Chemo Treatment #14

 Yesterday was her 14th treatment. It was uneventful, which is good. Here is her "14" picture:

She had several of her co-worker friends stop by and visit with her which she really enjoyed. She got a little emotional after they left and told me she just wanted to be back at work and get back to normal. That is a tough thing to hear, because what can you say to that? I wish there was something I could do. I am sure everyone feels that way. All we can do for now, is take things one step of the plan at a time. Most people are not too thrilled to go to work everyday (including myself and I enjoy my job), so that is something to think about. She would give just about anything for this cancer to be gone, and get back to normal life of working everyday. Something to think about, and be grateful for.  

After checking in, getting her port accessed, and labs drawn, we got to talk to Dr. Paluri for a little bit.
During that discussion, we got a little more info on possible paths forward.

Next Monday (March 14th) we will go get blood drawn to check the levels of CEA & CA19-9.
These tumor marker blood tests, will in a nutshell, tell us if the cancer is responding to these past two treatments she has had (#13 & #14).

Pending those results, will be two possible outcomes:
    1. The tests show levels decreasing, which means the cancer is responding to the chemo.
        If that is the case, we will continue with the same chemo regimen, for the next two treatment.
        After those treatments (#15 March 21, & #16 April 4), she will get a full CT Scan on April 11th.

    2. The tests show levels remain the same, or increase, which means the cancer is not responding.
        If that is the case, we will change chemo regimens, for the next two treatments.
        This change, would be replacing irinotecan (folfiri) with oxaliplatin (folfox). 
        After those treatments (#15 March 21, & #16 April 4), she will get a full CT Scan on April 11th.

Hopefully the CEA & CA19-9 levels are dropping, and this chemo regimen is working.
No chemo is easy, but the oxaliplatin is a nastier drug, and is what causes the neuropathy and cold sensitivity. She still has some neuropathy, mostly in her feet, somewhat still in her hands. It doesn't prevent her from doing things, and we don't want to get to that point. Hopefully the irinotecan is doing a good job and we can continue with that. We will know next Monday (March 14th).

Once the regimen determination is made, and she completes the next two cycles (15 & 16), she will get the full CT Scan (chest, abdomen, pelvis) to evaluate where things are on April 11th.
From there, there are several different paths. Too many to go into for now, but they could include more chemo next, or a procedure or two. 
We will cross that bridge when we get closer to it and have more info.

We got home around 1:30pm yesterday. She was tired and draggy from the IV Benadryl she received.
I made her some lunch, and she rested for the rest of the day.

For now, we could use the thoughts and prayer that the current regimen is working as it should, and shrinking this mess. Thanks for all the support.