Another Infusion and Testing

Last Friday, October 17, was another infusion day.  We also saw the doctor.  My question to him based on his comments a week ago was, "If the baseline CT Scan and bloodwork did not really show any cancer, and if the upcoming follow-up (and post-chemo) CT Scan and bloodwork show the same results, then how do we know that chemo is even working or doing anything?"  He explained that this was the whole essence of what they do at the Huntsman Cancer Institute is to offer prescribed treatments at the earliest possible time, which then extends the life of cancer patients.  He acknowledged that the only evidence that I even have cancer is from the surgeries and associated pathology reports.

He also said that we could delay further infusions until future tests indicate more chemo or if I start feeling bad.  The choice of course is ours.  We do plan on doing the clinical trial mentioned in earlier posts.  I will see him again on Halloween and a decision will be made.

On Monday the 20th, we had the follow-up CT scan and bloodwork that will look for cancer markers in the blood.  We'll talk about results at the next appointment with the doctor.

I continue to monitor blood glucose levels and do the insulin shots plus metformin pills.  It kind of spiked right after the chemo because of the steroids to keep me from being nauseated.  I've passed the worst part, and now I'm back again to mostly levels mostly before 200 just prior to meals.  I know that is high for a normal person but, considering I had an 800+ reading when I was first diagnosed with diabetes a few weeks ago, this is a huge improvement.

The good news: at least a two week break from chemo!

The Last Two Weeks

Yesterday was the first day of the third cycle of chemotherapy.  That means I had an infusion of chemo and will have another next Friday. This was coming off a two week break from chemo.

I'd like to say that it was a peaceful two weeks, but it was filled with the stress of learning to deal with blood glucose issues and getting blood sugar levels stabilized to more reasonable ranges.  I check my blood three times a day prior to eating.  Then I inject insulin on a sliding scale based on the readings.  Additionally, I am now taking medication for Type 2 diabetes with the morning meal and the evening one.  Finally diet has changed to limit portion size and reduce carbohydrate intake.  I need to always be thinking with the filter of diabetes.  Needless to say, all of this is still sinking in and are major changes in lifestyle.  It almost rivals the cancer diagnosis, except for knowing that it can be controlled with highly proven methods. Also there is a clear hope that with diet and exercise I can roll-back to pre-diabetes and go off meds and insulin.

We got some additional information regarding my treatment plan yesterday during the infusion visit.  We will do the CT Scan and blood work soon after next week's infusion.  Then there will be more chemo -- possibly  indefinitely -- just with longer breaks between the cycles.  So I have infusions scheduled now for Oct 31 and Nov 7th that had not been scheduled previously.

The rest of the news is that I will be scheduled for the clinical trial which will be conducted at Huntsman Cancer Institute.  This trial treats the immune system and reprograms it so it attacks the cancer cells instead of ignoring them.  It has shown promising results in other types of cancer and will be tried here once approvals are accomplished in one or two months.  Of course i would have to qualify individually -- not being sick with colds, flu etc.  I don't know all of what could keep me from qualifying, but I do know that I have to be off of chemo for a month before I could begin the trial.  There is more to learn about this, but I am encouraged with what we know so far.

I guess I have been kind of down in terms of attitude this past two weeks.  The double whammy of Cancer and now Diabetes is tough when they are so close together.  The constant love and support of Kath has helped.  Ray and his ability to provide comic relief in these hard times, and calls from Beth and Alex mean a great deal.  I know I've got lots of supporters from siblings to friends.  The ward has provided meals around chemo days so there have been new, delicious tastes in our lives.  I know that my name and my family's names are on the rolls of many temples.  I will never be able to adequately express my appreciation to my large support system, but I do want to thank those who are part it for all you do.