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.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
6th cycle
27th February 2009, Friday
Started on 6th chemo cycle 2 days ago. Tumor marker had gone up marginally from 247 to 262, but Dr Toh (my oncologist) said that it was still within acceptable range and had increase the dosage of the new drug that he gave me from 100mg to 150mg. That will make me more goggy. Luckily I am not working now and can sleep more.
We discussed again on the options of surgery as only surgery can help to remove the cancer cells almost completely. Unfortunately, for my case, I can't do surgery as the cancer cells are on both lopes of my liver. Dr Toh assured me that I am progressing well with the medication. A more detailed discussion on the next steps will be conducted after the PET scan, which will be performed after the 8th cycle. So that will be likely in early May. He tells me to just stay focus on each chemo cycle and get well and not to worry too much. As it is, he told me that I am an outliner and have progressed well with the treatment, considering that bile duct cancer is a fast acting cancer and I manage to bring down the tumor marker from 890 (before chemo) to 200+. The balance are the resistant cancer cells which probably needs more bullets and bombs to shoot them down. He says that there are other treatments that he has yet to discuss with me, as we will wait for the PET scan result for the verdict. Cross the bridge when we reach there.
I spoke with the Chinese sinseh. She had the same opinion that I should not do surgery, as the surgery is only a local solution, but likely the cancer cells are already floating in my blood stream. Also, with a major surgery, my immunity will be low and that will be a good chance for the cancer cells to attack me more aggressively. She said that even if the western medicine runs out of idea, TCM could still help as they are now only playing a complimentary role now and will move up to lead role when required. She can't raise the bar for TCM on me yet, as she is concerned that my health may not be able to take it. She also tells me to take one step at a time.
Initially, I was a bit upset on Wednesday and felt really lousy. But I tell myself never give up this fight against the cancer cells. If I give up on myself, the cancer cells will be popping champagne inside my body. I will not let them have an easy time inside.
I have started on alkaline water for 2 weeks. Read that cancer cells thrive in acidic environment. With the alkaline water, it is supposed to be anti-oxidant and the water molecules are smaller and hence better absorbent by the body. Hopefully this helps.
Also, a friend sends me a write up on Kachahatrian Effect Protocol –KEP, by a renowned Russian scientist. Will need to check up on him and consult with the oncologist.
Started on 6th chemo cycle 2 days ago. Tumor marker had gone up marginally from 247 to 262, but Dr Toh (my oncologist) said that it was still within acceptable range and had increase the dosage of the new drug that he gave me from 100mg to 150mg. That will make me more goggy. Luckily I am not working now and can sleep more.
We discussed again on the options of surgery as only surgery can help to remove the cancer cells almost completely. Unfortunately, for my case, I can't do surgery as the cancer cells are on both lopes of my liver. Dr Toh assured me that I am progressing well with the medication. A more detailed discussion on the next steps will be conducted after the PET scan, which will be performed after the 8th cycle. So that will be likely in early May. He tells me to just stay focus on each chemo cycle and get well and not to worry too much. As it is, he told me that I am an outliner and have progressed well with the treatment, considering that bile duct cancer is a fast acting cancer and I manage to bring down the tumor marker from 890 (before chemo) to 200+. The balance are the resistant cancer cells which probably needs more bullets and bombs to shoot them down. He says that there are other treatments that he has yet to discuss with me, as we will wait for the PET scan result for the verdict. Cross the bridge when we reach there.
I spoke with the Chinese sinseh. She had the same opinion that I should not do surgery, as the surgery is only a local solution, but likely the cancer cells are already floating in my blood stream. Also, with a major surgery, my immunity will be low and that will be a good chance for the cancer cells to attack me more aggressively. She said that even if the western medicine runs out of idea, TCM could still help as they are now only playing a complimentary role now and will move up to lead role when required. She can't raise the bar for TCM on me yet, as she is concerned that my health may not be able to take it. She also tells me to take one step at a time.
Initially, I was a bit upset on Wednesday and felt really lousy. But I tell myself never give up this fight against the cancer cells. If I give up on myself, the cancer cells will be popping champagne inside my body. I will not let them have an easy time inside.
I have started on alkaline water for 2 weeks. Read that cancer cells thrive in acidic environment. With the alkaline water, it is supposed to be anti-oxidant and the water molecules are smaller and hence better absorbent by the body. Hopefully this helps.
