Things are happening again...........I was right as rain up until a couple of weeks ago. It began with the bowels. Why does it have to involve bowels?
So while attempting to inspire regularity I noticed my abdomen getting a bit bigger. This was alarmingly noted when I tried on a straight skirt which I had made about a month ago. I could barely get the zipper up. Within days I had called the hospital and they arranged for an ultrasound. They and I suspected that the dreaded ascites was back. If you check out this link do not be alarmed by this picture. I look nothing like that! In any case can I tell you how bummed out this makes me feel?
Yes I stopped treatment in February because the chemo drug was not effective for me anymore. But I had hopes that I could get through the summer without chemo. To be able to enjoy a glass of wine with dinner would have been ultimate. (little things make me happy.....)
Alas, I will be admitted into hospital on Monday for parensentesis and a chemo treatment. The drug they are going to use is Cisplatin. A platinum drug. I believe Cisplatin was used in the days before Carboplatin and is still in wide use. Because I react severely to Carboplatin I have to be admitted to hospital so personnel can monitor my potential reaction under a hyper-sensitivity protocol. Best to be safe than sorry....
You may be wondering why on earth they would give me another platinum drug when I reacted to the other. Platinum drugs are the best for ovarian cancer. They seem to knock it down quite effectively but allergic reactions may occur like it does for me. Also, the team at Princess Margaret suggested Cisplatin to my oncologist in order to determine whether I am 'platinum sensitive' or 'platinum resistant' after a series of infusions. This was all explained in my post of April 17, 2014. The ultimate goal is to get into a clinical trial with a parp inhibitor. I have to qualify and this is the way.
My CA 125 is not good either. My current reading is 597 and this is alarming. I was at a low of 113 last December. I knew it was rising but not this much. I really need this chemo now. The parensentesis and the chemo will take care of the ascites.
Oh and by the way ...... did I tell you we are leaving on a 3 week holiday in France and Spain? In one week. This was booked back in January after my Dad died and my Mom is coming with us. At that time I was doing really well on Doxil and I had hoped I would be in good shape for June. We are definitely going. I just maybe not a bright as usual and I will have some good drugs to help me along!
