2023 Archives

12/26/23

I am relieved to report that hubby and I have both recovered from covid. At the end of his five-day isolation (12/19), he was back to his usual strength. He masked up to fetch vittles and even snuck in a Christmas present for me. I, on the other hand, have taken a little longer to bounce back. My symptoms persisted far longer, although I had no fever. My sore throat got so bad that I had trouble swallowing, so hubby took me to urgent care on Christmas Eve, where the doctor prescribed Benzonatate. It made enough of a difference that I was able to prepare -- and eat -- a simple Christmas Day dinner of ham steaks, yams and Glory greens. Christmas was a low-key day not much different from what we normally do, although I'm sorry I wasn't able to do my usual "neighborhood elf" routine and visit our neighbors.

Thankfully, the covid is gone, but the sinus fogginess and mild sore throat linger on, as well as my usual fatigue.  But when I got up this morning, I felt much better. So I know I'm on the mend. As one friend told me, it's no wonder I'm exhausted -- my body is fighting two battles. Being sick is a lot of work for anyone. But covid and cancer at the same time? Ouch!

I'm planning to take it super easy this week. No appointments or lunch dates, just shuffling some lingering paperwork. Next time you hear from me, it will be 2024. And I am so looking forward to it!

Happy New Year!

12/21/23

We may have escaped it through the pandemic, but Covid hit our household hard and fast.

Despite being up on all the shots and boosters, hubby was diagnosed with it Dec. 14, and then I tested positive last Sunday (12/17). With medication, hubby bounced back in a few days. By the end of his five-day isolation, he was raring to go. I have so far finished nearly four days of a five-day course of Paxlovid, and I'm still pretty wrung out. The fever broke, but the throat is still sore, the cough is still rattling and the sinus cavity feels like fog has rolled in. That on top of my "normal" fatigue and shortness of breath, and I'm not much of a happy camper right now.

Yes, I've been in touch with my oncologist (who prescribed the Paxlovid) and the nurse practitioner has given me tips on dealing with some of the symptoms, but mostly I've just got to live through it. My isolation period will end tomorrow (12/22) but I will not be going out much, including to church on Sunday. Thankfully, other than church, we really didn't have much planned for Christmas anyway.

I hope to have better news very soon! Meanwhile, have a Happy Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa!

12/16/23

If how I feel is any indication of how I'm doing, I'd say the reviews are mixed right now.

Last week, I kept up a full schedule. I had an EKG on Monday (12/4) that turned out to be normal, an appointment with the oncologist (which I wrote about in my last entry) and a port flush on Tuesday, lunch with friends on Wednesday and Thursday, dinner with friends on Thursday, a Toastmasters meeting (in person for the first time in two years) on Friday, a women's Christmas brunch on Saturday, then church service and prayer ministry on Sunday.

By Monday, 12/11, my body wasn't having any more of it. I was just plain exhausted and could barely get dressed. I think I didn't get out of bed until well past noon. Tuesday was more of the same. So I listened and just took it easy. Anything I tried to do just resulted in shortness of breath and fatigue. I caught up on my Hallmark Christmas movies!

We ran a couple of short errands on Wednesday and Thursday, but by Thursday evening, hubby was running a fever of 102. I applied cold compresses and he took some over-the-counter medication. When the fever hadn't gone down much by Friday morning (100), we went to urgent care. Despite having all the shots and boosters, poor hubby had come down with Covid. Here we had managed to escape it all through the pandemic, and now two weeks before Christmas 2023, it hits our household.

The urgent care doctor gave hubby some meds and told him to stay isolated for five days. Meanwhile, I notified my oncologist. I tested negative, but I still have to isolate, wear a mask and stay hydrated. I am, after all, immunocompromised. A sweet neighbor brought us a roast chicken, some fruit and a bottle of sparkling cider. Hubby's fever broke by Friday morning and he's feeling much better, but the isolation lasts through Monday (12/19) and even after that we are advised to continue wearing masks in public.

