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.
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!
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