Cancer markers dropping

Three weeks ago when I updated my blog I didn't focus much on what was happening with my cancer so part of this blog will be a recap. The good news is we are headed in the right direction.

The first time I heard about cancer markers mine was a 97 and it had dropped to a 45. This is the direction I need to be going in, down. Unfortunately the next treatment I had I suffered an allergic reaction. The treatment had to be stopped which in effect meant I had no treatment. My next visit showed my cancer markers went up to 61. I think I was the only one who didn't expect that, I thought it would have at least stayed at 45. My medicine was changed, this is the third medicine now and my next visit showed a huge improvement, the cancer markers went from 61 to 30. I went for treatment this Tuesday, August 31 and my cancer markers went from 30 to 18. We asked if the goal is zero and were told that the cancer markers will never really get to zero but we will be happy with single digits. So, that is the goal for the cancer markers on Sept 21, my next chemo treatment.

The Dr said I have to start weaning myself off the steroids and pain pills. As the tumor shrinks the pain should subside. So, on Wednesday August 11 I started following the Dr's instructions. By Friday I couldn't walk and my stomach pain was at a level 4, not too bad but it had been a zero. It took a week for me to get back to the same comfort level I had. We have agreed we will try this again after the next treatment. The steroids affect my appetite (increase it) and weaken my leg muscles even though the medicine is supposed to make my legs not hurt(which it does).

Some of you already know this but for those of you who don't I have had a problem with food for the last three weeks. I can't stop eating. If I get the thought of food in my head I can't stop thinking about it until I eat it. Even if it means sending Jim to the store to buy it for me. We went to the market one day for a junk food run, this is what we bought, potato chips, fritos, cheese curls, peanut M&M's, fun size Snickers, KitKats, 3 Muskateers, Milky Ways, fruit cocktail cups, pear cups, pepperoni, cheese and crackers, Good Humor Chocolate eclair bars, snow peas. I sent Jim to Friendly's one night for a hot fudge sundae. I ate that around 9:00 and followed it with cheese, crackers and pepperoni at 10:00 AT NIGHT. I was laying in bed one night, Jim was watching the news and I picked up my head and said 'I want Rice Krispies and bananas for breakfast' and then five minutes later I picked my head up and asked Jim 'What do we put in tacos? And, when I went for my treatment on Tuesday they weighed me, as they do all the time and I gained 7 pounds. That was in three weeks. No wonder with all that junk food.

I have a prescription for my stomach, it's actually prescription Prilosec. I called in for a refill and the pharmacy told me the insurance company will not pay for it as they have determined I can only have 90 of these pills a year. I had to contact the Dr and ask her to send a letter to the insurance company for approval for the refill. Not sure if I have to do this every month now or what but it seems odd to me that the insurance company is now dictating what medicines I take. When I spoke with them they said some Dr's are abusing the newer, high costing medicines. They work the best so instead of making the patient go through the various medicine stages they are jumping right to the high end and the insurance company doesn't want to pay for it. I am paying for my health insurance which includes prescriptions yet they want me to pay out of pocket for over the counter medicines that don't necessarily work, I was on them back in January. I've been on this medicine since February...seems to me I shouldn't have to go backwards.

I called to make an eye appointment. I use reading glasses and from time to time my vision blurs. I am not sure if this is related to the chemo or just my age but I would like to make sure my vision does not become a problem. The eye Dr's office called me back to let me know that the insurance company will only cover one visit every two years. So, again, I called the Dr to ask if they could give me a referral because of the chemo and at first they said not a problem we will take care of it. They called today to let me know they want to do a head scan first. That is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 8:30. I will update the results as soon as I get them.

This is stuff I shouldn't have to deal with.

The good news. I've had good days since the new (third) medicine. This past week has been the busiest for me since I was first diagnosed in March. On Saturday we had a cookout, my sister and her daughter flew in from Missouri and all my family was here. (Except one sister in Nevada). Let me tell you, we had enough food for 100 people! Italians have a problem with portions...lol. Everything was delicious and it was a perfect weather day, I am really glad we had the cookout. On Sunday we went to Foxwoods to play Bingo, two sisters, two nieces and one nephew. Jim came with us (I cannot drive) and he played the slots. No one won but we had a great time. On Monday I had to have blood drawn for my next chemo trip. On Tuesday I had chemo (that's when they told me my cancer markers went from 30 to 18). On Wednesday I went bowling.

I actually asked the Dr about bowling and she said listen to your body it will tell you what you can do. I asked if I should wear a mask and she said no, I don't need one. Don't let anyone hug me, kiss me or cough in my face, common sense stuff. She said bowling would be good for me, it gets me out of the house, I get to see 'other' people and the exercise will be good for me. Bowling was much harder than I expected. I set my expectations too high. I fell after throwing each ball in my practice box. My legs are not strong enough to step and slide. I did not go down hard but I did go down with each ball. I had to adjust and stand and throw. That took me most of the night to figure out and my average dropped about 20 points. Everyone at the bowling alley was great, offering to help me up which I refused, I need to do that myself. They also offered different exercise options that I can do to strengthen my legs. I started them today, ten repetitions of three different exercises. My legs hurt now but I will continue to do this everyday until I have my strength back. I enjoy bowling and want to continue.

I asked about driving and as long as I am on the pain medicine I cannot drive. She said 'You are not as alert as you think you are'. If anything happens I could be arrested for driving under the influence of narcotics (or whatever they would charge me with). Luckily for me Jim drives me anywhere I need or want to go. We typically go to the Dr's and the market. Where else am I going to go???

I mentioned somewhere, not sure if it is in my blog or in emails, Jenn is pregnant. They have been trying for a very long time and were ecstatic when they found out. She went to the Dr yesterday and learned they are having a girl. (I personally did not want to know but I was out voted and very quickly at that!) She is due Feb 1.

I think I have covered everything from the last six weeks.

Thank you to everyone sending prayers, good wishes, emails and cards. All is very much appreciated and if you ask me your prayers are working.