This is all just a reminder that Covid is still with us, and while we're decking the halls and raising a cup of cheer, we need to be mindful of crowded places and vulnerable people around us. Even before this happened, I was wearing my mask in public. I find I'm not the only one any more, but even if I was, I'd still wear one.

OK, enough preaching. I'm going back to my easy chair and the next Hallmark Christmas movie.

12/6/23

"So far I think you're doing great."

Those were the words of my oncologist, Dr. Angela DeRidder, at our visit on Tuesday (12/5). In general, my oral chemo regimen (which consists of taking a daily tablet called Tagrisso) is doing its job, which is to block the EGFR mutation that caused my cancer in the first place. I've been on it now for exactly one month. She has scheduled a PET scan for January 31 to give us a better picture of whether my cancer is receding or spreading. When we first took a PET scan, in August, the image clearly showed a lower left lung mass, a little concentration in my right lung, and several lymph nodes across the chest region. A follow-up CT scan in October showed a measurable shrinkage of cancer cells in those areas. I specifically requested a PET scan for the next test because it produces an image that clearly shows where the radiotracer detects cancerous areas. The insurance will pay for one or the other every couple of months or so.

While Dr. DeRidder speaks well of how I'm doing, the lab results still point to the same three areas of concern: low red blood cells (RBC), low hemoglobin and high creatinine levels. All are common side effects in people with cancer. Although my chemo drug, Tagrisso, contributes to these side effects, the benefits of the drug are believed to outweigh the risks. While out of normal range, the levels of these three areas, which I now dub The Big Three, are concerning but not scary.

To help address the RBC and hemoglobin issues, Dr. DeRidder recommends I start taking Natrol B12, which I ordered today. As for the creatinine, a measure of kidney function, the best attack is drinking more fluids, preferably water. I told her I'm gulping down 40-50 ounces of water daily. The nurse practitioner recommended I add another 16 ounces.

As for how I've been feeling, that picture is not quite as rosy as it has been. The "littles" that I described earlier have morphed into a little more since Thanksgiving: a little more fatigue, a little more shortness of breath, a little more pain, a little more coughing, a little more constipation and diarrhea, and a little more feeling of general malaise. I had a sudden nosebleed last weekend that scared the heck out of me. I also had a short-lived fever of 100.2. I was so alarmed I took a covid test. It was negative, thank God. The oncologist tells me to expect expect these sudden blips, as long as they don't become regular. I told her the main thing for me is the fatigue: I'm really tired of being really tired most of the time.

In the middle of all that, my glasses broke! Well, not the glass itself, but the right arm just snapped off. The helpful technician at the optical shop was able to give me a temporary fix, but my optometrist now wants me to take a "refraction test" so I can get a prescription for a new pair of glasses. That's under the category of "if it ain't one thing, it's another!"

In addition to how I feel, people have asked me two other questions: how is hubby handling all this, and what are we doing for Christmas? Hubby is great, of course. He is chief encourager, chauffeur and dishwasher. As for Christmas, we've already put up a tree and decorations, and pretty much plan to do the same thing we did for Thanksgiving (Cornish hens).

I've updated my treatment schedule. Thank you again for all your love and prayers. I definitely feel it!

11/23/23

I hope you had a bountiful and laughter-filled Thanksgiving! Hubby and I baked a couple of Cornish hens, which is our tradition when it's just the two of us. I also made his favorite dish, corn pudding, and doctored up some Glory greens and yams. We topped it off with some sparkling cider and big hunks of pound cake (made by our dear friend Brenda Taylor).

I am thankful for so much I can't begin to tell it all. But I will start by saying I am thankful for a loving God who has brought me so far, even when I was kicking against the bricks. I've had no fewer than three brushes with death through the years, and there's absolutely no reason I should be here other than it is part of God's plan. In this season of my life, I am most thankful for a loving and attentive husband, for a small but mighty family, and for an army of generous friends and church members who continue to reach out to me with prayer and cards and texts and food and visits and gifts and love is love is love is love!