Also, a friend sends me a write up on Kachahatrian Effect Protocol –KEP, by a renowned Russian scientist. Will need to check up on him and consult with the oncologist.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
5 per cent
18 February 2009, Wednesday
I have been geting complaints that I am not updating my blogs as regularly as I should. Sorry for the laziness.
The 5th chemo cycle goes through smoothly (fingers crossed) and now I am in my rest week, before starting the 6th cycle on 25 Feb. Got a scare on Sunday when there were rashes developed on both thighs. There were numerous red spots, but were not itchy. On Monday, the spots were still there. So I asked the Chinese sinseh when I saw her at night. She was a bit concerned initially, as the red spots could mean that my platetet count is in dangerously low level. However, the blood test results that I took just a few days ago showed that the platetet was in the normal range (actually just pass the minimum level), so she doubt that could be the reason. She modified the medication and does wonder with her medicine. After taking the medicine for one day, the rashes are gone. So, it is worth it to take her medicine, even though it means 34 sachets of chinese herbs powder.
I had read in the internet sometime ago, that only 5% of patients with bile duct cancer can survive more than 5 years. Same statistics as pancreatic cancer. Not sure if I can break that statistic, as it means that there are only 5 out of every 100 patients. A friend told me that the statistics to me should be 50%. Either make it or not. So this is a higher probablility.
I was reading Shin's blog just now and one of the follower commented that her husband passed on 2 months after the diagnosis and he first knew the illness in mid Oct, which was the same time as me. I guess I am much luckier than him that I can still try and respond well to the chemo treatments. I am really grateful to my religion that I have survived this far. I guess it also helps that I am on the heavy side. So, there are more buffer for any weight loss, if any. I have more or less maintained the same weight since I started chemo. It fluctuates within 2 kg range, but nevertheless, I am still heavier than before starting chemo.
While waiting for my chemo treatment at NCC last Thursday, I saw a patient who was frail and sitting on a wheelchair. I started a conversation with him and asked him to consider TCM. He was initially resisitant about it. He was 41 years old with 3 kids, cancer at the liver and small intestines. He insisted on chemo, even though his oncologist did not recommend it. I told him that TCM helps to provide the immunity and base to tolerate the chemo. He looked stubborn, but his sister was telling me that they had try to talk to him and he refused to listen. She hoped that when he saw my physical look, he will give it a try. Eventually, he asked for the name card of my Chinese sinseh. I really hope that he will see the TCM doctor, and not just to get rid of me by taking the namecard.
I have been geting complaints that I am not updating my blogs as regularly as I should. Sorry for the laziness.
The 5th chemo cycle goes through smoothly (fingers crossed) and now I am in my rest week, before starting the 6th cycle on 25 Feb. Got a scare on Sunday when there were rashes developed on both thighs. There were numerous red spots, but were not itchy. On Monday, the spots were still there. So I asked the Chinese sinseh when I saw her at night. She was a bit concerned initially, as the red spots could mean that my platetet count is in dangerously low level. However, the blood test results that I took just a few days ago showed that the platetet was in the normal range (actually just pass the minimum level), so she doubt that could be the reason. She modified the medication and does wonder with her medicine. After taking the medicine for one day, the rashes are gone. So, it is worth it to take her medicine, even though it means 34 sachets of chinese herbs powder.
I had read in the internet sometime ago, that only 5% of patients with bile duct cancer can survive more than 5 years. Same statistics as pancreatic cancer. Not sure if I can break that statistic, as it means that there are only 5 out of every 100 patients. A friend told me that the statistics to me should be 50%. Either make it or not. So this is a higher probablility.
I was reading Shin's blog just now and one of the follower commented that her husband passed on 2 months after the diagnosis and he first knew the illness in mid Oct, which was the same time as me. I guess I am much luckier than him that I can still try and respond well to the chemo treatments. I am really grateful to my religion that I have survived this far. I guess it also helps that I am on the heavy side. So, there are more buffer for any weight loss, if any. I have more or less maintained the same weight since I started chemo. It fluctuates within 2 kg range, but nevertheless, I am still heavier than before starting chemo.
While waiting for my chemo treatment at NCC last Thursday, I saw a patient who was frail and sitting on a wheelchair. I started a conversation with him and asked him to consider TCM. He was initially resisitant about it. He was 41 years old with 3 kids, cancer at the liver and small intestines. He insisted on chemo, even though his oncologist did not recommend it. I told him that TCM helps to provide the immunity and base to tolerate the chemo. He looked stubborn, but his sister was telling me that they had try to talk to him and he refused to listen. She hoped that when he saw my physical look, he will give it a try. Eventually, he asked for the name card of my Chinese sinseh. I really hope that he will see the TCM doctor, and not just to get rid of me by taking the namecard.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Spring cleaning
5 February 2009, Thursday
When I was helping with the spring cleaning on the last day of pre-CNY, it brought back memories of my childhood days.
