10th Chemo

Happy New Year! 

This week I traveled to Mayo to begin the new treatment regiment. It started with a COVID adventure. I showed up for COVID test #13 and the order was not in the system. Typically, this is not a problem and the check in person just puts it in. This time, there was a new person and she was clear she could not put it in. But she did the right thing and called her supervisor. The supervisor took a little while but finally got it resolved. The results were......negative. Shocking! LOL!

My X-ray went well. The pain is mainly from the cancer and the pressure it is putting on my lung and hearts as well as some arthritis. 

Blood work came back within the range to get treatment, yay! I met with the doctor and his fellow. The cough, shortness of breath, and pain is all from the cancer. He is going to order me a prescription for cough medicine, especially so I can sleep at night. He also encouraged me to use the pain meds when it gets intense....in order words, don't be a hero! He is going to add one more doctor to my team, which is a palliative care doctor. He was quick to clarify this is not hospice! The palliative care doctor's role is to help me through the physical and mental effects of the treatment. 

I have been approved to move forward with the new immunotherapy. The side effects of the two drugs are very similar to the last drugs. These drugs are more potent. As the doctor says, we want to be as aggressive as possible. He says he is proud of me and the fight I am putting in. He knows it is not easy and is empathetic to my side effects as well as very hopeful. I will do two rounds with him to ensure everything is going well and then he will work with my local oncologist to move the infusions where I live so we can reduce the traveling. Traveling does impact me a lot from a fatigue standpoint as well as the increased amount of walking I have to do. Walking is challenging for me because I get short of breath quickly, especially with a mask on and it also increases my coughing.

It was a very long day and we did not get home until late. Unfortunately, the side effects began a little quicker with this treatment but maybe that means they will go quicker! I remain ever hopeful.

For tonight . . . I'm just sayin' XOXO