Lucky Chemo 13?
What has happened to my life that chemo is so ordinary that I don't even tell anyone? All these medical appointments have become my routine -- just go, sans hoopla, and get on with it. So Thursday I started my new regime. One the menu? Carboplatin. But because I have reached my lifetime limit for Taxol, a new drug called Doxorubicin. And as a special bonus, I get to go home with a bionic leech! Because my body is worn down from 2 previous series of chemo I have a new friend -- Neulasta. 28 hours after chemo this lovely new appliance will give me a 45 minute infusion to boost my white blood count.
All that went without incident and I thought I was in the clear. But oh no, CINV (chemo-induced nausea and vomiting) hit with a vengeance. I was throwing up all weekend. After many doses of Ondansetron, Ativan, and THC, I finally got my tummy to settle just in time to keep me out of ER needing IV fluids. Thank you, Angelo, for checking in on me. I am hoping all this urping was a one-time event. A huge thank you to Alex and Maria for bringing yummy food and getting me back to eating. I am grateful.
Before this chemo I had post-op appointments with Oncologist and Surgeon. There were no surprises. They removed 10 lymph nodes, 7 of which were cancerous. Two from my pelvis and the rest in my upper abdomen, by my pancreas and my aortic lymph nodes. And they took out my gallbladder. Always trying to find a bright spot, I am glad that at least my pancreas was OK. When I heard there were tumors adjacent to my pancreas I was dreading waking up a diabetic. So, no matter how bad it looks there is always something to be grateful for.
I have 5 more rounds of chemo, every 28 days, so the next infusion is July 9th. That's the news from here. I am tired, but fighting on day by day with a goal of getting back into remission and having another year where I can live a life I want and not be a full-time cancer patient. As long as there are good days ahead I will keep fighting.
My next post will be a departure from medical stuff. I am working on an interesting and ambitious project. I hope I have the energy to tackle it. I'll tell you all about it in a few weeks.
hugs to all,
MK
Comments (23)
I am excited to hear about your project!!!
You are such a source of inspiration and strength and sending you a BIG HUG!!! Also SO SO look forward to hearing about your project!
Jordan, Thank you. Coming from you, amazing woman, that is a huge compliment.
Michelle, thank you, as always, for this sharing. Keep fighting on, and may you pursue your next project! Lots of love from Jill and I.
Hi Michelle, Thanks for the update. I'm so happy to be your friend and to hear your progress. But for the awful bout of CINV, it sounds positive! You make me smile! I'm sorry I missed Friday but better to miss you than to pass on my snotty virus! I hope to see you this Friday if you are Ok for a visit, (I'm much better!) and we can paint, do errands, or just talk! Hugs to you.
I am so very grateful you are my daughter One amazing woman Mom
love you Mom and glad you are coming for a visit.
CINV sounds like no fun so I am glad that is over. Glad for a good report, I've been thinking of you most days and wondering how you were doing. Looking forward to nonmedical news and learning about your project! It's good to do something you're interested in that takes your attention off the chemo. Keep those positive juices flowing. You are doing great. M P.S. "nonmedical" keeps getting autocorrected to "nonmusical." but nonmusical wants to be replaced with "none." I find that hilarious.
Thanks for the update. We never want to trouble you with questions. We all want to be with you and help in every possible way. Knowing a few details helps. Here is a giant hug. Love you.
hugs to you, I just saw a picture of your scar, wow, its way bigger than I realized.
Sending big hugs from Boulder too. You are amazing! Excited to hear about your project. Wendy & Allyson
I am sad your wont be here in SB! But we should come visit in Boulder.
Oh MIchelle, So sorry you have to go through all this. I so understand being worn down, physically and emotionally. Yet, you are a fighter, Keep your eye on the light at the end. Sending hugs and love across the street
Dear Michelle, both Fred and I hold you in our hearts and prayers . . . for strength, for wisdom on the part of the Drs., and for a continued ability to fight, something you have been incredibly able to do. We send our love to you dear! Thank you for including us in your posts . . . Fred and Patty T.
Hi Michelle, thank you for writing, sobering, hopeful, and strong, all at once! That's you all over, Cherie
We are glad to hear there are some positives in your life though the negative bits don't sound so good. Keep going you two. Hope Bruce is keeping strong too. We wish you both well, send love and are thinking of you.xxxx
We are rooting for you. Really hope the nausea is a one time event. Thinking of you often since our well fit class together.
I have not been to the Y since surgery. I need to get back to it.
Dear Michelle, what a long battle, but at least, as you say, there was good news regarding your pancreas and that only 3 of the 10 lymph nodes were cancerous. Thank you for sharing your story. It occured to me today that so many of us would never understand the real intricacies of what happens in cancer treatment, so your frank, thoughtful dialogue of all the ups and downs educate us, which in turn leads to a deeper empathy for those going through this - thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. You are giving something valuable by writing about this. You have been so strong and determined, and aside from being a cancer patient, you have done so many wonderful things over the last few years, and I certainly think of you from that perspective equally or more so than just as a cancer patient. I am sure you will do so much more too, and I look forward to hearing about your new project. As always, you and Bruce are in my thoughts and I send you best wishes and love from down under.
Thank you Karen. Sometimes the blog feels like a agrandizing and narcissistic endeavous, so I appreceite that you find it meaningful. XO to all in OZ
I marvel at you Michelle...a force of nature you are. And despite a long, hard fight you always find something positive. I can't wait to hear about your project. Love Patty West
oxo to you Patty.
Thinking of you, Michelle, and sending love and light your way. ❤️