As for my follow-up visit with the nurse practitioner on Tuesday ... we addressed three areas of concern. I've been on Tagrisso (my daily oral chemo tablet) for 18 days now, and my red blood cells (RBC) are still low (2.95 on a range of 4.2-5.4) which is to be expected. That was actually up from the last measurement three weeks ago of 2.83. The RBC measurement is paired with the hemoglobin level, which was 10.2 on a "normal" scale of 12-16. That's up from 9.7 three weeks ago. It's better, but still needs to be watched. The combined RBC and hemoglobin readings help explain my continuing fatigue and shortness of breath. I'm addressing those side effects with more iron-rich foods, vitamins, folic acid, and avoiding caffeine.

In addition to the RBC and hemoglobin counts (the first and second areas of concerns), my creatinine levels are slightly higher than normal. My measurement was 1.10; the "normal" range is 0.44-1.03. It sounds very minor, but it is a measure of kidney function, which means I need to be mindful of staying hydrated so I'm flushing out as much toxic stuff as possible.

This is probably way more than you wanted to know, but I'm aware that people have questions they never ask because they're afraid to pry. This way you can take what you want to know and skip over the rest.

This is the bottom line for now: I'm feeling pretty good. Other than my "case of the littles" that tickled my NP so much she included it in her notes, I am functioning nearly close to normal. Hubby and I even took a three-hour road trip to Maryland last weekend to help friends Hank & Airlee celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and we also zipped over to Wilmington to hug my Uncle Paddy and drop in on my cousins Delores, Tony, Mardina and Arianna. Happy to see them all!

11/16/23

Well, it's been 10 days now since I started taking Tagrisso, the oral chemo tablet that is specifically targeted to the EGFR gene mutation that likely caused my cancer, and as I wrote in my journal, "I hope I never get tired of saying that overall, it was a good day!"

Other than the "littles" that I described last week, I've been feeling pretty good. At first, I was afraid to say it out loud because I thought for sure I'd wake up the next morning feeling lousy. But I just keep thanking God for each new day and remembering to pray for others who are navigating their own health challenges and other life episodes. We all have something going on, and as hubby says, "there's always something to pray for."

That's pretty much all I've got to say for this post. I like to try to provide an update at least once a week so you can know how I'm doing, and right now I'd say I'm doing well. My next appointment is with my nurse practitioner on Tuesday, Nov. 21, so that will probably be my next update. I will take labs that day will learn more about how my blood cells are behaving.

By the way, a friend suggested to me that I "update" my Amazon wish list, so I did. You can find a link to it on the How To Help page. I thank you for all the many ways you have blessed me as I plow through the fourth month of this journey.

11/10/23

I've been taking the daily oral chemo tablet, Tagrisso, for five days now, and I'd describe what I'm experiencing so far as a case of the "littles." I have a little pain (mostly in the lower back), a little lightheadedness, a little throat-clearing cough every now and then, a little of the ongoing fatigue, and even a little diarrhea. None of that is drastically different from anything I experienced when I was getting chemotherapy by infusion. I'm praying it will stay that way.

I have bouts of thinking that my treatment is not aggressive enough, but then I remind myself (as my oncologist does) that cancer treatment has come a long way, and not everyone experiences the extremes of weight loss, hair loss, nausea and other side effects like we often hear and see happening to people with cancer. And not everyone has to go through painful treatment sessions with tubes coming out of everywhere. Believe me, it's not that I want to be sicker than I am, but I do want to feel like the battle is really in progress to seek and DESTROY cancer cells.

I'm also reminded that this pill I'm taking is specifically targeted to the EGFR mutation that likely caused my cancer (described in previous posts) and has been shown in multiple clinical trials to block the proteins on the cancer cells that encourage the cancer to grow, and to slow down or even stop the growth of cancer cells. So I believe it's doing its work. I just continue to rest in the peace of God and trust that all things work together for good.

Thank you for your continuing prayers. I feel the love and appreciate it very much.

