› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Post second infusion scans coming up on Wednesday
- This topic has 6 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 11 months ago by Lori C.
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- December 13, 2010 at 2:30 pm
On Wednesday I'm scheduled for a full body CT and brain MRI to see if I am responding to the carboplatin/taxol/temodar Phase II trial I'm on. For such a long time (nearly two years) I didn't even think about scans but after brain mets in June followed by an adrenal tumor found in September, I find I am definitely thinking about this one. It isn't with the terror I had during that first year but flashes of anxiety are definitely popping up.
On Wednesday I'm scheduled for a full body CT and brain MRI to see if I am responding to the carboplatin/taxol/temodar Phase II trial I'm on. For such a long time (nearly two years) I didn't even think about scans but after brain mets in June followed by an adrenal tumor found in September, I find I am definitely thinking about this one. It isn't with the terror I had during that first year but flashes of anxiety are definitely popping up.
Plus, my oncologist, who I absolutely have loved and had total faith in, announced she is leaving UNM to take a wonderful position in the northeast in February.. She has assured me that all of her patients will be assigned to top oncologists and that she will leave them with a complete treatment plan. I trust her in this too and she has been such a caring doctor that I can only wish her the best – she deserves a life too!
The second infusion was much harder than the first one. I was hit really hard on the third day, no serious nausea, just extreme body and nerve pain. Also, the oral temodar caused me to faint one night resulting in a dislocated rib. I was so mad! It wasn't bad enough that I felt so horrible, then I couldn't breathe either! I actualy questioned my resolve to get through six cycles but just like the first time, on day eight it all passed and my usual optimism set in and I knew I can get through seven really hard days if it means defeating this beastie.
I find that about all I can manage to eat on days three through seven is broth and soft foods. It isn't that it makes me sick but that I have no appetite at all so I stick to nourishing things that I can easily get down. But boy, when day eight gets here, my appetite comes back with a vengence and I eat everything I can for the next three weeks to try to maintain my weight. Guilt free eating!
So if the scans show no new tumors and stable or reduced disease, I'm on for four more rounds. The next one on Dec 20th which means just like Thanksgiving, I'll be feeling the worst right through the holidays. But hey…I feel that I'm not doing this just for myself, I'm doing it for my husband, my family and all of the friends who have been there for me every day while my husband works out of state. The friend who rushed me to the hospital and saved my life when an undiagnosed brain tumor began bleeding into my brain. And the ones who have showed up every day to feed our horses and take care of outside chores when I've been too sick to.
I know this will sound impossible to newly diagnosed people, or those still in the first years of fear, but in many ways this disease has been an incredible gift by bringing me closer to the people I love and of learning to live fully in each moment with humor and joy. For everone else out there waiting for results, struggling to get through treatments, or caring for loved ones who are facing those things, I wish you peace and joy through the holidays and beyond! Carmon
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- December 13, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Carmon,
It sounds like a tough treatment but I know you are a person that sees that cup half full. One day at a time. It is tough when an oncologist that you have established a great relationship with transfers to another location. Hopefully, it will be a smooth transition for all of you.
Yes, melanoma does have a silver lining if you look for it.
Please keep us posted. Wishing you the very, very best!
Stay Strong
King
Stage IV 7/05 Liver mets
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- December 13, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Carmon,
It sounds like a tough treatment but I know you are a person that sees that cup half full. One day at a time. It is tough when an oncologist that you have established a great relationship with transfers to another location. Hopefully, it will be a smooth transition for all of you.
Yes, melanoma does have a silver lining if you look for it.
Please keep us posted. Wishing you the very, very best!
Stay Strong
King
Stage IV 7/05 Liver mets
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- December 14, 2010 at 12:35 am
Carmon,
Wishing you the best with your upcoming scans!! We had moved when I had my first recurrance. I felt lost talking to a new oncologist for the first time. My mel specialist had since retired in PA (went to him for approx 15 years) and I was able to get in touch with him. I now have his e-mail and home phone number. He talked me through my first two recurrances and now I have total faith in my new Dr. You might want to ask her if you can occasionally e-mail to think through ideas.
After I freaked for a day or two with this latest recurrance I had a long talk with myself (;-) and decided that if I couldn't enjoy each day why should I even worry about tomorrow!! I so get what your saying about learning through this disease.
Sending prayers and hugs for good scans and a wonderful holiday season,
Linda
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- December 14, 2010 at 12:35 am
Carmon,
Wishing you the best with your upcoming scans!! We had moved when I had my first recurrance. I felt lost talking to a new oncologist for the first time. My mel specialist had since retired in PA (went to him for approx 15 years) and I was able to get in touch with him. I now have his e-mail and home phone number. He talked me through my first two recurrances and now I have total faith in my new Dr. You might want to ask her if you can occasionally e-mail to think through ideas.
After I freaked for a day or two with this latest recurrance I had a long talk with myself (;-) and decided that if I couldn't enjoy each day why should I even worry about tomorrow!! I so get what your saying about learning through this disease.
Sending prayers and hugs for good scans and a wonderful holiday season,
Linda
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- December 14, 2010 at 1:09 am
Carmon, will be praying for you and lighting my healing candles. That was similar to the regimen Will was on and it WAS producing good results for him. Keep your nutrition up as best you can (that was a huge problem for us and he ended up so weak) and may your results be excellent.
I know it takes a lot to get through these very rough treatments. But there are success stories and may yours be a complete one.
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- December 14, 2010 at 1:09 am
Carmon, will be praying for you and lighting my healing candles. That was similar to the regimen Will was on and it WAS producing good results for him. Keep your nutrition up as best you can (that was a huge problem for us and he ended up so weak) and may your results be excellent.
I know it takes a lot to get through these very rough treatments. But there are success stories and may yours be a complete one.
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