The slippery slope

Well, things have changed. The brain tumor is shrinking and doesn't look threatening, but the lung tumor did not die with the radiation, so it is growing and next week my radiologist and new oncologist will put their heads together and decide what to do. I am agreeable to chemotherapy..
The only reason I thought something was not right was because I was so out of breath and so weak...So yesterday I asked Sydney to stop by the clinic and I had my oxygen level tested. I was at 88, it is always best to be at least above 90. After I sat for awhile it came up to 93, so nothing yet to worry about going onto oxygen therapy.

Here are some of the chemo drugs that I may use and some of their side effects.

Taxol -It is made from needles and bark of certain kinds of yew trees. It interferes with the growth of rapidly dividing cells, like cancer cells and eventually causes those cells to die. Get an IV every 3-4 weeks depending on the lab results.

Chemotherapy has lots of possible side effects. Of course we all know the nausea and vomiting stories. A decrease of white blood cells would put me at risk for infections. My platelet count could drop with increased risk of bleeding. Anemia, weak and tired, mouth and throat sores, diarrhea, aches 2-5 days after therapy and COMPLETE HAIR LOSS.

The other chemo drug is called carboplatin (horrible names aren't they?)
It is used for treating many kinds of cancer and also interferes with rapidly diving cells. It is also given every 3-4 weeks and the side effects are the same.

Avastin targets a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) This protein is found in many tumer cell types. Avastin works by interfering with these tumor cells and preventing spread to new sites.
During the infusion, which takes about 30 minutes, I could experience changes in my breathing, fever etc., my blood pressure will be monitored every 2-3 weeks and my medications may need to be adjusted

Sooooooooo, lots of possibilities., but not everything happens to every body and the one thing that shouted out to me was the possibility avastin may prevent the spread to new sites.

Last night I laid in bed and wondered if maybe I should just leave it all alone and enjoy what time I have left, but I decided, no, I'll try this chemo stuff. I'm pretty tuff and I'm not ready to exit yet.

I spoke with my radiologist today and he said he and my new oncologist will go over the game plan with me next Thursday and the three of us will decide the best thing to do at this poing. I may not be taking the above drugs, but it will be similar and I will let you all know.

Actually I have been waiting for this other foot to drop all fall, so to some extent I am glad there are some changes that need to be addressed. I hope to see another summer!

Well, the florist just called and are going to deliver me some flowers! I think it will be from my sister in law. Such fun. TA TA