The roller coaster begins again

Here we are again.  Everything turns on a dime.  We went to the doctor on Monday to get the latest blood test results for my catecholamines.  (Those are the chemicals that my tumors secrete.)  The counts are up from 6 weeks ago, and after my third cycle of Sutent.  The side effects this last time were pretty bad.  I felt horrible for 3 weeks, and we contemplated going to the ER twice because the migraines were so bad.  So we are stopping the Sutent.  It isn't controlling the tumor activity any more, even on the highest dose I've tried.  So we are moving on.  I am scheduled to start CVD chemotherapy next week, on December 9.  It's very similar to the chemo that is used on breast and lung cancer patients.  I knew in my heart that we would have to try this someday.  I was just hoping it wouldn't be so soon.  We don't know if there are any options if this doesn't work, so everyone will have to say extra prayers.

The good news is that I will probably be sick for only 3 or 4 days after, instead of the 3 weeks with the Sutent.  That actually relieves me.  It's hard to feel like crap for that long of a period of time.  I get all kinds of premedication for nausea which a lot of people have told me will help.  The first dose is supposed to be the worst because it will make the tumors mad and they'll act up.  The release of catecholamines will make my BP go up, which will give me headaches, so I have some new pain meds to try.  I may or may not lose my hair, so I went and cut it off yesterday just in case.  If it's short, it won't be so devastating when it falls out.  I know another lady who has what I have and has been on this chemo for almost a year and she still has her hair.

I will also get a port put into my chest for a central line.  The chemo can be painful using veins in the arm, and my veins are horrible anyway.  They make a small incision and stick the portacath under my skin.  It will heal in 3-4 days, and then I can shower, swim, or whatever.  Then when I get the chemo, they just stick the IV into the port.

Ken is going to take some time off to go with me and hang around while I'm sick.  It definitely screws up our Christmas plans, as Kassy is supposed to come home that weekend, and Ken's parents have a Christmas party.  The port can't be put in until Dec. 23, which totally sucks too, but as God has reminded me over and over, it's not my plans that are important in this life.

So I'm going to Cheesecake Factory for lunch and I'm going to eat whatever I want, and wear my new boots from my Black Friday purchases, and enjoy the sunshine with my good friend Marie.  So take that cancer!

God is love.