My father was a newspaper vendor for as long as I can remember. So, there were only a handful of off days for us, as we also helped him with mending the newspaper stall. On the last day of pre-CNY, we would be busy cleaning the house as a family, while my mum would be cooking. The food would be first offered to the ancestors, before we sat down and eat. Usually, the last chore for the night would be washing and mopping the floor and we would leave the honourable task to my elder brother. Those were the days....
So this year, my hubby got the kids to help with cleaning the doors and windows on areas that they could reach. They were enthusiatic and helped for a while. But soon they got bored. Well, I hope this memory will stay with them, just as they had stayed with me.
When I was helping with the spring cleaning on the last day of pre-CNY, it brought back memories of my childhood days.
My father was a newspaper vendor for as long as I can remember. So, there were only a handful of off days for us, as we also helped him with mending the newspaper stall. On the last day of pre-CNY, we would be busy cleaning the house as a family, while my mum would be cooking. The food would be first offered to the ancestors, before we sat down and eat. Usually, the last chore for the night would be washing and mopping the floor and we would leave the honourable task to my elder brother. Those were the days....
So this year, my hubby got the kids to help with cleaning the doors and windows on areas that they could reach. They were enthusiatic and helped for a while. But soon they got bored. Well, I hope this memory will stay with them, just as they had stayed with me.
Alvin, generous boy for once
5 February 2009, Thursday
On the first day of CNY, we were offering oranges to everybody within the family. Angeline asked if she should also gave oranges to Alvin and we said yes, as a mode of respect for the elders. Alvin turned around and asked if he needed to give Angeline a red packet, as he received one from each of the adults. So, we teased him and said yes, knowing that he is such a miser.
He quickly took his coin box and a red packet and ran into the bedroom. Soon after, he came out of the bedroom with a red packet on hand and gave it to Angeline. The adults were all jokingly saying that at best, he would only gave his sister $2. To all our surprise, he actually gave his sister $30. Not bad for someone who treasures his every cents.
At night, he told us that he was rich with the hongbao money. So I suggested to him that he should gave us a McDonald breakfast treat and agreed immediately. So, next morning, we went to McDonald and he paid for the breakfast without a wink.
Oh yes, must also talk about his another generous act. We went for a movie, after dinner on their birthday. He forked out $10 for his movie ticket. When we were home, we told him that $10 was not enough for the whole family to watch the show and it costed $50. So, he willingly took out $50 to me and told me to return the $10 that he had previously given to me.
So, this boy is really not that bad after all. At times, he says that he is saving his money to buy a big house. On other occasions, he will say that he wants to keep his money to buy PSP/Nintendo which he knows that I will not buy for him. I am more concerned that he will be indulged with the game machine and ruin his eye sight, which is already quite bad for a boy of his age.
On the first day of CNY, we were offering oranges to everybody within the family. Angeline asked if she should also gave oranges to Alvin and we said yes, as a mode of respect for the elders. Alvin turned around and asked if he needed to give Angeline a red packet, as he received one from each of the adults. So, we teased him and said yes, knowing that he is such a miser.
He quickly took his coin box and a red packet and ran into the bedroom. Soon after, he came out of the bedroom with a red packet on hand and gave it to Angeline. The adults were all jokingly saying that at best, he would only gave his sister $2. To all our surprise, he actually gave his sister $30. Not bad for someone who treasures his every cents.
At night, he told us that he was rich with the hongbao money. So I suggested to him that he should gave us a McDonald breakfast treat and agreed immediately. So, next morning, we went to McDonald and he paid for the breakfast without a wink.
Oh yes, must also talk about his another generous act. We went for a movie, after dinner on their birthday. He forked out $10 for his movie ticket. When we were home, we told him that $10 was not enough for the whole family to watch the show and it costed $50. So, he willingly took out $50 to me and told me to return the $10 that he had previously given to me.
So, this boy is really not that bad after all. At times, he says that he is saving his money to buy a big house. On other occasions, he will say that he wants to keep his money to buy PSP/Nintendo which he knows that I will not buy for him. I am more concerned that he will be indulged with the game machine and ruin his eye sight, which is already quite bad for a boy of his age.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
