ordered a CT scan this past week. The scan was OK, but
I've been on a routine and things are going fairly well. I had my 4th straight "good number" with the CEA reading, so I think we are going to stay on this schedule for a while. I go in every other Tuesday and have the pump on until Thursday when I get "disconnected". I still get neuropathy from the chemo, but it isn't too bad. As a matter of fact, I was able to swim today at Barton Springs (for a little while).
I've had five sessions in a row now, and things seem to be working well. I had a CT scan on Monday and the results were good - a decrease in size of the "multiple liver lesions suggesting response to therapy" and "no additional evidence to suggest progression of metastatic disease". My CEA numbers have also dropped four sessions in a row, to its lowest level in a year. I think the new doctor's aggressive treatment is working! I'm trying not to get overly excited about this because they still can't "cure" me, but any good news like this is very welcome indeed!
Actually I said "Yes". I started a program at Seton for cancer patients who are experiencing fatigue after chemo treatments. It's a study that started out from the Lance Armstrong Foundation and now is a State program and Seton received a grant. They take patients like me and run them through an exercise program over the course of 3 to 6 months to tell if it will reduce fatigue. I think the results are obvious; if you exercise, your fatigue will decrease. The cool thing about this is that I basically have a personal trainer now twice a week - for FREE!
I had my first treatment in a long time today, and I'm glad to be back. The doctor is going to give me a shot for the white blood cells on Thursday when I get my pump disconnected, so we're hoping that won't be a problem anymore. You never know.
I had a nervous breakdown yesterday. I was going to say I almost "lost it" but I actually did lose it. It was when UnitedHealthcare did not approve a CT scan my new doctor requested. I don't know why they did not approve it - I've already had two of them done at the same place. I'm getting convinced that they will deny any claim, no matter what. I'm fighting them on several fronts - they still claim a common drug used for colorectal cancer I received is "experimental". They want me to pony up $7500 for each of six treatments. I'm not sure how much that is but I know I don't have that much in my savings account.
It's been a nice Easter weekend. John and Elsie are in town and we had a huge Easter feast today. Yesterday I actually went swimming - if only for a very short time. I've been avoiding the pool because one of the side effects from the chemo is a hyper-sensitivity to cold. For a few days after treatment, I can't drink anything cold and if I touch something cold I get a tingling and numb feeling in my fingers. It's very uncomfortable and a dip in Barton Springs is out of the question. Fortunately, it doesn't last forever and after last treatment it didn't seem so bad.
Almost every time I go to the doctor's office I have to first go to the lab, where they take your blood and have it analyzed before treatment. I went in today expecting treatment, but because my white blood cell count is low again, I'm going to wait another week before treatment. At first I was concerned but the doc says this happens and not to worry. That's fine by me, it's not like I enjoy the infusions. He said we may have to go on a different schedule - every three weeks instead of every other week. As long as my numbers stay steady we can do that. That's just fine with me!
I'll probably be wearing a lot of hats in the near future, what with my hair falling out and all, but you won't see me on the Texas-Mexico border very often. We went down to Sanderson, Texas a few days ago and drove down to the Rio Grande with some friends. We had a blast and the weather was nice. I'm back to treatment this week, and I hope the numbers keep going down.
I'm "off" this week, so no chemo, no lab, no nothing (except for a minor fight with the insurance company, but don't get me started). A couple of weeks ago I was also "off", so we decided to take advantage of the time and go to San Antonio. We got lucky with the weather and stayed at a hotel on the river walk in San Antonio. It was very nice (except that the pool was under construction, but don't get me started).
I used to work and hang out at the Showdown bar where everybody knows your name. Those days are over, but now I'm such a regular at Texas Oncology that everybody knows my name. Except instead of yelling "James!" ("Norm!") when I come in they say "Hello Mr. Rohlich", "How are you feeling today, Mr. Rohlich"? They're all very nice at Texas Oncology.
I think this is a picture of a white blood cell. My white blood cell count went way up, which is a good thing. I was all set to go to chemo Wednesday when they told me my white blood cell count was very low and as such I should not do chemo this week. Instead they gave me two shots, one Wednesday and one Thursday. The shots cost $4000 each! They had to wait a long time before giving me my first one, to make sure the insurance company would cover it. This morning I had lab work done and they were really surprised at how high my count had gone, so I guess the miraculously high priced drug works. $4000 a shot, wow!
I was supposed to get another treatment this past Wednesday but the lab work indicated that my white blood cell count was low, so the doc gave me a break. I was worried about that, but he said that it happens and we'll start back up this coming Wednesday.
