I have a lot to catch you up on so let's get started...
Thursday, March 14
I had a PET/CT (2 in 1) scan that we can compare to the PET/CT I had on Jan 28th. Because I had this 2 in 1 scan, we're able to measure the size of the the lesions on my liver as well as measure the cancer activity. If only my insurance would cover this 2 in 1 scan every time! Anyway, the results showed there are no new lesions on my liver AND the existing lesions have improved. One of the lesions measured 22.5 and currently measures 15.5 and another lesion measured 19.2 and now measures 11.1. We couldn't be happier with these results. Woohoo! That means the Carbo/Gemzar cocktail is working! Of course if you're a follower of my blog, you know it can't be that simple! So here's the deal... The cancer has actually spread to 2 of my lymph nodes. So that means the Carbo/Gemzar isn't working?!? So do we stay on this cocktail after seeing so much improvement on my liver?? Or switch to something else because of the slight progression of lymph node metastasis??? We ultimately decided to milk this cocktail for all it's worth! If its working on my liver (which has always been our priority), then let's give it 2 more cycles (6 weeks) and then scan again and see where we are then. Whew! We have a plan!
Monday, March 18
I'm all ready in the infusion room to get my Carbo/Gem cocktail and everything comes to a screeching halt (you would think that I'd be used to this by now). My lab work came back and my hemoglobin was so low, Dr H ordered a blood transfusion. Eek!! I haven't ever needed a blood transfusion! My blood work had been on the low side for quite some time, so I wasn't completely blind sided by this. So anyway, I received my first blood transfusion. Just as an FYI... Possible transfusion reactions may include Kidney failure or Anemia, Heart failure, Hepatitis, AIDs, or other infections, and Xanax. Oh sorry, just to clarify... Xanax is not a possible reaction, but was just on my list of things to refill after being told about the possible reactions. Anyway, so far so good! And supposedly this transfusion can help with my energy level. Ya, I hope whoever donated this blood was an athlete and health nut... Maybe I'll all of a sudden become more motivated to make it into the gym and start eating better. What!? There's nothing wrong with a little positive thinking! Anyway, the cocktail was temporarily put on hold until my blood work bounces back.
Tuesday, March 19
I found out that my tumor marker jumped from 94 on March 6 up to 110. Not a huge deal, but since this tumor marker has been pretty reliable lately, Dr H wanted to test it again on the 21st.
Thursday, March 21
Uh oh, tumor marker jumped up to 145. So maybe it's time to change drugs after all. Well, for the last 2 years Dr H has been trying to get me into a clinical trial with a drug called TDM1 and for whatever the reason (blood work, insurance or whatever), I never qualified to participate in the trials. Well guess what?!? This drug was finally approved by the FDA. The drugs new name is Kadcyla. Seriously, who comes up with these names?! But talk about great timing!
Monday, March 25
I started my first dose of TDM1/Kadcyla and I'll have this infusion once every 3 weeks. I can't say I've ever been more excited about starting a new drug. It's been out of my reach for 2 years and you have no idea how frustrating it is not having access to your doctor's first drug choice! I told Dr H's nurse that the only reason my tumor marker started to go up was because when my body found out that TDM1 was approved and we were staying on a cocktail that seemed to be losing momentum, it responded with, "hell no! I want the drug you've all been raving about!" The great news is that I'm feeling great and I think we're starting out on this new drug in a good place. And from what I understand, there are typical chemo side effects that come with this drug, but they should be minimal. YES!!!
