Chemo. Round 2. Day 4. Appointment with Dr. Robinson.

Backstory. I recently asked Dr. Robinson for a CT scan because I have a lump in my lower abdomen that’s sizeable and has not gone away.

Labs and the CT. I had labs on Monday that indicated impaired liver function. I had the CT on Tuesday, and it indicated multiple sites of disease.

Today’s visit. I want to start out by saying I am so glad I am back in Wilmington for care. Dr. Robinson is pretty awesome, and it is so easy to pop over to Zimmer for appointments like this instead of driving all the way to Durham.

Monday’s lab indicated impaired liver function. Combined with the CT results, I thought Dr. Robinson would point to the cancerous nodules as the cause of that impaired function. Instead, he believes that the liver function impairment might be because of Taxol (one of my chemotherapy drugs), not the cancer. He has been leaning toward changing my chemo drugs anyway because Taxol is so harsh on the body and I have had platelet and ANC issues. If the decision is made to change my chemo regiment, we will likely choose Abraxane instead of Taxol.

He wants me to continue chemo, and he wants me to complete 6 rounds, if possible. The reason he had agreed to the CT at my request was because I have had a lump in my lower abdomen. The CT scan showed that is an enlarged lymph node, not a cancerous nodule, so he was confident that we're not in any great rush with making any changes to treatment at this point.

He wants me to have blood work and see him again May 11 with the goal being to have Round 3 of chemo on May 18.

I am going to Duke the afternoon of May 11 to check in with Dr. Rossi, and Dr. Robinson is aware of that. He also knows I have spoken with Dr. Hillman in San Diego. Dr. Hillman's opinion was to do at least 3 rounds of chemo before making any decisions, so this all tracks.

Dr. Robinson also said he had no problem with me traveling as planned the next two weeks. So, all in all this was a good and reassuring visit, and today he shared that he has other patients with recurrent GCT and has tried a variety of treatments with them. In 2023, that was not the case.

I came home to this amazing surprise from some dear friends. The card read in part: “My husband collects shark teeth, and he wanted you to have these. When he looks at them, he sees a creation of God’s that weathered harsh conditions and even though battered, survived. We hope these will be a symbol of God’s goodness, sovereignty, and love for you.”

How thankful I am for all of you, my kind friends, who continue to encourage me day-by-day.

April 27. Chemo Round 2. At last.

Today I had Round 2 of chemo on the day we were expecting to do Round 3. I’m so glad to finally be back on track!

I had time to do my usual morning routine before arriving at Zimmer at 8 am, first for the port lab, then the visit with Dr. Robinson, and then the infusion at 9:30. Cold capping started 50 minutes before the 1st infusion.

I started to experience nausea during the pre-infusion meds, so I was encouraged to eat a little snack provided by Zimmer. I felt like I was back in elementary school, but it was so, so good!

The prescribed amount of both Taxol and Carbo was reduced for this infusion. We’ll see if this helps my body with recovery. The worst part of the three-hour Taxol infusion was keeping my hands and feet ice cold, but this is a necessary part of preventing neuropathy, and I am thankful for these new ice packs that are far superior to what we used the first round.

The Carbo infusion lasted one hour, and we were finished just before 3 p.m.

Crystal and I were out the door by 3 pm and headed home to continue cold capping for 5 more hours.

Best part of the day? Clara and her mom and dad came to visit!

Cold capping will be over about 7:45 pm. And I can hardly wait. It’s been a long day.

Tomorrow morning at 7:45 I have a CT scan that will give better insight into why my inhibins continue to rise.

The following is an excerpt from part of my morning reading, Joyful Anyway, by Kate Bowler.

It's a new week

Thank you for all the prayers and support last week. My next infusion date is April 6.

I am feeling like myself again and planning to enjoy this down time before Round 2.

Today was my 2nd post-chemo shampoo. So far, so good.