This morning Ann McCune picked me up for a day of scans and a brain MRI. I am so thankful that she was with me (not only because she's my friend) but because she is a nurse. Now that Oxygen is in my life, I can't go anywhere alone. It's a job packing my tank around and if you know me...you know that I'm also carting around a purse full of junk (and carrying that is a job of it's own).
Tomorrow is another busy day. We have our first appointment of the day at 7:20am. My new chemo starts at 9:30. I'm always anxious on that day because you never know how your body will react to the new chemicals.
After the tests today Ann and I went out and had an early dinner (really just happy hour appetizers) then off to see the movie "Precious". It was a very deep and sad movie but I'm glad we went.
Bob and Dy are coming to visit this weekend. We're looking forward to their company. Dave and Val are staying on this side of the mountain this weekend as well. I hope my new chemo doesn't get the better of me. It's the pits when you're not feeling well and you have a house full of company.
I'll write more tomorrow to let you know how it all worked out.
Dreaming Big,
Dor
Hi Doreen- my husband, also a stage IV survivor (9 months and counting many more!) took glutamine in powdered form to counteract the effects of Alimta, which can cause some flu-like aches and pains. Ask your doctor if this is acceptable- it did seem to help my husband. He also took a very low dose of steroid on the day of chemo, halving it the next two days, off by the fourth day.
ReplyDeleteGood luck-
Joan
Dear Doreen, Thank you for sharing your life with us. I am so grateful for the encouraging support I have found in your thoughts. Thanks to you I knew it is possible to live to the fullest despite our illness. Life is not easy, but at hard times it helps to have a shoulder to cry on.
ReplyDeleteWhat I wanted to tell you is that I have been on Alimta since May and it is working very well. I have the same BAC cancer as you have. Thanks to Alimta the primary tumor in my lung has shrinked by one third and also the infiltrates and other lesions have decreased. I am feeling so much better than a year ago. If I were not coughing I would not know there is anything wrong with me. There are very few side effects, which don't last long. I believe you will also respond to Alimta and that some day they will find a cure for both of us. Let's keep on fighting.
Wishing you all good things,
Paula from Finland
PS. Last time we discussed lung transplants. So far I have not been able to get more information about my chances, but I keep on dreaming about new lungs. How about you?