Off-topic: an update! I have completed 3 cycles of chemo. My cycles consists of 2 weeks on & 1 week off. I am part of a clinical study at Johns Hopkins Hospital so it is a little different that what they call standard of care [SOC]. I get a lesser dose but more of it, then with SOC. I take an oral drug and then 4 IVs during the fusion. The premise behind this is they believe when you beat the body down with the SOC the body can’t help heal itself. The lesser doses lessens the side effects and is a bit better quality of life. But then there is me. I have earned the title “complicated” with my treatment. I have tolerated the actual chemo very well, no nausea & very little diarrhea. BUT. I have sensitivity to the main steroid they use to manage the nausea- dexamethasone, but we worked that one out. I was diabetic before starting this journey controlled with diet and oral drugs. One of the chemo drugs and the dex sent my sugar numbers through the roof. So I now have 4 shots of insulin a day & working with an Endocrinologist to tweak the doses. Added to the sugar problem is they put me on a high calorie diet because my weight keeps fluctuating. My brain is really struggling with that. Milkshake with dinner sure but the brain is saying no you can’t, oh wait yes you can, encouraged even. (That has been a little perk.). After 3 cycles it is time for the CT Scan, both anticipated & dreaded. The first thing they tell me is I have developed blood clots in my lungs, which they say is not uncommon with pancreatic cancer. So add 2 more injections of blood thinners to my daily regime. BUT. They saved the best for last . . . My tumor markers are way, way down and the tumors are shrinking. THE TREATMENT IS WORKING!!! Big smiles all around – me, Roy, the doctor & my research nurse partner. Me dancing in the hallway. The doctor was especially happy because not only does it bode well for me, but also the study & will help people that come after me . . .
Off-topic: an update! I have completed 3 cycles of chemo. My cycles consists of 2 weeks on & 1 week off. I am part of a clinical study at Johns Hopkins Hospital so it is a little different that what they call standard of care [SOC]. I get a lesser dose but more of it, then with SOC. I take an oral drug and then 4 IVs during the fusion. The premise behind this is they believe when you beat the body down with the SOC the body can’t help heal itself. The lesser doses lessens the side effects and is a bit better quality of life. But then there is me. I have earned the title “complicated” with my treatment. I have tolerated the actual chemo very well, no nausea & very little diarrhea. BUT. I have sensitivity to the main steroid they use to manage the nausea- dexamethasone, but we worked that one out. I was diabetic before starting this journey controlled with diet and oral drugs. One of the chemo drugs and the dex sent my sugar numbers through the roof. So I now have 4 shots of insulin a day & working with an Endocrinologist to tweak the doses. Added to the sugar problem is they put me on a high calorie diet because my weight keeps fluctuating. My brain is really struggling with that. Milkshake with dinner sure but the brain is saying no you can’t, oh wait yes you can, encouraged even. (That has been a little perk.). After 3 cycles it is time for the CT Scan, both anticipated & dreaded. The first thing they tell me is I have developed blood clots in my lungs, which they say is not uncommon with pancreatic cancer. So add 2 more injections of blood thinners to my daily regime. BUT. They saved the best for last . . . My tumor markers are way, way down and the tumors are shrinking. THE TREATMENT IS WORKING!!! Big smiles all around – me, Roy, the doctor & my research nurse partner. Me dancing in the hallway. The doctor was especially happy because not only does it bode well for me, but also the study & will help people that come after me . . .