Chemo Later

Later on today I will be going to hospital to get my second infusion of Doxil.  After my last infusion I experienced few side effects.  The usual fatigue, nausea and generally blah feeling was there but was short lived.  Let's hope for more of the same this time around.  (or less)

My CT scan is showing signs of disease throughout my upper abdomen.  It is not in one place just sprinkled about.  I am not experiencing any pain and am carrying on with life as per usual.  I should be getting more exercise and attending the Well Fit program at U of W but have trouble getting there for 8:30 am.  I think I need to try and attend later classes.  I just feel I need more than 8 or 9 hours of sleep most days and getting up earlier than 8:00 am is tough.  I know cry me a river......  For so many years I was getting up at 6:30 am to get ready for work!  How things change!

At my last doctor's appointment I was informed of a Doxil drug shortage.  That is concerning in the general scheme of things but our local hospital seems to have a good supply.  I will check on that later.....

My Dad is doing well as well as can be expected.  The radiation treatments have seemed to do the job of alleviating some abdominal pain.  He is more alert these days and participates in conversation. Unfortunately, he is quite wobbly on his legs and we have to be vigilant to protect him from falls.  This is most concerning for my mother who is stressed and tired most of the time.  The CCAC or Community Care Access Centre is helping out more now with a personal support worker attending to my Dad for his showering needs and providing more assistance with light household cleaning. A nurse visits a couple times a week or whenever necessary.

We do what we can but of course we cannot be at their house 24 hours a day.  Luckily Franca is coming to visit for a week.  We are expecting her later today.  It will be great to see her and John and for her to see Dad and Mom.

Chicago!

On September 30th we went to Chicago with Pat and Suzanne for a long weekend.  It was fabulous!  Their waterfront is beautiful and runs for miles.  The city itself was wonderful and exciting.  We stayed at a hotel outside the downtown in a neighbourhood called 'Lakeview' and close to Wrigley Field.  It was just an easy 15 minute bus ride to the downtown area.  We found this to be a positive and enjoyed returning in the evening to relax and then explore the surrounding area to find a place to eat.  Many restaurants to be found and with the lovely summer like weather we had many a meal outdoors.

During our time there we experienced a architectural tour via boat along the river, a tall ship sunset tour on Lake Michigan, a walking art deco architectural tour, and a water taxi ride.  One day we rented the public use bikes and rode along the waterfront.  That was wonderful.  We used public transit the whole time and it was excellent.  We purchased a 7 day pass for $30 bucks and we more than got our money's worth.  We were so fortunate the weather was so great it made the whole time there very enjoyable!

Iconic Sign

Southside view from John Hancock Building

View of Navy Pier 

Cloud Gate at Millennium Park

My crew

A Journey with Doxil has Begun

Yesterday I attended the Chemo Lounge to get my first dose of Doxil.

The chemo nurse had my file online and she knew I have a history of chemo sensitivity so she insisted that I get into a bed.  If something is to go wrong then it is easier to work on me from a bed rather than a chair.  I didn't put up much of a fuss!  Since this is the first time then the regular pre-meds are in order i.e. steroids and antiemetics (Zofran) which were taken at home.  My previous protocol of Taxol and Carboplatin called for copious amounts of more steroid and benedryl to get my body to take the drugs without reaction.  This in turn made me sleep.  This did work for 14 rounds but is now is not an option any more.  As you will recall in my last posts the long infusion of Carboplatin only also brought on an allergic reaction.

Doxil is only one bag of chemo drug and it is red.  Reminded me of a strawberry dacquiri.  Which I would have loved but alas no more alcohol while in treatment.  They say I can have one drink per week but that is hardly worth it.  Perhaps one glass of wine with a special dinner.

Anyway they pumped this red devil into me at the regular infusion rate and nothing happened.  Probably the nurse sitting next to me during the first 10 minutes had something to do with my successful infusion.  Let's hope this keeps up.  Next infusion is scheduled for October 15th.  In the mean time I have a CT Scan scheduled on October 1st with review on October 4th with the doc.

Joys of Summer with Heavy Doses of Dread

It has been a good summer.  Weather has not been great but no chemo.  Still on a rest from carboplatin after having a severe reaction in June.  Making sure to find joy in every day.  Sure is tough especially with my Dad suffering with pancreatic cancer.  He has deteriorated quite a lot and my Mother is still able to provide care at home.  I don't know for how long.  She is adamant that she will keep him there as long as possible.

