Well, one at least.
Returned home from Las Vegas (will detail the trip in a future post) last night to find a message from my oncologist waiting on my home phone. Seems a new clinical trial has just opened that she thinks will be perfect for someone in my position. I don't have all in the info yet (will pick up the consent form when I head into the BC Cancer Agency on Friday for the scheduled CT scan) but it sounds like a great option.
This new trial is designed for people like me who have Her2+ breast cancer that no longer responds to Herceptin. The trial includes a "cell poison" that goes by the rather uninteresting name of TDM1. Not sure if that translates into Transcendental Meditation position #1 or something equally enlightening, but I do know this is an IV drug that will be administered every three weeks - oh shades of my life two years ago! There is also a 50/50 chance that Lapatinib (the drug from the trial I'm already scheduled to go on) will also be thrown into the mix. The focus of the trial appears to be determining which of the two studied cocktails is more active re controlling the cancer over a longer period of time after Herceptin failure. The bonus attraction to signing on for this trial is that I cannot have taken Lapatinib prior to starting this trial, whereas the original trial had no such restriction. Thus, by going with the new trial first, I have another option (the original trial) to fall back on. I'll provide clearer details once I learn them, likely after receiving the consent forms on Friday.
In case I do opt for the new trial, Friday's CT scan has been expanded to also include images of my head and pelvic area. Rest assured, any findings of active grey matter or other similar minor wonders will be reported.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Viva Las Vegas!
It's been quite the week. Had a MUGA scan on Monday, a bone scan on Wednesday, and a blood test in between. All are prep for the drug trial I start on February 8. I'm getting pretty used to this stuff. Even so, I continue to find little bits of oddness in it all. For example, during an earlier bone scan, due to the back and forth motion of the x-ray bed, I could imagine being a sheet of paper on the copy surface of one of those old photocopiers that operated by having the entire mechanism shift back and forth. Had a similar sensation this go 'round, but only briefly. Opened my eyes for an instant and saw the x-ray plate coming within a fraction of an inch of my nose - suddenly I had great sympathy for any cheese sandwich that managed a close encounter with a panini press. The truly horrifying part of the whole procedure, however, came at the end of the scan when I asked the tech if I could see the image on her computer screen (the one I could see from my vantage point was for positioning only so was very grainy and not at all flattering). I was amazed to see a rather dark shape in the centre of my pelvic region. Apparently I hadn't emptied my bladder quite as well as I had thought (don't ya just hate when there is such blatant proof that you could have done something better?). The outline of my skeleton was very neat. The image was quite small, so not a lot of detail was visible to my untrained eye. Still, I could clearly see that the knee bone was, in fact, connected to the thigh bone, and the thigh bone connected to the hip bone, and so on. Equally visible was the faint outline of my skin. Trust me when I say a three-way mirror in a dimly lit fitting room is more flattering. Is my ass REALLY that big?
No matter. I'm about to leave all this madness behind for a few days. Penny and I are off on a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas! This will be the first time either of us has been there. Hope we don't get overwhelmed by the seemingly endless list of things to do. Right now, I'm trying to figure out what to pack. A quick check of weather in Vegas tells me it will be around 14C/4C while we are there. Hmmm, what to wear, what to wear? After all, I want to fit in. Perhaps this photo holds a clue? (Yes, that's Penny's doppleganger doing the knitting. Me? Let's just say I couldn't find any blue suede shoes.) And people wonder why what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.)
No matter. I'm about to leave all this madness behind for a few days. Penny and I are off on a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas! This will be the first time either of us has been there. Hope we don't get overwhelmed by the seemingly endless list of things to do. Right now, I'm trying to figure out what to pack. A quick check of weather in Vegas tells me it will be around 14C/4C while we are there. Hmmm, what to wear, what to wear? After all, I want to fit in. Perhaps this photo holds a clue? (Yes, that's Penny's doppleganger doing the knitting. Me? Let's just say I couldn't find any blue suede shoes.) And people wonder why what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.)
The North Yorkshire Elvis Bus Tour
Saturday, January 15, 2011
I'm Number Two - or deja vu all over again
Received wonderful news from my oncologist. The drug trial is back on again. Yippee!! I'm very excited as this is not only my best treatment option, but also the one that will produce the best tolerated side effects. Fortunately, the clotting issue that was discovered earlier translates into closer monitoring of my progress during the trial as well as speedier remedies should any issues develop. So double good news on that front.
The pre-trial testing has already begun. I had a chest x-ray and first round of blood tests on Wed when I was at the Cancer Agency meeting with the oncologist. I have a MUGA scan scheduled for Monday, and a bone scan on Wednesday. I will then take a brief break to enjoy the aforementioned trip to Vegas before getting a CT scan on January 28. Given the amount of radiation I'll be exposed to over the next while, I can likely forego any Christmas light display this year - I'll soon be able to illuminate the neighbourhood enough on my own!