11/3/23

Plot twist! I did not have my scheduled fourth chemotherapy treatment today. My oncologist determined that based on my hemoglobin levels (below 10, which is concerning), that my infused chemo may be contributing to anemia, which helps explain my ongoing fatigue, so she wanted me to skip it today. Plus, I need to have three weeks distance between my last infusion (Oct. 13) and the start of my new oral chemo, Tagrisso, which begins on Sunday (Nov. 5). So today I got a B12 booster to increase my red blood cells, which are also low and contribute to the anemia and fatigue. It's a crazy cycle!

I will miss going into the infusion center and chatting with the nurses and also meeting some of the other patients. It also gave me time to play with the VR headset, considered part of patient therapy. But I will still be going in every couple of weeks to meet with the nurse practitioner, to take labs and get an occasional port flush, to get new scans and to see the oncologist. I should also call if I have any concerning side effects (bleeding, headaches, dizzy spells, etc.). They will keep close tabs on the effectiveness of the Tagrisso, which I will take daily, and I'm glad about that.

I also want to take this moment to shout-out to my village. I have been so deeply touched by the outpouring of support I have received since the start of this journey in August. People have come to visit, dropped off food and gift baskets, sent cards and other notes and emails and gifts of encouragement, responded to my Amazon wish list, texted me, called me, and most of all , prayed for me. I do feel the love and I am convinced it is making a difference. My cancer has shrunk, my pain is reduced, my appetite is great (I haven't lost a pound!), I haven't lost my hair (although I did have it cut), and despite all the sobering reality of this disease, I feel very hopeful. Thanks be to God, and thank YOU, each and every one. I will continue updating this website as I complete appointments or as other developments occur.

10/31/23

I met with my medical oncologist today, Dr. Angela DeRidder, and I guess the most meaningful news for me is that I will be moving from chemotherapy by infusion every three weeks to oral chemotherapy by mouth every day, beginning Nov. 5. I had imagined that I'd be getting both treatments, but the oral drug, a small pill called Tagrisso, is specifically targeted to the EGFR mutation that likely caused my cancer. I'm not sure I understand the EGFR mutation well enough to explain it, but what I do understand is that it causes cancer cells to grow and divide quickly. Tagrisso has been shown to block the proteins on the cancer cells that encourage the cancer to grow, and to slow down or even stop the growth of cancer cells.

I will begin taking the Tagrisso tablet daily on Nov. 5, two days after my fourth and final round of chemotherapy by infusion (Friday, Nov. 3). Because Tagrisso is a chemo drug and therefore highly toxic, I have to be careful with handling it. Preferably, I should use gloves (or maybe tweezers), and the drug should not touch any of the other medicines I take daily (for high blood pressure, etc). I should take it at the same time daily, and to the best of my ability, I should not miss any days.

I also had a "chemo education session" today with the patient care facilitator who helped me get financing for the Tagrisso, which is $13,000 a month. She went over the long list of side effects associated with Tagrisso (diarrhea, nausea, mouth sores, dry/itchy skin, tiredness, back pain, headache, loss of appetite, heart problems, nail bruising, easy bleeding, blurred vision -- just to name a few). But in all likelihood, I'm told, my side effects should not be very different from what I've already experienced because they're all related to chemotherapy -- and so far my side effects have been minimal. What they want to keep a close eye on, though, are my blood levels, particularly my red blood cells and my hemoglobin, both of which are persistently low and partly explain my ongoing fatigue.

Because my cancer is considered a "permanent disability," I am now eligible to apply for a disabled parking tag. That's both good and bad news, as far as I'm concerned. Sure, I don't mind parking up close. But I don't like the reason I'm eligible.
 

Next update: probably Friday, Nov. 3, when I have my fourth chemo treatment by infusion. It will be the final treatment by infusion, at least for the next few months, as we continue to monitor my progress with Tagrisso. The port that was surgically implanted in my chest will remain in case there is a reason to go back to infusion treatments. It will, however, need an occasional "port flush."

