Had the CT scan and while I was waiting for them to release me, I got a visit from the nurse with a paper of information. Apparently, my kidney levels dropped below the threshold of 60 and since I had the CT scan I need repeat blood work in 48 hours.
Went to the family doctor on the 23rd for my B12 shot and while I was there I asked about my blood levels and they were 61...lots better. I knew the chemo was going to be rough on my kidneys but, they are working fine and I am drinking lots of fluids so...it was not something I was overly concerned about.
I also asked about the CT scan results and got a copy printed off for me. I got knocked flat...it was not news I was expecting or wanted to read about. I will admit to feeling a bit depressed and I didn't want to talk to anyone or see anyone...I sure didn't tell Rick about it. Yes, the cancer seems to be stable...yes, one of the tumors shrunk...but, there was mention of new spots. As usual, the technician who reads these things states that spreading cancer can't be ruled out. At least, there is still no cancer anywhere else...confined to my lungs.
Saw Dr. Keith (oncologist) on the 24th and we went over the CT results. He gave the impression that this was all good news which brought my mood up considerably. Bilateral lung nodules (cancer spots) not significantly changed or slightly smaller. The largest nodule in my left lung has shrunk from 7mm to 4mm. I think that is good news, don't you? The new spots he is attributing to a lung infection. I picked up a cold at the beginning of May and I have been unable to shake the coughing etc. No antibiotics as my system seems to be fighting it off my itself...no new spots...no new cancer! I am stable and the big spot is shrinking...no mention of the smaller spot.
So...we are doing another round of six treatments of chemo....no Carboplatin...only Pemetrexed...no anti-nausea drugs. Dr. Keith thinks I should handle the new chemo treatment a lot easier. We are starting at 80% dosage and see how I respond from there. We talked about targeted cancer treatment but, he doesn't think I am bad enough for that yet...nor, the drug trials. Good news! The new treatment sheet he gave me says, "This treatment is being given to keep the cancer from progressing, once it has been successfully controlled with an initial chemotherapy treatment". Yeehaw!!!
On the 25th I saw my replacement naturopath oncologist (Dr. Lindsay Adrian)...I like her! We went over the CT scan results and reading them from her perspective....the report talks about the cancer being stable...and oh by the way, it shrunk almost in half. Again, yeehaw!!! She prescribed a high dose of Echinacea to combat the lung infection and we continue the treatments as usual. Each time I have a chemo treatment I go in that day for LRHT and again on day 3 and day 5. I am back drinking Chaga tea...haven't been feeling very good up to now and not able to drink even normal tea. At least my dad is happy now!
My summer is back on hold again...we are missing a wedding this weekend because I am still not up to traveling....the chemo treatments won't affect the next two weddings but, we will have to see the calendar to find out about the fourth one.
So...good news for a change! Swimming in large circles, doing back flips and belly flops!
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