurse brought my drug in, thankfully already mixed and ready to go. The pharmacy had no power at all. At least in infusion we had some back up power. My dad was afraid of the traffic getting onto the freeway, but when we left getting on wasn't that big a deal.
So, there you have it. I kinda feel like I'm back to the drawing board, but at least I'm moving forward with this all. Now we just wait again until February 8th for my next scans. Thank you all for your continued support.
-Mallory
Tuesday I had CT scans done and Wednesday I found out the outcome and whats next on my plate. We were hoping the tumor had shrunk enough with my treatment so that Dr. Lin would be ok with doing surgery in a few weeks. It turns out this is not the case. I have to do 8 more weeks of treatment before getting more scans. This means 4 IVs of the Bevacizumab and the tri-weekly shots of Interferon for the next 8 weeks. Now, the good news I guess is that there is no visible spread of the cancer and the tumors have indeed shrunk. Not by much though. In order to be good for the surgery, the Dr.s were hoping it to be down 30-50%. It's only shrunk about 10%. Since I have the paperwork next to me, let me read you the dimensions.
Kidney: 10.2 x 8.5 x 9.7 cm
Previously: 11.1 x 8.5 x 10.6 cm
Lymphnodes: 10.0 x 11.3 x 15.2 cm
Previously: 10.3 x 12.1 x 17.2 cm
So, they're still big. Dr. Tykodi said that it could be possible the tumors don't really go down much more, but we're just not sure at this point. If we get down to 25%, there's a good chance we could do surgery then.
Well, after hearing this news, my dad and I went to fill my Interferon prescription so that I could do it at home. That'll be different. We then went to infusion so I could start my next round of Bevacizumab. They heated up my arms for quite some time and then started with the needles. My nurse tried, and it hurt, but it didn't work. Then our expert came in and she tried but it didn't work. She then tried another spot and got the IV in. I tell ya, it all still hurts.
I was watching Ellen as they did that and then I had to wait for the drug to arrive. They wait until the needle is in before ordering it from the pharmacy. We waited and waited. My dad went downstairs outside to have a smoke and I just watched Oprah. At 4:10, the entire buildings power went out. Well, so much for watching the tv. Nurses were going everywhere to check on everyone, people were searching for flashlights, it was crazy. A few back up generator lights came on but it was still pretty dark. We found out the nurse call buttons aren't on with the generator system.
My dad came back and told me what had happened. He was standing out on the street when he heard a loud boom. To his left, a giant manhole cover came shooting several feet into the air. Then, there was another loud boom and another manhole cover went flying. Smoke started pouring out of it. Then all the lights went out. Seattle City Lights said about 450 customers went dark. This also meant all street lights in that grid were out. Mind you, it's now rush hour and one of the busiest intersections in Seattle no longer has street lights. Police had to rush to the scene to direct traffic.
My nurse brought my drug in, thankfully already mixed and ready to go. The pharmacy had no power at all. At least in infusion we had some back up power. My dad was afraid of the traffic getting onto the freeway, but when we left getting on wasn't that big a deal.
So, there you have it. I kinda feel like I'm back to the drawing board, but at least I'm moving forward with this all. Now we just wait again until February 8th for my next scans. Thank you all for your continued support.
-Mallory
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Quick Update
Just thought I'd give a brief update. I've been feeling really good lately. I kept on waiting for the drugs side affects to kick in but aside from extreme fatigue, and some colds, I didn't notice a thing. I had my last shot of Interferon on Friday. This Tuesday I go in for CT scans and a few other tests. On Wednesday is when I will see Dr. Tykodi and he will let me know if the tumors have shrunk and whether they think I'm good to go to surgery. I really really really hope that this is the case. I'm hoping that the beginning of January is when I'll have my surgery and that I can start the process of moving forward after having cancer. There are still so many unknowns, I am just super anxious. So, I'll let you know Wednesday what I find out.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Halfway There
Hello bloggers! I've finally given in so that I will write a new blog post. It has been a little while, hu?
