I had my first appointment with my oncologist this afternoon since the hospital stay. They gave me a week off my Tagrisso to fully recover from all my nausea, diarrhea, lung congestion, etc. all the stuff I was dealing with during my hospital stay. They were concerned Tagrisso was adding to those side affects so they took me off it to be eliminate some variables. I had to confess I started back on Tagrisso as soon as I got home “against” doctor’s orders. I was feeling well enough and I wasn’t going to give cancer another week to work against me. I told him he was allowed to be mad at me, but he didn’t, he said he was happy I stayed on it. Whew! I am not in trouble… like I am not already in enough trouble! lol!
He said the start of the treatments could be rough sometimes as we adjust to every individuals’ responses to medications, so I had a rough start especially with radiation. The treatment goal of reducing pain in my spine through radiation has been achieved. I am no longer in extreme back pain, so we agreed radiation is officially done.
Going forward, we will only do Tagrisso for the next couple of months to see if we could get to a stable period where the medicine can take effect. I will get blood tests every two weeks and stay on a good and easy routine.
Tagrisso is the pill that blocks the gene mutation that produces cancer cells. During the hospital stay, with all the complications going on, they put me through several CT scans. Although they were not meant to measure the effectively of Tagrisso, the report did comment on slight shrinking of the tumor in my lungs and improvement on my nodules. Hopeful signs there.
My energy level has been up and down since my week long hospital stay. I am adjusting my activity levels as I can. Some days I am up, some days I am down. Generally speaking, I am getting better overall. I was able to do a slow set of tai chi here and there. It feels good to be able to get in touch with my body again through tai chi.
Hi Helena
I had sent you a message on your website, but I’m not sure you got it.
Susan Arthur, at D’Arcy, where we work, said she’d sent you an email & heard back, so I thought I’d write too. You write very well, by the way, & Susan, a former journalist, says the same.
If you didn’t see my message I’ll say it again. I am inspired & impressed, with you sharing your experiences, and heart, with the world.
You are certainly embracing the things that Master Moy used to say, to people facing major challenges to their health & really all of us. To fight for our health & to make the most of our time here.
We are chanting for you at D’Arcy, and I will continue to send some dan yus your way! I hope and look forward to the time we can all be practicing together at a workshop again. And if we are acting with compassion, I think we are all together wherever we are.
With love to you, your family and all your friends.
Chris
Thank you so much for Master Moy’s words of wisdom!
This all sounds great! One pill; energy up (sometimes is good); no exteme back pain; no more radiation; getting better; TAI CHI!
I’m glad the doc wasn’t mad at you. haha.
Note: I told you, you’re a good writer.
pal, your “positivity” is so inspirational!! Look forward to read your journals :0)