Dr. DeRidder will order new scans every 2-3 months to see how well I'm progressing. "Stability is a win," she said. "We want to keep the cancer as dormant as we can." Those are her words. My words are consistent with those found in the Model Prayer written by my brother Bobby: "This cancer will be reduced, obliterated, melted, incinerated, expelled, made non-existent, pushed out, liquified, consumed on itself, made powerless, foreclosed, turned to dust, demolished, eliminated, annihilated, overwhelmed, crushed, beaten, conquered, destroyed, thrashed, routed, seized, oppressed and overcome, by God’s most powerful forces, the forces of Love, and Goodness and Righteousness, of Power, of Science, of intention and miracles in action of grace on wheels working double and triple time on Your behalf." So there!

10/27/23

Hallelujah and happy dance! I am excited to tell you that I had new CT scans today, and the initial report is that after five radiation treatments and three chemo treatments, my cancer cells have been measurably reduced! I will meet with my oncologist on Tuesday (Oct. 31) for her professional interpretation, although she did send me the following message via MyChart: "Please let Ms. Bridges know that her scans show that her cancer is responding to therapy and has decreased in size. It is wonderful to see!"

Here's the exact language of the CT report (I underlined key words for me):

THORAX [the chest region between the neck and abdomen]:

1. Findings consistent with positive response to therapy. Improved right supraclavicular and mediastinal adenopathy. Decreased size of the small left pleural effusion with improved pleural thickening and nodularity.  2.6 x 2.1 cm masslike region along the inferior left fissure previously measured 3.4 x 3.3 cm at the same location with improvement in postobstructive atelectasis. Mild improvement in nodular consolidative region in the right lower lobe.

2. Inferior neck/Chest wall: No thyroid mass. Right supraclavicular lymph node measures 11 x 7 mm, previously 13 x 8 mm.

3. Lymph nodes: 9 mm left infrahilar lymph node previously measured 11 mm.  12 mm precarinal lymph node, previously measured 15 mm.  10 mm subcarinal lymph node previously measured 15 mm.

So what does all this mean moving forward? As I said, I'll meet with my oncologist on Tuesday and I have a list of questions ready (she'll probably answer most of them before I open my mouth). But I imagine that she is going to recommend continued treatment, possibly more chemotherapy by infusion. I will also begin taking Tagrisso, an oral chemo medication that is specifically targeted to those with my type of cancer and EGFR positive mutation. The medication has been shown to increase life expectancy by 3-5 years, but it comes with some hefty side effects (learn more at tagrisso.com). Thankfully, my side effects have been minimal thus far, so I'm expecting that to continue. That's it for now ... more news Tuesday!

10/20/23

Praise report! I got a call yesterday telling me that the cost of my new drug, Tagrisso, is covered by insurance and a grant from the drugmaker, AstraZeneca, through the end of 2024! You may recall last week that my oncologist was excited that Tagrisso, approved by the FDA in 2015, specifically targets my EGFR positive mutation and can increase my life expectancy by 3-5 years. But the cost of the drug is nearly $13,000 a month, and I knew there was no way I would be able to afford that or a large co-pay. Thank God for Medicare, Anthem supplement and the AstraZeneca grant!

The other exciting news about Tagrisso is that it is an oral drug -- a pill -- so I do not have to take it by infusion. I will start taking it around the time of my next chemo treatment, Nov. 3.

Now for the not-so-rosy report. I learned from the first two chemo treatments that the week after is usually the hardest for me in terms of fatigue and pain. It was no exception after this third treatment last Friday (10/13), in fact it may have been a little more intense. I find myself with very little energy and watching the clock for when I can next take Tylenol (every six hours). I'm grateful that I haven't had to take anything stronger than Tylenol, although I've considered it.

As side effects go, I'm thankful I haven't suffered many. No nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, hair loss or other stuff I was warned about, although I have developed an irritating skin rash on my backside that the nurse practitioner says is consistent with my immunocompromised state. Another prescription and a topical antibiotic seems to be keeping it in check.

