Well, I am entering a new phase. I will start with the not-so-fun and end with the more fun.
This week, I had a blood draw and an appointment with Dr. Pegna on Monday
Symptoms are still my skin, stomach, fatigue, and some sleep issues lately. The dermatologist stuff is helping my skin but I am still having some issues.
My blood looks good, and even my platelets have bounced back a bit, but not enough. In the last blood draw on 2/13, my platelets were 75 (He has told me 100 is the border below which isn't great)
After that platelet count, he told me to take two more weeks off of chemo to see how my platelets bounce back
I did the additional two weeks off, tested on 2/27, and they only came back to 86. He had hoped I would bounce back to 100
Because I am still low, I am coming off chemo (for good, for now).
Instead, we are being more intentional about scheduling surgery (early June) and putting me on a once-monthly injection (Lanreotide) to help keep the tumors stable and not growing
We also tested my gastrin levels (a lot of detail in here, let me know if you care) but don't have the results yet. It will help me understand what drugs I will need
Mentally it's been a tougher week. I've been happy, basically feeling great, and chugging along knowing what to expect. Now, I am starting a new treatment and I don't know what it will be like. I am sure I will be great but the unknown is slightly unsettling
I have a CT Scan this Friday (3/2) to see what my tumor sizes are looking like and an appointment on Monday morning to review the scan.
The good news
I started my new job and really like it and feel like I am making a difference
I am speaking to new patients and helping all the time, and gave my Dr my contact info and told him to offer me up as support to people
I am working on a Portland support group
Still doing some other consulting for a mental health company
I booked my skydive! April 29, I am very excited (and not scared - yet)
This Saturday night I am a storyteller at an Improv show!
So overall, it's the unknown part that's unsettling, but I will get past it and will come out better. This too shall pass as they say
Next update you get to hear, in detail, about my butt dart (what they call these shots)! So get excited about that!
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