What's in a Title?

Hi Everyone!! 

 I thought I was being clever by using song titles for my recent posts that helped describe the topic. I include a link to the song that inspired the title, along with the name of the artist. However, I recently found out that most of my readers didn't catch on. I guess I am not so clever after all! And I thought I was "all that"; it's always good to knock me off my pedestal for a bit. It keeps me humble.

 Now that you know, maybe you want to take a listen to the songs I reference.

 I bring this up because in my latest post I included a short six minute film called "Behind the Mask" instead of a song. I felt it was very fitting for the post and a thought provoking and inspiring film. I loved it and had hoped others will enjoy it as much as I did. But most didn't even know it was there. Sorry for not being more forth coming. Never assume, right? 

 I want to continue this trend to not only give you a look as to what is going on in my fight against cancer, but also start it off with a little "treat". Going forward, it may be a song, a comedy sketch, a short film, an inspirational poster. Just a little something extra. I hope you enjoy my little treats going forward. Here is a sample of what I am referring to: 

Jeanne Robertson: Don't Flash the Bellman

Jeanne Robertson: The Toothpick Man

Bring Me to Life and Don't Give Up On Me

 Evanescence - Bring Me to Life  August 14

This is the song I play when I feel like flipping off certain people or the world in general. I picked this as my chemo song for Friday ... cuz I really want to flip off cancer!!

So the last word on the cancer battle is I was on antibiotics because my white blood cell count was elevated, along with ANC, typically indicative of an infection. Well, labs came back negative. I stopped the antibiotics after two days.

I meet with Rachel again. My ankles are still a bit swollen. We drop the steroids down to 2 or 2.5. Rachel talked about a possible diuretic for three days to help the swelling. I suggested that we wait until after we drop the steroids and do the PET on the 28th, then reassess. She agreed.

My throat started hurting right before going to my appointment. They take this stuff very seriously. I had to wait in the lobby until I was cleared to go up. Rachel checked my throat and saw stuff consistent with sinus drainage from allergies causing the sore throat. I am to gargle with salt water to help. I take Tylenol when I get home and it goes away. 

Blood results are not posted still, but Rachel did tell me my white blood cells were down to 5, still in normal range. Red blood cells improving. I am not anemic. Liver enzymes are great. Off to do steroids and chemo. 

Another session down. I feel fine. Onward!

Cathy came in for a visit! Don't worry - she self quarantined for two weeks before heading my way. Cathy helped me hang family pictures in my office. Actually, I watched Cathy hang family pictures in my office. My job was to find suitable pictures and frames. It looks great! We play cards, read, and just overall relax. Mike was stellar in the kitchen with enchiladas and pulled pork. Heaven! Cathy treated us to dinner Monday night before heading home on Tuesday (no, we didn't go out ... pick picked up). All in all a great visit! I also go a homemade cobbler out of the deal.

Andy Grammer - Don't Give Up on Me  August 21

I am finishing up cycle three today. Yeah! I made it! I see Josh today (aka Duggie Houser). My weight is down by a couple of pounds. Also, no swelling in the ankles. Lowering the steroids is already helping. I am noticing that I am more nauseous, but still not requiring medication. I told him let's still with the 2 to 2.5 for now. Maybe we will go off them completely soon. 

Josh told me to be sure to let them know if I make any major diet changes or something. He knows I want to lose about 15 pounds. They get concerned when you start dropping weight. I told him my plan was to go for 2 to 3 pounds a month at the most. Change my diet, exercise program to something sustainable; don't try to lose it all too fast, only to gain it back ... and more ... later.

We go over the bloodwork. White blood cell counts are up to 7.5, still normal. Red blood cells in normal range. Liver enzymes are good. Calcium is low but nothing to worry about. All in all, chemo queen continues to handle this stuff like a boss!!

I go to ARC early Thursday morning for thyroid labs (they have been trending low; we adjusted the dose; checking to see if we need to up it again - cancer plays havoc on how your body handles thyroid hormones). We do a PET on Friday at 8 AM, then head to Texas Oncology for labs to check tumor markers. I should have results Monday or Tuesday. I will ask if I can do a telemed visit with Dr. Kocs on results instead of having to wait a week.