One thing that hasn't suffered: my appetite. I haven't had any trouble eating, and my oncologist says I can eat pretty much whatever I want (caution on salt and sugar, of course). So I try to consume lots of vegetables and proteins and carbs because all are needed to keep my body in fighting shape. And lots of soup! I drink at least one Boost a day, eat lots of magnesium-rich food (to prevent constipation) and every now and then I ask hubby to make me a root beer float.

I'll go for new x-rays (CT scan) next Friday, 10/27. Unless something else happens before then, that will be my next update.

10/13/23

Lots going on this week -- and not all related to my cancer treatment. Please remember my friend Maria Carrillo Price and her two adult children, Nick and Carmen, in your prayers. They unexpectedly lost their husband and father last week. He was just 63. That has had me emotional all week because I knew him and I know how much they loved him.

Today I had my third chemo treatment, and in a pre-chemo meeting with the nurse practitioner (Jennifer) I confessed that I was feeling a little anxiety about the change in treatment plan. The new medication, Tagrisso, sounds like a good target for my EGFR positive mutation (which, I understand now, is different from my DNA negative mutation) and can increase my life expectancy by 3-5 years. But the drug, produced by AstraZeneca, is nearly $13,000 a month! Some of it is covered by Medicare and some by my Anthem supplement, but there will likely be a co-pay and at this time the amount is unknown.

Anyway, Jennifer had me talk to Corrine, the insurance/drug company/grant guru, to figure out how Tagrisso will be paid for and she assured me the co-pay will be little or nothing. It may take 2-3 weeks to get it all figured out -- just in time for my fourth and final chemo session on Nov. 3. As in all things, I am trusting God on this.

Today's treatment went well and did not include Keytruda, so it was three hours instead of four. I played with the VR again, did a little reading, a little texting, a little chatting with the nurses and another patient in the room, and a little napping, and the next thing I know, it was time to go! I feel my usual fatigue and I'm about to go lay down. I've put a few new dates in the Treatment Schedule page. I'm also adding a link here (and to my FAQ page) to a sobering article I read in the New York Times about increasing lung cancer rates among women. If you've got back pain or increased coughing, I would encourage you to ask your doctor for a chest X-ray and a CT scan. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/12/well/live/lung-cancer-women-screening.html?campaign_id=57&emc=edit_ne_20231012&instance_id=105072&nl=the-evening&regi_id=8551078&segment_id=147195&te=1&user_id=f7e32d3ea1987766e6286735ff6ae950

10/11/23

I had three appointments today: labs for my next chemo treatment on Friday (10/13), a routine women's health visit, and my annual mammogram. The results have already come back from my labs, and the biggest sigh of relief is that my white blood cell count is more normal. Last month it was low and I had to get a Neulasta "booster" shot. I'm hoping that the improvement means more good cells are being reproduced and not being consumed by the cancer cells. The mammogram result has also come back and it says "no mammographic evidence of malignancy."

Since my last post (10/2) I've been feeling pretty good -- still fatigued but less pain and very few other side effects -- so I'm hoping that's a good sign. I got a call today from the oncologist's office telling me that I'm "EGFR mutation positive." I'm not sure I can explain it so you may have to Google it like I did, but what it means for me is that my oncologist can substitute my immunotherapy infusion drug (Keytruda) for an oral medication called Tagrisso. This relatively new drug (approved in 2015) can target the mutation, retard growth of cancer cells and increase my life expectancy. My oncologist is also ordering new scans to make sure the treatment I've received so far has been effective (i.e. reduction in cancer cells) before we change treatment course. This all sounds GREAT!

10/2/23

I know I'm feeling pretty good when I'm in Panera Bread scanning the room for a good seat, and across the way I see a booth become vacant, and before I realize it, I've sprinted across the room to swoop that table! When I sat down and took a breath I couldn't believe what I had done. I haven't been able to move like that in weeks! Translation? I'M FEELING MUCH BETTER!

