How to get a free t-shirt, free food, and MORE!

In the past couple of weeks, I have started the new immunotherapy clinical trial. The first infusion was on October 9, the same day I started the pills. The pills pump up my immune system, the IV chemo seeks out a specific mutation that all GBM cells have, and then the ramped up immune system attacks the cancer cells. A couple of days before the first infusion, mom and I walked 6 blocks to the Breakfast Klub in Houston for breakfast. As I was eating I started to feel nauseous, which was weird considering all I'd taken was my seizure med (although this was not the first time that med has made me nauseous). Why is it that you can never remember where the bathroom is in an emergency? I stood up, told mom I needed to find the restroom, and then projectile vomited onto our table and plates. A wonderful woman working there ran over, put a wet rag on my face, and walked me to the restroom. She then ran a person off who was in there and put me over the toilet. As my mom was cleaning up my clothes and getting me calmed down, Miss Jackie whipped together the staff to start cleaning up the mess I'd made (there was a trail of vomit all the way to the bathroom) and then came back with a free(!) t-shirt to change into! Everyone was so awesome! They gave us more breakfast to go! Jackie and I even took a selfie together as she told me about another GBM patient who frequents the Breakfast Klub. Moral of this story? Vomiting in a restaurant can result in a free t-shirt and new friends. [...]

Posted 2019-10-03T22:13:59Z

Calling My Village!

Since the last post, I've had 2 questionable and what No Naps called "worrisome" scans. The second one, worse than the first. I had a spinal tap that turned up nothing significant, and I am now hosting 4-5 "trouble spots." and starting a clinical trial on Monday. This trial combines two types of chemo, one pill and one infusion by IV. I'm on the pills twice a day for 3 weeks and then one week off of those. The IV chemo involves every other week in Houston for this month and then every week for a while, then later it could fluctuate some, etc. The pills can be taken anywhere but the IV chemo needs to be administered and monitored in Houston. To make sure this is all possible, my family members (and some friends who want to) will take turns being in Lubbock to help with Aidan and/or coming to Houston to sit with me on long days and/or hang out for moral support. I will want Aidan here in Houston with me when he can come, of course. If you have interest in participating, let me know approximately when you might want to come. We did this in the very beginning of this journey, in 2016, and there was a lot of interest. It was also very helpful to have rides to treatment and someone to hang out with, and/or wait in the waiting room, in case someone was needed. Plus, with IV chemo, some of the days are VERY VERY LONG, so it helps to just have friends and/or family to hang out, laugh, or cry with. PLUS don't forget that (contrary to the statements of my first husband's lectures) I'm smart, fun, and an absolute joy to hang out with. :) Most importantly, perhaps, is what a loyal friend/family member I am :). Short of legal issues, what's said in the chemo room stays in the chemo room. :).[...]

Shannon Rinaldo

Shannon Rinaldo - Journal

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How to get a free t-shirt, free food, and MORE!

Calling My Village!