Saba Beats Cancer

Ring the bell on the chemo - we are done!  On Sunday, based upon the issues with the methotrexate and my kidneys I emailed Dr. Fowler and asked - since I have been in remission since chemo #2 and I truly believe that no cancer cells could survive the onslaught at this point - do I need chemo #6 (actually chemo 11 at this point) or is the risk to the kidneys too much? He called me on the way to the airport and said that is a good question. He has had 7 patients who ended early and all are still in full remission.  So I asked the question - is there a compelling reason to do #6 - he said he would consult with the very doctors who developed R-EPOCH and ask.  Well apparently at dinner at the big cancer conference last night they discussed my case. Their answer on whether I needed chemo #6 based on all that has happened from those that know the treatment the best:  "absolutely not". So no more chemo. He called me from Switzerland as we were walking the pups on the w...

So you don't always realize what my be affecting your psyche. Something as simple as shorts.  I have been feeling a little bad about the weight loss.  The other day Lee finally had it. I had lost some weight before this whole debacle so my shorts were not quite fitting right.  Last week we went to walk the dogs and I put my phone in my shorts pocket, walked down the steps and my shorts fell down to my knees.  She went out and bought a bunch of mediums to replace the larges. And I immediately felt so much better about myself.  I had felt like I was wasting away and looking like most cancer patients and I felt really bad about it. Wearing shorts that fit and seeing that I actually look like I should and this weight is actually my ideal weight made me feel really good about myself.  Felt a little stupid - but it is amazing what will make you feel good during this journey. And the staff is amazed with my painting. My cousin got me a very involved, very deta...

So the spine has been clear of cancer cells so why I am still doing brain chemo?  Because the lesion that was hurting my vision in back of the head is just not quite healed yet.  The MRI shows just a tiny blemish left. So in the eyes of the doc, there still could be a cancer cell hiding in there. We aren't gonna blast it with radiation or biopsy it because that is too risky - so we pound it with MTX. So why risk it getting brain cancer? We aren't.  We go forward. What I needed the most was a full plan which is what we can up with yesterday.  I hated the not knowing week to week what we are doing. Now I know what we are doing from now to the end. Nothing I like more than the plan So if you had brain cancer - you would do the MTX regimen that I am doing. And only that. And if you had lymphoma, you would do the R-EPOCH regimen that I am doing and only that.  Because of that slight chance of brain cancer - we are doing both. Luckily my body is handling it th...

Obviously this is all very complex and I write stuff down to remember everything the doctors and nurses are saying about all this treatment, timing, chemicals, side effects etc.  It's way too much.  But on timing - I am pretty maniacal about keeping track about what they say. So they said I would get a scan right before chemo #3 so we could see how I was doing. Since there is obviously a lot riding on how I am doing I marked this down. Well the appointment comes through and it is set for right after I think we would have chemo #3.  So I shoot an email asking if this is a mistake or maybe they are moving chemo #3 later. No word back from the medical team but the appointment just moved to having the MRI on the brain April 10th and the full PET scan on April 11 with Chemo #3 set for the 12th. So I was right - it is before, not after chemo #3. So - when I say you have to constantly stay on your toes and ask questions - you really do. We especially want to see wha...

To feel good on my birthday with both girls coming and no appointments or treatments.  I. Will. Take It!!!  How awesome is that.  Feeling good and surrounded by great people and tons of cards to open.  Just a great day. My counts are a little too low to go out for dinner but going to get some Truth BBQ brought in and enjoy a great birthday meal with family. Have to do a Pulmonary Function Test tomorrow, blood work and a meeting with our Oncologist for an update.  Supposed to go in Friday for more treatment - may be Saturday - will see. But today I get to be semi-normal.  Enjoy family, feeling good and great BBQ followed by a little Boston Cream Pie for my cake. Oh hell yeah.

No post yesterday - felt great enough to get caught up on work which felt really good to do.  Better sleep last night and feeling even better today. Still some weird pains in my hip and back of my head - assume the bones are healing.  The nausea is way less though most food does not seem appealing. Would prefer not to take the anti-nausea and see if I can not have the headache today. So today we get the spinal tap - and blood work.  Blood work next Monday and then back in the hospital next Thursday. But it's warm, we went for a 1.5 mile walk with the pups had steak and eggs (don't know why that tastes so good). I am just 6 lbs over my Naval Academy weight which is a little odd so trying to pack on a little more food this weekend knowing it is going to get a lot worse. My "coaches" (the survivors who went through this) are so key in getting through this and helping me work through what is happening.  It is interesting that when survivors hear you have cancer the...

Yep - just got home. All is well and we got to bolt.  Don't have to go back for chemo 1B until the 14th which is huge as well (3 days in hospital).  We do have blood work and spinal tap on Friday but that's outpatient.  So it's home to recover!!! As all the mom's are aware - there are way too many food ads on TV, the paper, just everywhere.  Holy crap there is way to much stuff to make you want to hurl when you are nauseous.  Ew.  No wonder America is so fat. Also - I was so out of it last night it was rather funny. When they come to get blood they have to confirm who you are by looking at your little wrist band and then asking to say your name and birth date.  I was trying to wake up but really couldn't - so she asks me my name and birth date and I just What?  She had to ask me three times before I got it. Just needed that sleep so bad.

Actually doing ok sleeping right now.  There is a lot less pain in my bones which actually makes it easier to sleep.  And the drugs are not doing anything to me that bad.  So we started with the Rituxan and the build up the dosage. One of the common side effects is you might get chilled.  Yeah - I got that.  It was like someone through me outside in Chicago with no clothes - I was shaking like crazy - they had to get hot blankets and warm me up. Didn't hurt or anything - just so weird.  Once the body got used to it - they jacked the amount more and we finished up last night. Then they strapped on the other chemicals to my cart.  I have nicknamed the cart Fucker because he really is. Such a pain in the ass. They leave it plugged in the whole 5 days to reduce infection chances which does make sense. So here are all the chems dripping in now. The four horsemen of LIFE!! I went down to coffee and another patient looked at me like I was nuts running ...