I received this great plaque from Sharon R. and Michelle S. I saw this saying at Sharon's house and loved it, and she and Michelle so kindly made one for me. It is so appropriate, and a reminder that we can do things that are hard, even if they seem impossible!
We had an interesting conversation with the doctor Wednesday. I pitched my idea of discontinuing the Gemzar, and then taking the rest of November and December off from chemo. Not a good idea, I guess. Dr. H. was okay with me quitting the Gemzar because of the horrible side effects, but if I were to take 2 months off from systemic chemo, the cancer would most likely spread and be harder to get under control.
So, the new plan of action is to try an oral chemo called Xeloda. From what I had read about this drug, I was certain that this was one drug I DID NOT want to take. The side effects are pretty bad and numerous. Besides the standard nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, stomach aches, flu like symptoms, body aches, bone aches, muscle aches, stomach cramps etc. it has a nasty side effect called Hand and Foot syndrome. The palms of your hands and the bottoms of your feet become red, rashy, burning, itching, blistered, and raw. There are steps you can take to reduce this, like using certain creams at night and wearing specials socks and gloves. But still, come on, I'm going to willingly swallow pills that cause these side effects??? Really, though, what choice do I really have? We asked Dr. H. if I didn't do any more chemo how long I would have left and he said 4-6 months, and it wouldn't be pleasant. As the cancer progressed, I would be more miserable than what any chemo could cause. Well, when you put it that way, I guess I will try the chemo.
The good thing about the chemo is it is easy to change doses if the side effects are too bad, and we worked out a compromise where I would take it 1 week on, 1 week off instead of the standard 2 weeks on, 1 week off. Also, there is another chemo pill that usually is prescribed together with Xeloda called Tykerb. But when you add Tykerb, it makes the stomach side effects even worse. The plan is to wait to add the Tykerb until after Christmas. This way I am doing SOMETHING to battle the cancer, without hopefully compromising too much quality of life.
Tykerb is another drug for HER2+ cancer, and it will take the place of Herceptin. It attacks the cancer in a different way than the Herceptin, which is good because it seems like my cancer is either too numerous or no longer receptive to Herceptin like it was at the beginning. I am praying that I have a "miraculous response" to these new chemos like I had at the beginning with the Herceptin and Taxol.
I also had tumor markers blood test done Wednesday. It will be interesting to see what they are. I also had a flu shot, and of course, murphy's law, my arm got all swollen and I have a red inflamed area about 4 inches in diameter, and it hurts and burns and itches. At least I'm not sick from chemo. This side effects of just the Herceptin and Zometa I received is just some bone pain, and tired and no appetite. My red blood counts were also really low, but only .1 higher than what they have to be so insurance will pay for a Procrit (red blood cell production boosting) shot. No wonder I am so tired!
Oh yeah, for those of you wondering about our Las Vegas trip, it was very relaxing. I spent A LOT of time napping, and resting, and we enjoyed a couple of shows, eating at some great restaurants, visiting my Aunt Jan and Uncle Trent, and sleeping. It was really nice to get away with Dan and be able to have time to talk and enjoy each others company.
These gorgeous flowers sent by my Aunt Jan were waiting for me one week when I got home from Chemo. They cheered me up, and were the most beautiful pink flowers that stayed pretty for a long time. The picture just doesn't do it justice!