Hello Everyone! I hope this blogpost finds you all well and happy 😀. I have been blessed in many ways since the last post. We still have some questions, but we are moving forward with faith.
I was supposed to have another chemo cycle at the end of January, but that didn't happen. Here is the story...
Mid January, I was experiencing pain in my left shoulder. I went to the doctor and they ordered an x-ray and an MRI. Two small tears in the bicep and possible small tear in the tendon. Thankfully nothing was of major concern. They gave me a cortisone shot and sent me on my way. That seemed to do the trick and I was pain free again.
A few days later, I started the next round of chemotherapy with my Vincristine infusion. Later that day I wasn't feeling well and not keeping things down. I ended up going to the hospital out of concerns for dehydration. They took a scan and diagnosed me with a bowel illuis. We had to wait for my bowel to wake up and start doing its job. This unplanned hospital visit caused me to miss the rest of the chemo cycle.
We thought things were on the mend, but a week or so later, my stomach started to hurt again. I was keeping things down, so that was good, but I did not feel well. I missed the Kotter family devotional and felt miserable all weekend. Monday was a holiday, or else we would have went up to Huntsman. I was on a liquid diet, just to be safe. I ate so many popsicles. I woke up Tuesday morning feeling better than I had felt for the past 3 days. We still went up to Huntsman, hoping they could give us some answers. They couldn't find anything, so they sent me home with the plans to get an upper GI scope and a colonoscopy.
My wonderful father-in-law helped a miracle happen and convinced their GI doc to do the upper scope and colonoscopy the following Tuesday (Tuesday of this week). The scoping when well. The doctor did not find anything majorly wrong. I have a spot in the esophagus that stomach acid has eaten away at. He gave me a prescription for that. The funny thing is that I rarely get heartburn. The other thing he said was that my colon was rigid. It was not as flexible as a colon should be. (I have never been known for my flexibility - ha ha) This may contribute to constipation, so I am supposed to take Miralax everyday. Fun, Fun!
We talked to Dr Chalmers at Huntsman (she is my oncologist) about the different options for treatment. We all agreed to stop taking Vincristine, at least for a season. It is known to contribute to bowel issues. It may end up being an on and off thing as it is effective at keeping the tumors from growing - but it comes with a price. The options we discussed are (1) keep taking temozolomide and Irinotecan - the oral chemo I take 5 days a week at the beginning of the cycle, (2) take a new drug that may or may not help - it would be a gamble as there is not a lot of studies done with my type of cancer, and (3) go to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in Manhattan, New York for a clinical trial. This would be another gamble.
It was a tough discussion. There are just not enough cases to give doctors a clear and effective treatment plan. It is good in a way, as I would not want anyone else to go through this. Also, you cannot be too sick or else they may not let you in the study. Doing the same thing that you have been doing and expecting different results, is kind of crazy. Trying a new drug could back fire on a patient. So many "what if"'s.......
I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost and for personal revelation. I am also thankful for a Father in Heaven that wants us to learn and grow and increase in our abilities. I am thankful for a Savior that comforts and strengthens us during the struggle, as we try to figure out what the correct path forward is. I know that He will now allow us to walk to wrong path for tool long if we are constantly seeking and learning and asking. By myself, I am weak; but with Christ, I can do all things. I know Heavenly Father will give me inspiration through the Holy Ghost and that Jesus will give me the strength to act on it. I know he will do the same for you!
So, right now, we are planning on option 1 - keep taking the temozolomide and Irinotecan. We feel that right now is too early for the study, but maybe later this year. Option 2 is still on the table if option 1 results in significant cancer growth. We go forward in faith.
Thank you for your prayers, love, and support. I feel your strength often. I know that angels are watching over us, both the seen and the un-seen.
I almost forgot: Exciting news, I am getting my COVID-19 vaccine on Monday - Hooray!! I am so thankful for modern medicine and all the advancements that Heavenly Father has inspired.
Thank you again for all you do for me and my family.
May God bless you all, Doug.
