Monday, February 16, 2009

Yes, It Is Still Growing

The CT results show that my tumors are indeed, still growing. Starting chemo on Friday. We will do two cycles, then check for a response and then decide whether to continue. If there is a response, we will do chemo for 6 months. If no response, we will switch chemos (so still do chemo, just a different one, so no idea how long that would be). The fellow (who was super nice today) said that I will probably lose my hair this time--not all at once, but by the end of a 6-month regimen I'll be bald. (During the summer, so at least my head won't be cold.) There is also a greater risk of infection with this chemo than the last one, partly because I have already done chemo once. She actually told me that if Captain Adorable gets sick and has a runny nose, I should let some one else wipe it or wear rubber gloves! Of course, if I get some kind of infection during chemo, I will likely end up in the hospital and goodness knows I do not want that.

So, the regimen we've agreed to looks like this: Day One is IV administration of a drug called Oxaliplatin. I also take a pill form of a drug called 5FU on day one and for the next 13 days (so, 14 days altogether). Then a week of no drugs, then day 22 is day one again. So, two cycles would be six weeks. Six weeks. Then another CT and then a decision of some sort--continue this regimen or switch to a different drug combo.

Hopefully the cancer will either stop growing or shrink. Either of those would be considered a good result.

Going to the dentist tomorrow. Blah. Going to bed now. Mmmmmmmmm...

5 comments:

Mandie said...

Thinking positive thoughts for you. ((hugs))

Anonymous said...

My FIL was on Oxiplation (not sure that is the spelling) and I vaguely remember a bad reaction to drinking either hot or cold drinks? Did they tell you about that reaction?

Take care....

Anonymous said...

(((hugs))) I think about you all the time.

Anonymous said...

Always thinking of you!!!
What can we do for you?
Sending the best of thoughts your way.

Anonymous said...

We don't know each other, I found your blog though links on other peoples' blogs.

Know that lots and lots of people are wanting you to be well. I hope that this chemo works for you.

Have faith, everything happens for a reason. (my grandma always says this, and it is a saying that gives me a lot of comfort)