I think this stuff is working, but I don't know how much. The one tumor I can feel is going down but it seems to have regained some ground during my off week. I am feeling my liver more these days, which typically means it is swollen and angry. Well, I'm angry too because of the two spots on the liver. Those are the suckers that we are most worried about these days and we have to get a handle on it. Hoping we don't have new tumors sneaking in again. I hate cancer!!

Send positive thoughts my way on August 28!!

Don't Stop

Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac

Chemo song for this week is Don't Stop by Fleetwood Mac. I think it is quite fitting for the battle I'm fighting. One day at a time; one step at a time. Looking ahead to tomorrow.

 I am feeling empowered these days. I'm not sure why ... maybe it's the good blood work results? Maybe it's the way I am continuing to sail through this chemo with minimal side effects?

Regardless, I went trolling for some inspirational saying to reflect how I feel and the mindset I need to keep to win this battle. I hope some of these inspire you as well.

Now onto some news you can use! I met with Dr. Kocs last week before my blood work. I mention this only to relate that we did not discuss the results. Here is a glimpse of our relationship:

Dr. Kocs, entering the exam room:  Bishop!

Me: Kocs!

Dr. Kocs: Staying out of trouble?

Me: No!

Dr. Kocs: Typical. My plan is to finish the third cycle then do a PET on August 28th. Don't spoil my plan!

Me: Wouldn't think of it.

We chat about the treatment, how I am handling chemo. I told him I am getting fat, weigh more now than ever and my clothes don't fit, without the benefit of ice cream and cookies! He lowered the steroids from 10 ml to 4! Hope it helps!

For the first time in forever, I did not stress lab results. I didn't even bother the nurses to load them to the patient portal, knowing that we tested for tumor markers. I was calm, cool, collected all week. For those of you that know me and results, this is a definite departure. I typically stress until I see them, especially when checking tumor markers to see how this treatment is doing. Results were finally posted on Thursday. Ready for the results? Here goes:

Tumor Markers compared to early June:

CA 15-3        37.8 from 42.5 

CA 27-29     75.2 from 90.3 

CEA             1.6 from 1.4 (normal range)

Blood cell counts:

WBC                   5 from 4.3 (within normal; it's been 7 months)  

RBC                    3.6 from 3.42 (low)

Neutrophil           2.5 from 2.2 (normal)

Liver enzymes are all within normal ranges. Needless to say, I was happy with the results. I wish tumor markers were down more, but the good news is they ARE going down. I suspect we will test tumor markers again when I go in on August 14 (next week is my off week - no chemo).

Blood results from yesterday have not been posted yet but I did go over them with the PA, Rachel. A couple of things to note:

WBC count is up again, to 9.5. Yay! Not so fast. This is an alarming jump in just a week. Also Neutrophil was high (ANC). This is typically indicative of an infection. Definitely something we need to check out. Rachel ordered a urine test and it came back with bacteria and white blood cells. They are doing a culture over the next few days to get more information. Meanwhile, I am on a twice a day antibiotic until we know more. 

Rachel listened to my heart and lungs. All sound great! I did mention that my feet and ankles feel a bit swollen. She agreed. It could be that I am retaining water, again caused by the steroids. She isn't too alarmed as my left and right seemed to mirror one another. She would be more concerned if one foot/ankle were swollen and the other was not. Regardless, something we are going to watch. One of the things Rachel suggested and will add to the notes is that we may want to drop steroids down to 2 on the 14th if I continue to handle the chemo without nausea and vomiting. Possibly eliminate the steroids altogether, as with this chemo it is mainly to ward off nausea. Note: I do have some nausea almost daily, but not the point where I am getting sick and not to the point where I am taking any of the medication I have for nausea. I do carry around the dissolve on your tongue nausea meds in my purse, just in case. Nothing is being taken for granted.

After I get home from chemo yesterday, I get a call from my BCBS nurse, Esther. I love Esther! I told her how I was doing and that we have a PET slated for the end of August. She will call me next week or the week after to see if they have submitted the order for approval. I suspect they won't do that until next week at the earliest because the approvals are only good for 30 days. Regardless, Esther will be on the case and make sure we get approvals quickly. I thank God for bringing me Esther, as it is always nice to have another tool in my belt, another person in my corner.

I must say, I am feeling very well taken care of by my medical team. And to add that I have an advocate from my insurance company? Who would have thought I would have an advocate from the insurance company?!  I am very, very blessed. God is good!