Slight Uphill

Friday, October 10th - Using this roller coaster ride as an analogy for dealing with the cancer I have is getting a bit confusing. I’ve chosen to make the more difficult parts, but with predictable outcomes, uphills and twists and turns.

Also recall, that one of my goals in doing this blog is to provide info & education for those of you who are interested in my disease & treatment. Some of the info may apply to other types of cancer and patients that you may know.

FIRST ROUND OF CHEMO
I started my first round of chemotherapy on Wednesday. It involved going up to Seattle (thank you to Lauril for driving me), doing a lot of waiting at the Virginia Mason Clinic, then getting two kinds of chemo through an IV. Before getting the heavy duty drugs, though, they gave me pills to suppress nausea and a steroid to help with immune system. One or the other made me pretty loopy, so it’s a good thing to have an escort to drive. The chemo drugs are called carboplatin and etoposide – - apparently both are designed to attack the type of small cell cancer that I have.

I was sent home with pills (only etoposide) + nausea control & steroids to take at home on Thursday & Friday; so a total of 3 days of chemo. I’m not experiencing any difficult side effects so far – just a little irritability & flushed skin. The major ones – nausea, weakness, bruising & bleeding – haven’t hit as yet. Assuming everything continues well, I’ll go through a second round of 3 day chemo on Nov 5th; then third round on approximately Nov 26th or December 5th (third round not scheduled yet).

In the meantime, I’ll take good care of myself by trying to get rest, eat 5-6 small meals a day, and get some light exercise. Depending on my energy level & stamina, I’ll go to work as much as I can. I’m also going up to UW Medical Center next week to talk with one of their specialists and get a second opinion on my diagnosis & treatment plan. Why do that after I’ve already started chemo to get a second opinion? Time is of the essence for the type of cancer I have. My doctor at VM & I did not want to wait any longer to the treatment process started.

LOOKING AHEAD

Because the way chemotherapy works, the impacts become stronger over time (read: cumulative). So, the more common side effects of chemo - hair loss, weight loss, etc., will likely start kicking in by the 2nd round of treatment ... the beginning to middle of November.

As I understand it, following the third round of chemo I’ll go through another CT Scan to identify the status of the cancer in my bladder. At that time, a decision will be made to either: a) go ahead with bladder removal surgery; b) continue with three more rounds of chemo. I suppose there’s a small possibility that chemo is all that will be required & I won’t have to have surgery, but I’m not holding my breath on that one.

Thanks again to everyone who pitched in last weekend, in person or in spirit, to get our place ready for winter. It has never looked so good and it is such a relief to both Daren & I to not have to worry about leaking gutters, xmass lights that don't work, and all the weeding, pruning, etc!