Tentative start date for the drug trial is the week of February 7. My first visit will be an eight-hour ordeal during which I'll have several blood tests at regular intervals. After that, I'll be able to take the meds at home - they are oral medications. For the first month, I will have to report back to the Cancer Agency at least once per week for regular monitoring. In subsequent months, it will be every two weeks. There will, however, be another eight-hour session like the initial one some time around week nine (I think) of the trial program.
I'm prepared for the possibility of the usual side effects - fatigue, nausea, diarrhea - but will have to get accustomed to the likelihood of adding night blindness to the mix. Then again, I've never enjoyed driving after dark.
I will have to stay close to the Cancer Agency for the six month trial period, so my earlier plans to travel will be put on hold for the time being - aside from the Vegas trip which fits in nicely between the pre-trial tests. On the up side, I'll be able to get the garden in decent shape after a rather neglectful 2010. Heck, I might even approach a UFO (unfinished object) or two. (Yes, Penny, I know a blanket has been sitting on my loom for 3+ years now.) Hope to also use the opportunity to tick some more things off ye ol' bucket list - like an intro fencing class.
The pre-trial testing has already begun. I had a chest x-ray and first round of blood tests on Wed when I was at the Cancer Agency meeting with the oncologist. I have a MUGA scan scheduled for Monday, and a bone scan on Wednesday. I will then take a brief break to enjoy the aforementioned trip to Vegas before getting a CT scan on January 28. Given the amount of radiation I'll be exposed to over the next while, I can likely forego any Christmas light display this year - I'll soon be able to illuminate the neighbourhood enough on my own!
Tentative start date for the drug trial is the week of February 7. My first visit will be an eight-hour ordeal during which I'll have several blood tests at regular intervals. After that, I'll be able to take the meds at home - they are oral medications. For the first month, I will have to report back to the Cancer Agency at least once per week for regular monitoring. In subsequent months, it will be every two weeks. There will, however, be another eight-hour session like the initial one some time around week nine (I think) of the trial program.
I'm prepared for the possibility of the usual side effects - fatigue, nausea, diarrhea - but will have to get accustomed to the likelihood of adding night blindness to the mix. Then again, I've never enjoyed driving after dark.
I will have to stay close to the Cancer Agency for the six month trial period, so my earlier plans to travel will be put on hold for the time being - aside from the Vegas trip which fits in nicely between the pre-trial tests. On the up side, I'll be able to get the garden in decent shape after a rather neglectful 2010. Heck, I might even approach a UFO (unfinished object) or two. (Yes, Penny, I know a blanket has been sitting on my loom for 3+ years now.) Hope to also use the opportunity to tick some more things off ye ol' bucket list - like an intro fencing class.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Lost Wages
Penny and I just booked a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas in a couple of weeks. At long last I can strike seeing a performance of Cirque du Soleil's "O" off the old bucket list. Glad to hear our hotel has a pool so we can continue enjoying the water-based theme of the trip.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
I'm WHAT?!
Today was "mole inspection day". Must say I was a tad worried about what the dermatologist might find given the reaction of the surgeon who was to have removed two "suspicious" moles back in late November. Turns out, I travelled to North Vancouver on something akin to a fool's errand. The dermatologist checked me very thoroughly, from head to toe - literally, and said there was only one mole (on my right breast) that should be monitored for any change. Everything else, including the spots that had concerned the surgeon and my GP, turn out to be little more than evidence that I am over the age of 30. Yup, I gots me a fine and varied crop of seborrheic keratoses, freckles, and skin tags as well as a few other technical-sounding oddities. Nothing really remarkable or bad in the dermatologist's opinion, just signs of an aging body. Imagine. Me. Old. Who'd a thunkit? Must say I am very relieved to not have a pound of flesh peeled from my back. Not the weight-loss route I want to be taking in any case.
Monday, January 3, 2011
A Good Start
As Momzy would say, it looks like 2011 is off to an auspicious start. Yesterday I joined Phil, Ellen, Jon, and Penny on a hike in to the Skookumchuk Rapids. At first it seemed like a foolish idea given my state of health, but I was determined to give it a go. I brought along a book and a thermos of hot chocolate in case I had to return to the car ahead of the rest, but all that extra preparation turned out to be quite unnecessary. I set my own pace and managed just fine. Didn't reach for my inhaler once! Even so, it was very nice of Jon to drive me back o'er the last quarter mile or so. Here's the happy crew during our picnic break overlooking the rapids.
