Phase 2 Chemo 3 of 3 Complete, Scans Pending + Other Therapies!
It has been an eventful week! On Tuesday I began round 3/3 of what I am calling phase 2 of my chemo. First, I arrived for my pre-appointment blood draw, and head upstairs for my pre-chemo appointment with my amazing oncologist, Dr. May Chen. We discussed the scheduling of my next scan that is to determine my next plan of action to kick this cancer in the butt. The scans will include a CT with oral and IV contrast of my abdomen, pelvis, and chest and will be scheduled for the week of 2/24 (or the Friday before). Dr. Chen will review the scans with the radiologist and let us know preliminary results. I am also scheduled for a second opinion with another of Stanford’s respected oncologist, Dr.Fisher, on March 4th. He will also weigh in on the new scan results. With any luck, the scan will show no further mets and clearer lungs with defined nodules that can be surgically removed. Although not the only means of treatment, surgical removal is the best chance of a cure from metastatic cancer. So, of course, this is what I hope for!
Dr. Chen sees that my blood work shows that my blood counts are good, so I head down the hall to the infusion center to get chemo round 3. Symptoms in the day or two to follow were minimal with moderate fatigue, flush face and chest, mild nausea and few other nuisance symptoms that were best dealt with by distraction, exercise, and activity. Unfortunately, on Thursday the rain kept my comrades and me off the courts for our usual social tennis game, so we enjoyed a matinee instead :-). Friday morning there was a break in the rain and I continued to feel well, so out I went to practice with my USTA tennis team. As many of you have seen on Facebook ~ that did not end so well :-(. Clearly, I should have gone to another movie! I sprained my right ankle and ended up in the ER.
I am now in a non-weightbearing splint with instructions to ice, elevate and see an orthopedic doctor on Monday (tomorrow). It is moderately painful which is a bit of a challenge, as the oncologist doesn’t want me to take ibuprophen due to its potentially negative effect on my platelets. So, I’m relying on ice and elevate more and less on meds. I am determined to heal quickly, as physical activity (tennis, hiking, yoga, walking with Cooper, etc.) is important therapy for me. There are encouraging studies that have shown improved outcomes for cancer patients who maintain or increase their physical activity while undergoing cancer treatment. Check out this study if you are interested: http://coloncancer.about.com/od/stagesandsurvivalrate1/a/Exercise.htm
Other Therapies:
While I have been on this phase 2 chemo session & allowing my lungs to heal, I have been exploring some alternative therapies.
Phase one chemo left me with significant neuropathies (numbness and altered sensation) in my hands and feet to my ankles (may have contributed to my ankle injury). Studies have shown that acupuncture is the only treatment proven to be effective in improving this unpleasant side effect. I have really enjoyed my experience with acupuncture, and have enjoyed some return of feeling in my hands and feet and the added bonus of improved sleep!
am beginning to explore the effects that food and nutrition have on the prevention and treatment of cancer. There is a lot of material of many extremes out there, so I am trying to sort through the information and find a treatment plan that I can get behind. As a start, I have an appointment with a nutritionist in the oncology center, as well as I have found a lot of helpful information in this research-based article from the American Cancer Society:
http://www.cancer.org/treatment/survivorshipduringandaftertreatment/nutritionforpeoplewithcancer/nut... . Youmay find it interesting!
Cheers for now, Jacki
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Posted later 2/10/14
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