So, on Monday I had an appointment with my oncologist. We discussed my results from my December 22 CT scan. I had a list of questions that Dr Gray answered. She also consulted with another oncologist about my case. I shared my concerns about not having any chemotherapy since December 21 and wondered how much the cancer cells were partying it up and spreading.
I asked about the new drugs she ordered for me. Lenvima and Keytruda, Lenvima is a pill I will take daily and Keytruda will go in my port every 3 weeks. She told me that the Lenvima is really potent, and that people can't handle the full dose. She starts people on the full dose and cuts it down to half after a short time. She told me I will have major fatigue, worse than I have had and diarrhea (oh great). She also said it messes with blood pressure and red blood cells, that I may need a transfusion once in a while.
The other oncologist messaged her and ordered a PET scan for me to see if the cancer is in one area or other areas. Surgery was mentioned as a possibility along with Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (washing my insides with chemo). Ok. We just need to get the PET scan results and go from there.
Today was my scan. It took about 90 minutes from start to finish. If you ever have to do one, in winter, wear mittens! I was under a blanket, but my hands above my head for the scan, got cold. I got results already, but that is for another blog, results are not good.
I got back to work, one of my nurses called to tell me that I was approved for the new chemotherapy drugs. Woo Hoo let's kill cancer! Then she asks if I know about the side effects. I told her what Dr Gray told me. Then she says...there are more.
"One of the common side effects is Dysphonia". WHAT?!?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!!? DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!?! (I start laughing) She laughs and says that is why I had to call you. We laugh some more.
Dysphonia is a disorder of the voice, often caused by abnormalities that affect vocal cord vibration. It hampers your ability to speak easily and clearly.
She told me that another side effect is blistering on the hands and feet. I am to avoid putting my hands in hot water and avoid standing on hot surfaces. Ok. What else? Painful mouth sores are common too with patients. These are awful, but I am still on the dysphonia...trouble speaking?? ME?
I finished my call and told my co-worker. We had a good laugh too. We were on the phones all day with insurance companies doing referrals for patients for 2022. We laughed more, I talk for a living and my voice may be affected? Are you serious? My brother Mike stopped in to drop off cookies and see how I was handling the bad scan results, I told him. We laughed some more.
I told him I should make a chart like Bingo only using Chemo...and have various side effects all listed. What side effects will I get? He said, sell squares on what the next side effect will be. We laughed even more! I could be doom and gloom but that will get me nowhere,
So, with prayers to God to continue to help me laugh through the rough times, I will win this battle too!!!
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