Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson

I have been posting "happy" songs on my Facebook timeline every day for a while now. I call it the Pandemic Happiness challenge. It helps. I also started posting what I call cancer "fight songs" on chemo days. So far, I've posted the Rocky theme song and Eye of the Tiger. My next cancer fight song is going to be the one referenced above. I think it's an appropriate "kick cancer to the curb" song. Hope you take a listen and keep cancer patients in mind.

So, what is going on, cancer wise? This is my off week. My next session is Friday, July 24. Is it working? Who knows. Here is what I do know:

• I feel "weird" the first two or three days post chemo. It's almost like a painkiller hangover .... a bit loopy, a little out of sorts. Weird.
• I am taking hot baths almost daily now
• My "go-to" when I am feeling out of sorts
• The one tumor I can feel seems a bit smaller, but that could be wishful thinking
• I can still "feel" my liver, just not as much; I think that's a good thing

From a bloodwork perspective, my white blood cell counts are at 4.3 (4.8 is normal), the highest they have been since February. Oh, yeah! Red blood cell counts are low, so we need to keep on eye on those. Liver enzymes are holding steady in normal ranges. All in all, positive results.

I keep gaining weight. I am the heaviest I've ever been, including when I was about to pop out a baby! I feel bloated, fat, and overall disgusting. My clothes don't fit. Thank goodness I am working from home because my work clothes are either too small or I feel miserable in them. Definitely something to talk to Dr. Kocs about on Friday.

I am thinking about asking Dr, Kocs for a nutritionist and/or a holistic oncologist to compliment the chemo we are doing. I heard when the liver isn't functioning normally, then it can cause weight gain. Considering our main concern right now are the tumors in my liver, I can't help but wonder if they are playing a part into my new found obesity. I know my thyroid has been out of whack and we recently upped those meds. I go back in four weeks for another blood test to see if more tweaks are in order. It could be thyroid related. Regardless, I HATE IT!! The worst part? I am not even eating ice cream or homemade cookies .... and I continue to gain weight!!

I am finishing up a one week vacation. I didn't go anywhere, obviously. But I did try to get out in the mornings, walk, and take pictures. I had a great day today, photography subject wise. Here are a few I like:

 Paloma Lake path

My advise? Find whatever feeds your soul. Feed it often!

 Brushy Creek

A funky shot of the bottom of a bridge. I always look for funky.

 Brushy Creek

I gravitate toward water shots of any kind. I love waterfalls, even man-made ones.

Brushy Creek

Love shots where you get a mirror image in the reflection. This is one of my favorites. I might even print and hang this one.

PET Readout

Results

PET/CT scan

BISHOP, VICKI Exam Date: 06/29/2020 

PET - TUMOR IMAGING W/ CONCURRENT CT, SKULL BASE - MID THIGH: 6/29/2020 SKULL BASE TO MID THIGH PET/CT - CLINICAL HISTORY: Left breast carcinoma subsequent treatment strategy 

COMPARISON: PET/CT 05/01/2020, PET/CT 02/13/2020 FINDINGS: NECK: Visualized portions of the brain show normal metabolic activity. Brain parenchyma is normal in appearance. The orbits, intra and extraocular structures are normal. Visualized sinuses are well aerated, with no air fluid levels or abnormal activity. The salivary glands are symmetric, and have physiologic uptake. Oral cavity and pharynx are normal in appearance. Lymphoid tissues around the pharynges show normal uptake. Larynx is normal, and has physiologic uptake. The thyroid has normal parenchyma and normal physiologic uptake. CHEST: Scarring in the upper lobes bilaterally is stable. Ill-defined airspace opacity in the left upper lobe/lingula is again identified measuring 1.5 x 2.5 cm, previously 0.9 x 1.4 cm. Maximum SUV is 4.3, previously 1.5. No new pulmonary lesions. No pleural effusion, pleural mass, or pneumothorax is noted. No abnormal FDG activity is seen in the pleura. Esophagus is normal, and has physiologic uptake. The heart has normal metabolic activity. No evidence of pericardial effusion. Reference background activity (mediastinal blood pool): mean SUV is 2.0. ABDOMEN AND PELVIS: Previously measured hepatic lobe lesion 2.4 x 2.5 cm, previously 2.0 x 1.9 cm. Maximum SUV 15.4, previously 10.9. Lateral left hepatic lobe segment lesion, new maximum SUV 7.5. The pancreas is normal in appearance and has physiologic uptake, without mass or inflammatory change. The spleen demonstrates physiologic activity without splenomegaly or mass. The adrenals are normal, and have physiologic uptake. Physiologic FDG excretion is seen in the kidneys. No contour deforming masses, calculi, or hydronephrosis. Normal physiologic activity is seen in the bowel. No evidence of bowel obstruction. The reproductive organs are normal in appearance and activity. The bladder is normal. Reference background activity (liver): mean SUV is 2.8. LYMPH NODES: New lymphadenopathy * Anterior mediastinal lymph node 1.4 x 0.9 cm, maximum SUV 5.3 * Aortopulmonary window lymph node 1.1 x 1.3 cm, maximum SUV 4.9 * Right subpectoral lymph node 0.7 x 1.1 cm, maximum SUV 10.6 Prior lymphadenopathy * Left submandibular lymph node maximum SUV 10.2, previously 8.0 * Left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy maximum SUV 8.1, previously 6.6 * Porta hepatis node maximum SUV 29.8, previously 9.9 * Precaval lymph node maximum SUV 14.0, previously 4.5 BONES AND SURROUNDING SOFT TISSUES: Physiologic FDG uptake is seen in the bone marrow. There are no sclerotic or lytic lesions. PET/CT IMPRESSION: 1. Disease progression with new lymphadenopathy. 2. Previously characterized lymphadenopathy has progressed as well. 3. Progression of intrahepatic disease with enlarging lesion and new disease in the left hepatic lobe. 4. Ill-defined pulmonary opacity in the left upper lobe has enlarged and is more metabolically active. Findings are suspicious for neoplastic involvement in this clinical setting.