Let's see, the last time you heard from me, I was just starting my treatments. I have now had two doses of the Avastin and am about to go in today for my 7th shot of Interferon. Last Monday they upped the Interferon from 300 millions to 600. Today I believe it will be going up to 900. Unless the doctor really feels like it's necessary, I will not be going up to the highest dosage, which is 1200. I've been doing pretty well on the drugs so far, so perhaps I might go up to 1200. I haven't noticed differences with the drugs really except that I am more tired and the last few days I've been extremely nauseated. I have pills for the nausea, but I feel they don't do much unless I take two at a time, and even then. Another thing is I've really lost my appetite. I mean, I haven't had much of one for a while, but it's practically not even there anymore. How can you have an appetite when the thought of food makes you more nauseated than you already are? Ugh, not fun.
I've definitely been able to know the infusion people well over the last few weeks. I know the system, I know the rooms, and I know quite a few people. My mom was even able to take me the other day and so I showed her around the SCCA. I was having issues with a certain nurse (i believe I mentioned her before) and how she bugged me and wasn't nice with the needles but my dad mentioned it the other day and we were able to get a new nurse. Wednesday I go in again for my next IV so we'll see how the new nurse does with finding my veins... No matter what I do, it's still near impossible to find them and I end up like a pincushion.
So, just two more IVs, and a few more weeks of shots and then I'll go back in for CT scans. That'll happen the 14th of December and I'll know about if/when my surgery is on the 15th. If it looks good enough to operate, expect that right after new years. Hopefully it will be a calm Christmas. Hmmmm hopefully I'll have an appetite for Thanksgiving.....
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, it is EXTREMELY difficult sitting in this house day after day and having no social life. Sometimes it's hard to get out of bed because I have to open my eyes and see the same four walls again. But, only a little longer and then this shall pass. Thanks!
-Malfoy (my nickname, penned today in honor of HP: Deathly Hallows Part 1 coming out this week!)
Let's see, the last time you heard from me, I was just starting my treatments. I have now had two doses of the Avastin and am about to go in today for my 7th shot of Interferon. Last Monday they upped the Interferon from 300 millions to 600. Today I believe it will be going up to 900. Unless the doctor really feels like it's necessary, I will not be going up to the highest dosage, which is 1200. I've been doing pretty well on the drugs so far, so perhaps I might go up to 1200. I haven't noticed differences with the drugs really except that I am more tired and the last few days I've been extremely nauseated. I have pills for the nausea, but I feel they don't do much unless I take two at a time, and even then. Another thing is I've really lost my appetite. I mean, I haven't had much of one for a while, but it's practically not even there anymore. How can you have an appetite when the thought of food makes you more nauseated than you already are? Ugh, not fun.
I've definitely been able to know the infusion people well over the last few weeks. I know the system, I know the rooms, and I know quite a few people. My mom was even able to take me the other day and so I showed her around the SCCA. I was having issues with a certain nurse (i believe I mentioned her before) and how she bugged me and wasn't nice with the needles but my dad mentioned it the other day and we were able to get a new nurse. Wednesday I go in again for my next IV so we'll see how the new nurse does with finding my veins... No matter what I do, it's still near impossible to find them and I end up like a pincushion.
So, just two more IVs, and a few more weeks of shots and then I'll go back in for CT scans. That'll happen the 14th of December and I'll know about if/when my surgery is on the 15th. If it looks good enough to operate, expect that right after new years. Hopefully it will be a calm Christmas. Hmmmm hopefully I'll have an appetite for Thanksgiving.....
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, it is EXTREMELY difficult sitting in this house day after day and having no social life. Sometimes it's hard to get out of bed because I have to open my eyes and see the same four walls again. But, only a little longer and then this shall pass. Thanks!
-Malfoy (my nickname, penned today in honor of HP: Deathly Hallows Part 1 coming out this week!)
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