Of course, I know not what tomorrow brings. But on this day I'm not as fatigued as I usually am, I'm relatively pain free (not counting that aggravating ache in my lower back), my appetite is strong and I believe my attitude is very hopeful. Hallelujah!

As a basis for comparison, yesterday (Sunday, 10/1) was a very low-energy day, so much so I wasn't able to attend church. I always want to go, but I especially wanted to go yesterday because it was the fellowship's 29th anniversary as a church. Shout out to Calvary Chapel Newport News, where we've attended since late 2001. (The events of 9/11 shook us up spiritually and we were prompted to find a new place to draw closer to the Lord). I'm reserving my place for the 30th anniversary right now!

On Saturday I had a very uplifting visit from my cousin Tony and his beautiful wife Mardina. They were in town to see their son's football team, the Salisbury University Sea Gulls, play our local Christopher Newport University Captains. (Their twin children, Anthony and Arianna, are amazing, but then I may be a little bit biased). Unfortunately, the Sea Gulls lost, but my victory was in getting to spend time with my Delaware peeps.

I'm now midway between my chemo treatments. Infusion #3 (of 4) is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 13. When I saw my cardiologist last Thursday (9/28) he said I seemed to be handling the treatment "very well" and I didn't need to see him again for six months. He mostly keeps an eye on my blood pressure, known to be elevated at times but which has been pretty steady lately. All good news!

9/25/23

So today I got my Neulasta "booster" shot to help pump up my immune system to promote growth of white blood cells. As you may know, chemo kills good cells along with cancer cells, so the good ones have to get a "boost" from time to time. This is my second one and I may need one or two more before my chemo regimen is complete. My next treatment date is Friday, Oct. 13.

We also discovered today that I have a small viral reaction to my immunocompromised state, so I have a new prescription added to my pill box for the next seven days. This, too, is to be expected, and is a good reminder for me about exposure. I am back to wearing my mask in public, and if you come see me I request that you wear one as well.

I'd also like to encourage you to get your next Covid booster and flu shot if you have not done so already. My 90-year-old mother, who has dementia and is cared for at home in California, is just wrapping up a bout with Covid that she got from one of her caregivers. No blame or shame, but just a reminder that this thing is still with us and we need to be mindful of vulnerable people around us.

The weekend was up and down for me. On Saturday I felt pretty good. But plans to go to church on Sunday fell through when I was not able to swallow my breakfast. It just got stuck in my throat and I had to encourage it with yogurt and Boost. Such is the nature of chemo recovery. Later in the day I was able to eat just fine. Today I'm feeling very fatigued (my usual state) but minimal pain, for which I am grateful. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and other expressions of support. ❤️

9/22/23

I had my second chemo treatment today, and from every indication, all went well. Before the treatment, I met with my oncologist, who said she was very pleased that I had also weathered the first treatment well,. Fatigue, bouts of pain and metallic taste, yes, but no nausea or vomiting, no diarrhea or constipation, no loss of appetite, no mouth sores, and overall a very good attitude. My labs indicated low white blood cells, which is to be expected because chemo kills good cells along with cancer cells. So she scheduled me for a  “booster shot” of Neulasta on Monday (Sept. 25) to pump up my immune system to promote growth of white blood cells. My other lab results showed normal kidney, liver and thyroid function.

Now back to today’s treatment. My DNA mutation tests all came back negative, which meant we could move forward with adding Keytruda immunotherapy to my chemo treatment. Yay! You may have seen commercials about Keytruda. It’s intended specifically for my form of cancer and it, too, is administered by infusion through a port in my right chest, along with my chemo drugs (carboplatin and pemetrexed). Altogether, the treatment takes about four hours. Each drug, along with salines and heparin to flush out the lines before and after the heavy-duty drugs and prevent adverse side effects, is administered one behind the other.

So what am I doing during these four-plus hours? Well today I had a private room (as I did the first treatment) and spent most of the time chatting with the nurses. They are a dedicated and hard-working bunch, the six of them juggling six to eight patients a day. But I got a chance to glimpse baby pictures, hear heart-warming stories about how they got into nursing and learn of their daily challenges. I also texted with well-wishers who knew it was treatment day.