Dad has just finished 2 weeks of radiation.  Radiation is used to alleviate pain, it is not used for treatment in his case.  There is no treatment for him and the inevitable will occur within 6 months to a year, at best.  The family has come to accept the seriousness of the situation and we try to spend as much time together as possible.  It is a time to make my Dad as comfortable as possible and make his remaining life as pleasant as possible.  It has been very tough for my Mother as you can imagine.

Franca came for a visit in July and we had a lovely time.  During her visit we celebrated Corina's graduation from Conestoga College.  She is a Health Administrator and is working at Stratford Hospital in Patient Registration until her contract is finished.  Tough to find those permanent full time positions!  She will persevere!

Corina's Graduation Day

Graduation

Corina's Graduation Party in July

Franca making herself useful

This past summer we were able to get my Mom and Dad to Pat's cottage for a couple of great weekends.

Mom at the helm

Dad enjoying the cruise

Viewing the Sunset at Cordova Lake

Dylan is at Mohawk College and has just started his program in Applied Music.  We miss him but we hear from him via texts all the time.  I wish I could see him doing the laundry!  :)

As for me....  I have been having some pain in my abdomen which means the cancer is making itself be known.  CA 125 is up to 386 which is up from 40 a couple of months ago.  It never was gone but it was quiet in a sense.  It gave me the time to relax and enjoy the summer without dealing with chemo side effects.  But now I must begin chemo again.

I have been scheduled for the 1st infusion for Monday, September 16th  in the chemo lounge.  Should only take a couple of hours and I will do this every 4 weeks perhaps for 8 treatments.  This time around we are going with pegylated liposomal DOXOrubicin or Doxil for short.

Wish me luck.  I will post my experience with this drug.

Enjoy the weekend!

Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope - 2013

This year's walk was quite successful.  The participants in the K-W region raised over $75,000 which is more than double last year's efforts!  My team, 'A Late Summer Knight's Dream' raised more than $2700. It was a beautiful Sunday morning and the weather was perfect for our 5 km. walk.   Thanks to my teammates: Caroline Robic, Angie Felgendreher, Carol Dewar and Joanna Mackie.  A special thanks to my husband David for participating as well!  

So many people participated in the walk that they ran out of t-shirts for the registrants!  This is a good problem in that many more people join us on the day of the walk.

Our small but mighty team!

Making sure my toenail colour is perfect!

Ribbon cutting ceremony before the walk

Follow up with Oncologist July 15th

Blood work is great and CA 125 is down to 40.  I am prepared to be admitted for my next chemo and Dr. tells me that my reaction to Carboplatin on June 25th was a 'severe'one.  Who knew?  I knew that I did not care for how I felt during that reaction and that my recovery after chemo was not as easy as the last time.  I had a week of headache and lethargy.  Not myself at all.

Doctor explained that reaction was not good and that more Carboplatin may cause another reaction (very probable) with risk of lowered blood pressure which is not good at all.  Could end up in ICU.  We discussed the idea of taking a break for 6 weeks and revisiting chemo with another drug.  I was all for this.  I feel good.  The CA 125 is in a better place and I feel I can monitor my body to let my doctor know if anything is amiss during this 6 week period.

So for now I am in hiatus of sorts!  Glad not to have to get chemo but a bit nervous about what is happening inside.

Update on my Dad:  We have seen a surgeon, an oncologist and a radiologist.  All are quite negative regarding his prognosis and there is little hope.  We have been in contact with a pancreatic cancer specialist in Toronto and he ordered new scans and diagnostics.  They were all sent to him late last week for second opinion regarding his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.  We are hoping for a slim chance of surgery or something.  Dad's quality of life is good and he is in good spirits.  Many people have come to see him and he enjoys the company.  We just wish he would eat a little more.  He is losing weight and can be quite weak at times.

Pictures of Europe

Promised I would post some pictures of our trip to Europe!

The iconic Eiffel Tower

View of Arc de Triomphe down the Champs Ellysees

Pyramid at the Louvre

Arc de Triomphe

Medieval Castle at Carcassonne, France

View of Nice from Castle Hill

Promenade des Anglais, Nice

Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

Replica of Statue of David in Michelangelo Square in Florence

Another replica in the Palazzo della Signora.  Original is in the Ufizi Gallery.

View of Duomo and Sante Croce

The Vatican

Castel Sant'angelo

Colosseum

Trevi Fountain