One Tired Puppy

The ever-popular post-decadron insomnia reared its ugly head last night.  I fell asleep after 4:30AM, and woke at 7AM.  On the plus side, I read two books last night. :)


My hands are getting a bit tingly today, and a little red, but I took my B6, and keep putting a ton of lotion on 'em, as directed.


I am really, really weak today.  The walker is my friend, and I have to remember NOT to get up from a sit too quickly.  I got horribly dizzy once today; I'd rather not repeat that, thank you. ;)


So, I found some stats for my type of clinical trial on the internet, though it's the British Phase I and II Trial stats.  These are definitely the numbers my oncologist quoted to me when he was reading up on it. It made for interesting reading.  If you can get through the regimen, the results are damned good.  But less than 35% of the subjects can make it through six rounds before the toxicity becomes too much for them. They lost one patient before they could even start the trial.  Most of the six round patients have made it to 10 months of survival.  I am currently at 11 months myself. :)   It would be QUITE lovely to get another ... oh... 10-20-... 60(!) more months.  Yep, I am optimistic.


If you want to see what's up with this trial, here are the stats from the British Trials


I got to speak with my manager today and told him I was SO ready to come back to work.  I am scheduled to be back on October 18th if I can get the OK from my oncologist.  Happily I can telecommute most days, but I surely would love to spend at least one day a week at the plant.  Gosh, I miss everyone so much.


Hugs to all, and remember that every day is a gift.  Just look for the wrapping paper and bows; you'll find 'em if you look!

A Visit with The Pulmo

My morning appointment with my pulmonologist, Dr. S, went very well.  He says despite my severe lung disease, they are holding up well through the chemo and the past radiation.  All's stable on the lung front, and thank the gods for that!

Dr. S says every time he sees me he is amazed at how well I seem to be tolerating the chemo.  I told him about the two new chemos and the clinical trial.  It's too early to tell but I did mention that the referral pains were gone, now.  I hope that's a good sign.

Left there, and decided that since I was up and dressed, and now hungry, I should stop and get some breakfast.  So, my sister Nancy and I went to Crackers and Co.  I had the California Eggs Benedict.  Oh, yes, some of my favorite things:  Avocado, eggs, bacon, and spinach!  While I can still eat, I relish things like this.  It was a great morning!

While I was there, Dr. S asked me how I was doing emotionally.  Boy, my doctors all seem very concerned about my emotional state!  I told him I was fine; that I had discussed hospice with Dr. F and my oncologist had said we still had options, so Dr. S was happy with my answer. :)  And, I don't see him again for six months, unless something comes up.

I will admit, though, that between the visit to the pulmonologist and the breakfast, I am exhausted.  I took the walker today; didn't use the scooter.  You know I want to stay on my own two feet for as long as I can.  And while it's certainly good for my psyche, and good for my physical well-being, walking does take its toll on me.

And on that note, I think I'll go see if I can't take a nap.  I didn't sleep well last night, so I can probably use a good forty winks or so.

Live long and prosper!

CT Results are In

So it wasn't all bad news, but it wasn't what I was hoping for, either.  The adrenal tumor is now at 5 cm. That's about 2 inches.  Dr. Fastenberg was disappointed that the chemo regimen we had been on wasn't helping.


On the esophageal cancer front, all seems to be stable.  The main tumor has not changed, the one lymph node behind my trachea enlarged minimally, and one located near my shoulder was unchanged.  But the good news there is that there was NOTHING NEW!!!! :)


Starting next week, I will be part of a stage II clinical trial of CPT-11, which is already approved and in use for breast cancer and colon/rectal cancer.  It's known as Camptosar.  That will be an IV infusion every three weeks, but additionally, I will be taking Xeloda pills.  It will be a trial in more ways than one, and so I will be taking three months of short term disability and see how that goes. 


I asked Dr. Fastenberg point blank if I should be considering hospice and he said not at all; we still have options, and I'm still doing pretty well.  I can still walk, kinda, I can still eat, kinda, and I've still got hope.


I was so stressed out this morning, I had an ocular migraine during my consult with Dr. F.  That was... kinda creepy, and because my hemoglobin was down to 8, I had to have a shot of Procrit.  Let us hope that works well, otherwise next time, it's a transfusion and I have to go to the hospital for that. 


I'm exhausted.  It's a lot of information to digest; but I still believe that I have a chance.  Dr. F says that this trial has a 47% success rate so far.  By success, 15% have eliminated their cancer and the other 32% have their cancer under control.  I will happily take control if that's as good as I can get.  There are only 29 people in this trial.  I will be number 30.  I like that number. :)  Why so few in the trial? Because both of my cancers are relatively rare, our numbers are few.


I will start the trial on the 19th, so I get a week to rest up get strong.  And generate some red and white blood cells!  And try not to get sick.


And so I'm hanging in here, and sending love and hugs to all. :)