I’ll be taking it easy this weekend, so unless something dramatic happens, I won’t have anything new to report until Monday, when I get my immune booster. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and other expressions of support. ❤️

9/21/23

 I don't mind admitting that it was a rough day. Before I made it out of bed and into the bathroom, that golf ball (my metaphor for the expanse and hardness of my pain) lodged itself in my left rhomboid area and doubled me over the sink. When I tried to lay back down, it only got worse, no matter what position I assumed. As I felt a tear come to my eye, I reached for the Oxycodone and took half a pill. I made it to my easy chair and found a somewhat less painful position, and there I lay for a couple of hours. I prayed for awhile, then watched the Game Show Network in an effort to distract myself. When the time came, I took two Tylenol (every six hours), and waited for the ball to shrink. My breathing was labored, so much so that I could not swallow. I managed to gulp down some yogurt, juice and a Boost protein drink. Finally, I drifted off to sleep. By 4 p.m. I awoke as a new woman. I got up and felt so much better! Much less pain, but still a remnant. I was ready to eat. Hubby warmed up my leftovers from yesterday's First Watch breakfast (it was a huge serving!) and I gobbled it down. Later we had crabcakes and veggies for dinner. My taste is back somewhat, as long as I stick with plastic utensils.

Why do I share all this? Because the No. 1 thing people want to know is "how do you feel?" Normally I can say "pretty good" and mean it. But today was rough. Plus, I think we have still have a tendency in our society to treat cancer as a death sentence. Yes, we do know people who didn't make it -- far too many -- but researchers have made incredible strides and we all know plenty of survivors now. In fact, I got an uplifting message today from a former co-worker who told me her own mother has my same ailment and has been managing it for 13 years. Wow! That's what I’m talking about! My oncologist also has a former client who is “doing well” in her eighth year of recovery.

Tomorrow, Sept. 22, I go for my second chemo treatment. I will also see the medical oncologist and I will ask her about today. I should also find out about my DNA mutation results and whether immunotherapy can be added to my treatment. I'm hoping I'll feel well enough to bring you up to date on all of it.

9/19/23

I am overwhelmed by the many expressions of love and support I've gotten since I launched this site on Sunday and shared my diagnosis. It's great hearing from people I haven't touched based with in a very long time, especially former co-workers from California to all over Virginia. I feel like I didn't just work in a place, but I actually built relationships that have lasted. I love that!

As for how I'm doing today, well, a streak of four days of feeling relatively pain free ended yesterday (Monday) with that old familiar golf ball wedged in my back somewhere and just not letting up. I take mostly Tylenol for that and it's very helpful. In fact today I'm feeling much better -- just not as good as I had a few days ago. But as my husband reminded me, I have to expect bad days as well as good ones.

And speaking of hubby ... several have asked about him. Of all the superlatives I could use for him -- superhero, rock star, trooper -- my favorite one is team player. He has stepped up to the plate and he's knocking it out of the park. He can whip up pancakes or a root beer float in equal measure, or dispense medicine as needed. He's also a great chauffeur!

9/16/23

Today I feel pretty good. For the second morning in a row, I woke up relatively pain free, which is huge. Up until a couple of days ago, it was a major task to get up, get dressed and get something to eat. The rest of the day would be spent in my easy chair. But today I felt comfortable enough to sit in front of the computer for a while.

I will get my second chemo treatment on Friday, Sept. 22. I had the first one on Sept. 1, and since then I've been mostly fatigued. I also completed five rounds of radiation treatment on August 31 (see photo above), intended to stop the growth of new cancer cells and relieve some of my pain (palliative).

There will be four rounds of chemotherapy treatment, spaced three weeks apart (see treatment schedule). Since the first treatment, I've been sluggish and push myself to eat because food tastes metallic in my mouth (plastic utensils help). Thankfully, I've had no nausea or any of the other nasty side effects I 've been told be braced for.  Click on other pages for more details.