28 March 2009, Saturday
Got the results for the PET scan yesterday. It's a mixed of good and bad news. Good news is that there is some reduction in the cancer activity for the major mass of cancer cells on the liver. It has not spread to other organs and the functionality of my major organs, including the liver, has not been affected; the bad news is that there are 3 new spots within the liver that have shown up. In addition, one cancer cell on the lymph node on the left shoulder has doubled its size and increase cancer activity. The verdict is that the current medication that I'm taking has lost its effectivetiness.
The pain that I am experiencing lately is due to the swollen liver, arising from the cancer cells. Will have to make do with pain killers for time being while using the new medication to solve the cause of the problem.
The oncologist recommended that I should try the "smart drug", where these medicines are not chemo drugs, but are used for treating cancers. They are Avastin & Rapamycin. The objectives of the former drug is to stop the blood vessels for supplying nutrients to the cancer cells and is given once every 3 weeks intravenaously and the latter drug is to stop the cancer cells from duplicating and has to be taken orally on a daily basis. Both of them have side effects, such as nausea, vomitting, rash, breathlessness, headache, constpiation/diarrhoea and the former drug can also cause increase in blood pressure. The costs are also more expensive, almost double the costs for my 1st set of medicine.
TCM has also modified her medication to give me something to fight against the toxic, since I am not on chemo drugs.I started on the new medicine yesterday.
Praying hard that this time my body will respond better to the new drugs.
Will only know the effectiveness of the new drug until 2 or 3 cycles later, then I will go for another PET scan.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
No chemo
26th March 2009, Thursday
7th chemo cycle didn't proceed as planned as my tumour marker has gone up again, from 262 to 326. The oncologist suddested that I should do a PET scan first and decide what to do next. If my tumour marker has dropped, he will press on with the chemo cycles to complete up till 8 cycles. Unfortunately, the last 2 tumour marker readings had gone up.
Went for PET scan yesterday. The results will be out tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed. I have also told doc that I am experiencing pain (and more frequently in the last 2 weeks) at the liver area where the cancer cells are. I asked him if this was a sign of deterioriation and he nodded his head. No matter what, I still have to keep my spirit up! My girlfriend was analysisng with me that the only 2 changes during the 6th cycle is the alkaline water that I started drinking from mid Feb and the increased dosage for one of the oral chemo drug. Not sure if this could be the reason that I am experiencing the pain. So, she suggested that I should stop drinking alkaline water for the time being. Will heed her advice and see how it goes.
7th chemo cycle didn't proceed as planned as my tumour marker has gone up again, from 262 to 326. The oncologist suddested that I should do a PET scan first and decide what to do next. If my tumour marker has dropped, he will press on with the chemo cycles to complete up till 8 cycles. Unfortunately, the last 2 tumour marker readings had gone up.
Went for PET scan yesterday. The results will be out tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed. I have also told doc that I am experiencing pain (and more frequently in the last 2 weeks) at the liver area where the cancer cells are. I asked him if this was a sign of deterioriation and he nodded his head. No matter what, I still have to keep my spirit up! My girlfriend was analysisng with me that the only 2 changes during the 6th cycle is the alkaline water that I started drinking from mid Feb and the increased dosage for one of the oral chemo drug. Not sure if this could be the reason that I am experiencing the pain. So, she suggested that I should stop drinking alkaline water for the time being. Will heed her advice and see how it goes.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
What have you been up to?
21 March 2009, Saturday
I got a few sms lately, asking how am I getting along and what I am up to. My apologies for not updating promptly. Quite a few things happened recently.
My 6th cycle has been very challenging. Lose a bit of weight, probably due to the poor appetite that I am experiencing. Also, I perspire a lot. The Chinese sinseh said that this could be due to the hormonal changes in me and it is also a signal of weakness in me. My menses have been very irregular. It comes twice a month and now on weekly basis. I also get tire easily.
My mum-in-law's godfather passed away last week and we were at the wake almost every night. He was 80 years old when he died and quite suddenly. His wife still can't accept his demise and has been crying every day. They are such loving couple and have been married for at least 50 years I think. It is always the survivng people who will feel more of the pain for the loss.
The family also went to Sentosa on Wednesday and we stayed in Rasa Sentosa for 2 nights. Quite a pleasant stay and the kids enjoyed themselves a lot with the pool and of course the proximity to the beach. We tried out Cineblast and 4D magic. Quite fun and the price is quite steep for a short 10 mins. Luckily there is a promotion now that the kids get to go in for free. The children enjoyed the luge and skyride the most. One is definitely not enough. Generally a fun short getaway, except that the food there is not fantastic.
I will be starting my 7th chemo cycle on 24th March. Will be going for blood test on 23rd March, review the results and see the oncologist before starting the chemo. I hope my health is in a ready state to complete the remaining sessions. If all goes well, I should have finish the chemo treatments by end Apr. Then, I will do a PET scan and discuss with the oncologist on the next course of action.
I got a few sms lately, asking how am I getting along and what I am up to. My apologies for not updating promptly. Quite a few things happened recently.
My 6th cycle has been very challenging. Lose a bit of weight, probably due to the poor appetite that I am experiencing. Also, I perspire a lot. The Chinese sinseh said that this could be due to the hormonal changes in me and it is also a signal of weakness in me. My menses have been very irregular. It comes twice a month and now on weekly basis. I also get tire easily.
My mum-in-law's godfather passed away last week and we were at the wake almost every night. He was 80 years old when he died and quite suddenly. His wife still can't accept his demise and has been crying every day. They are such loving couple and have been married for at least 50 years I think. It is always the survivng people who will feel more of the pain for the loss.
The family also went to Sentosa on Wednesday and we stayed in Rasa Sentosa for 2 nights. Quite a pleasant stay and the kids enjoyed themselves a lot with the pool and of course the proximity to the beach. We tried out Cineblast and 4D magic. Quite fun and the price is quite steep for a short 10 mins. Luckily there is a promotion now that the kids get to go in for free. The children enjoyed the luge and skyride the most. One is definitely not enough. Generally a fun short getaway, except that the food there is not fantastic.
I will be starting my 7th chemo cycle on 24th March. Will be going for blood test on 23rd March, review the results and see the oncologist before starting the chemo. I hope my health is in a ready state to complete the remaining sessions. If all goes well, I should have finish the chemo treatments by end Apr. Then, I will do a PET scan and discuss with the oncologist on the next course of action.
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