So .... what does this all mean? 😕

Yellow = Chest (new)

Blue = Liver

Green = Lymph Nodes

Pink = Overall Findings

Basically, what I've said in the previous post. Liver is growing; a second lesion on the liver, approximately one centimeter. Possible lung involvement in the chest (note: we've seen this; comes and goes. Could mean infection - I am on a ZPack now). New lymph node involvement.

In a word? Okay, a couple of words …. Cancer Sucks!! Not good results but could be worse. Let's hope the new chemo kicks some booty!!

You Should Be Dancing

You Should Be Dancing - Bee Gees

Those that have been following this blog, know that dancing makes me happy, keeps me sane during the crazy called cancer, and provides a form of exercise and personal entertainment during chemo. Check out the following video! Sent to me by a childhood friend via Facebook. Couldn't be more fitting!

Me During Chemo

Speaking of chemo, I started my new treatment on Thursday. Whee!! I am now on Eribulin in three week cycles: infusion on Friday for two weeks, then a week off. Rinse and repeat. 

I had no idea what to expect so I bring my chemo bag: socks for hands/feet in case we ice them, blanket cuz it is cold in there, charged phone so I can play games or listen to music, lip balm, hand lotion, hand sanitizer (Covid), my mask (Covid), water, wallet, and keys. I found I can probably leave most of it at home next time. Good! That sucker was a bit on the heavy side.

Chemo was uneventful. The ladies and gents still know who I am …. by name. I AM the chemo dancing queen, after all! I got a nurse I've had many times. She saw me and says "You're with me, Ms. Bishop" without me saying a word. First up, labs. Then I am off to see Hannah, my favorite PA.

Hannah brought in a new PA who was shadowing her. She introduced me as the chemo queen. That's right! I have continued to amaze the docs with blood levels, lack of side effects, etc. I did learn something new, but longtime suspected. Metastatic Lobular Carcinoma is difficult to treat. It is sneaky, resilient, and likes to have it's way with you. Mine is doing a pretty great job so far. Does that mean an automatic death sentence? Absolutely not! It just means we may have to go through several treatment options before we find something that works longer than 3 or 4 months. I am up to the challenge!

Back to infusion. I asked my nurse what is the process on this treatment. Twenty minutes of steroids, then anti-nausea push, then chemo push. The chemo push is about the size of a quarter inch in the syringe … small but provides a powerful punch; they push it slow, takes up to five minutes. I told my nurse I would not be dancing today because I wasn't sure about timing, what to expect, etc. Now I know …. I can get in 20 minutes! I also told my nurse that I post a cancer fight song for every chemo session, this week being the theme from Rocky:

The Theme From Rocky

I told her next week will be "Eye of the Tiger". So what does she do? Plays "Eye of the Tiger" for me while doing the chemo push! Made my day!!

After I am done with chemo, I am off to the Pharmacy for new anti-nausea meds. At first, I turned them down; I have a whole bottle that I've rarely used (twice in 9 months). My nurse encouraged me to get the new meds; they melt on your tongue and work quickly. The pharmacist told me I can take the new meds and if they aren't working, I can take my existing meds about 30 minutes later. OMG! Is this an omen of things to come? I told Dr. Kocs to give me something powerful …. without killing me. I asked for it!

Here is a list of the most common side effects from my new chemo:

• Risk of infection, includes fever and chills, painful urination, soar throat, cough or shortness of breath, stuffy or runny nose, swelling or redness of a wound, or changes in skin color
• Neuropathy or nerve problems, includes numbness in hands and feet, muscle cramps, loss of balance, less feeling of heat or cold in fingertips and toes, trouble hearing (hehe …. now I have an excuse!)
• Hair loss in about four weeks or so; I don't think I will dodge the hair loss bullet this time around
• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation

One of the less common side effects is loss of appetite. Believe it or not, I am already having that, along with the metallic taste in my mouth. Possible mouth sores, too. I have my mouth rinse my friend Jen said I would need at some point. I think we are there. I was also feeling nauseous yesterday and again this morning. Not enough to take meds (yet), but enough to pay attention.

It's gonna get real, folks!!

My next appointment is Friday, July 10. I WILL be dancing during the steroid drip next week! Should have my new dancing shoes by then (my new keds). One of the pairs I ordered is called "Happy Stripes". It fits my happiness mission these days.  Here is a picture:

Aren't they cute? They are screaming my name! I get them Tuesday!

I will post PET results before the weekend is out. I need to update my bloodwork spreadsheet as well as my tumor tracking spreadsheet first. See what project management does to a cancer patient? Stay tuned!