Back on carboplatin chemo

Since my CT scan on 3/23/12 showed some good stuff but CA125 had risen to 205+, I had an appointment to see Dr. Rosenshein. Dr. R said CT scan showed new pleural effusion near lung. He inferred this might be causing the CA125 to rise. Etoposide chemo pills are NOT doing the trick so I start on chemo Carboplatin by IV 4/19/12. I’ll have to go to Weinberg every three weeks for an IV infusion.

Oct. 19, 2006 my first chemo treatment was a combination of taxotere and carboplatin. In 12 treatments the combo dropped my CA125 from 1535.2 down to 13.7. I haven’t had either of those drugs since 6/28/07. Since they worked then and it’s been a while, Dr. R reasoned they might work again. But I only have to take one of them.

Common side effects of carboplatin are constipation; diarrhea; hair loss; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach pain or upset; vomiting; weakness. Nothing I haven’t had to deal with. I was joking about holding a zofran (anti-nausea pill) between my knees when I have to give a 5-minute speech at the National Cancer Survivor’s meeting June 3. I may have to swallow it so I can make the speech.

Never a dull moment when you have chronic cancer.

Megan with hair

Yes my daughter has enough to provide me a wig.

I once had similar locks.

CT scan good, CA125 bad

Terri Rowley returned from hot tubbing with her sisters in western Maryland to send me the results of my latest (3/23/12) CT scan.

New very small left pleural effusion (small amount of fluid between the outer wall of the left lung and the sac membrane that surrounds the lungs). "An oblong density adjacent to the right pericardium (near the heart) measures 1.8 cm as before; however, density is decreased significantly since prior exam, suggesting that it may be a necrotic (dead) node at this time. The small nodule previously noted at the right base has also decreased significantly in density." Nothing in abdomen or pelvis. This sounds good, right?

But CA125 (measure of cancer activity) was 155.2 in January and up to 205.7 on 3/23/12. Not good.

I'm a dichotomy. Dr. Im is having me continue on etoposide (oral chemo) but am supposed to see Dr. Rosenshein about future treatment. It's a good news, bad news type of thing.

Asked to speak at Nat'l Cancer Survivor's Day

Reverend Dedera Baker, the minister at Weinberg's OPC and a long-time friend, called to ask if I'd speak at Mercy's National Cancer Survivor's Day event, Sunday, June 3, at 2:30 p.m. in the hospital's new Bunting Center. I just laughed and asked what made her think I'd still be around in June? When I asked why they wanted me to speak she said it was because of my sense of humor. That and, I bet, because I'm one of the few patients whose paperwork has filled seven folders in Dr. Neil Rosenshein's office. Fortunately I'll be one of three speakers and only have to talk about 5 minutes. You know me, that should be a piece of cake.

Jenna is a love

The joys of my weekend are my grandchildren. Jenna is very loving. Of course, she really wanted bites of my bagel with cream cheese and rubarb/strawberry jam. Horses are her passion du jour as Legos are Tyler's. Megan took them to the Columbia library to get library cards. Tyler signed the back of his card and the librarian was impressed that Jenna could spell her first name at 2. And yes, while Jenna's hair is getting in her eyes, I don't have to worry about that. The new chemo I'm on is taking my hair again.

CA125 went up 20.4 points

After second month on etoposide, I went to Outpatient Clinic yesterday and had bloodwork. Of course, my port decided to once again not to cooperate. After putting TPA in both and getting no blood, we went to Plan B which is now a go-to vein inside my left elbow. Didn't need magnesium or blood booster shots, despite both white and red cells being considered low. But CA125 went up 20.4 points to 175.6. Am scheduled for another month of oral etoposide pills, then more blood work labs and a CT Scan on March 23. We'll see what that shows. If the cancerous nodes have begun to grow Dr. Im may have to alter my chemo. I'll think about that tomorrow, Scarlet.

February is flying by

Moderate weather has been great. Love not having to shovel snow. Am into second month of etoposide oral chemo. Been experiencing a lot of stomach gas but not sure if that's from chemo or old age. Valentine's Day had my teeth cleaned (it felt so good when it was over) and then next day a vaginal check-up with gynecological oncologist. Both heads and tails are fine. Campbells are headed to Deep Creek in western Maryland for the President's Day holiday with two other families so Ruby is coming to stay at Chez Jones. Birds are emptying my feeders as fast as I fill them. Always something. But better than nothing.