Looks like the dogs were more interested in lunch than a photo op! And they didn't care about the sea lions frolicking in the water or the eagles flying overhead. In fact, the silly pups slept through one of the most thrilling moments of the day when a young eagle swooped down on Penny's car en route up to the rapids - the raptor was so focused on a still-warm roadkill lunch that it nearly flew into our windshield! A stop at the Fibre Works Gallery/Studio near Maderia Park topped off the wonderful day. Boy, did I sleep well after all that activity.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Talkin' 'Bout a Resolution
I for one am certainly pleased to have seen the last of 2010. Especially given the last days of the year were so downright nasty. After Momzy and I battled the flu bug, all of our holiday guests decided they need to experience the same, um, liberating event. Heard several other folks here on the Coast also received a virus or two over the holidays. Hope all are feeling better now and we all enjoy a healthier 2011.
Speaking of the new year, this seems like as good a time as ever to talk about the tradition of making resolutions. I admit to having a great deal of difficulty adhering to the usual diet and exercise-type resolutions. I've never smoked, so that one doesn't really count in my case. Given my tendency to embrace more atypical aspects of life from time to time if not most of the time, I have opted to be much more realistic this year when it comes to resolving to do anything. So, here are a few of my goals for 2011:
Relive My Childhood:
Okay, not all aspects of it, but certainly the fun bits. I've lived this long in spite of a candy-based diet in my youth - if nothing else, returning to that regime will sweeten my already saccharin personality. I'll explore the limits of my body parts - how many times can I make strange noises with my armpits without stopping? Perhaps I'll actually learn to "play" Flower of Scotland with my nose. Maybe I'll try rollerskating again. And read under the covers using a flashlight. It's been ages since I've tried out a swing - maybe this is the year I gather the courage to conquer the rope swing at Hotel Lake. I'll take time to ponder the stars, catch snowflakes and raindrops on my tongue. Perhaps I'll visit the old neighbourhood or get together with childhood friends. Thanks to Wayne Wou for asking about my memories of growing up in Sapperton (research for an upcoming book) - a real catalyst for thinking about those bygone days.
Acquire a New Skill:
If I hadn't forced Momzy to endure two years of accordian recitals when I was a kid, I might venture in that direction. Since I've been there and done that - and the compulsory ballet lessons - I'll have to find something else worth my time and effort. Taxidermy, while useful in some circles, doesn't have much of a place in my life as I like most of my critters lively and happy - unless they are properly prepared portions of a meal. Perhaps I'll take up chess or dominos, or learn to write in Sanskrit. If I become at least partly fluent in Middle English, I will be better able to converse with my friend Jon. Hmmm. Crossed kayaking off my bucket list last year - thanks for Ellen's lesson on the Saint John River. Might give sailing a go in 2011.
Break a World's Record:
The Ariadne Women's Chamber Choir of Sudbury, Ont., recently took its act two kilometres underground in Vale Inco Ltd.'s Creighton Mine in Sudbury - setting the new world record for the deepest a cappella performance. Anyone who has heard my vocal abilities knows I'm not about to challenge that record any time soon, but there must be something else I can do. Since I don't like Coke, I should have little trouble surpassing John Burley's collection of 600 un-opened bottles. Staff at the Tripsdrill Amusement Park in Cleebronn, Germany, created a sock line with more than 10,000 pairs, measuring 2,324.08 metres (a world record for the longest sock washing line) - I don't knit fast enough to make that many pairs of socks in my lifetime let alone have time to hang them on a line! Pendleton Weaving Mills unveiled a 453-foot jacquard blanket, the longest seamless blanket on record - I don't weave fast enough to challenge that record (Penny will tell you I've had the same blanket warp on my loom for the past 3 years!). For the record, I'm very willing to be part of group challenges such as the longest human shoulder massage chain (currently 710 participants), largest group of hokey pokey dancers (500), longest conga line of people wearing wellies (208)... Will have to think a bit more re this one. Maybe the largest ball of tin foil or rubber bands needs a new challenger.
Or perhaps I'll leave the concept of New Year's resolutions to the experts.
Jay Leno
Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average… which means, you have met your New Year's resolution.
James Agate
New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.
Leonard Bernstein
From New Year's on the outlook brightens; good humor lost in a mood of failure returns. I resolve to stop complaining.
Mark Twain
New Year's Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.
Speaking of the new year, this seems like as good a time as ever to talk about the tradition of making resolutions. I admit to having a great deal of difficulty adhering to the usual diet and exercise-type resolutions. I've never smoked, so that one doesn't really count in my case. Given my tendency to embrace more atypical aspects of life from time to time if not most of the time, I have opted to be much more realistic this year when it comes to resolving to do anything. So, here are a few of my goals for 2011:
Relive My Childhood:
Okay, not all aspects of it, but certainly the fun bits. I've lived this long in spite of a candy-based diet in my youth - if nothing else, returning to that regime will sweeten my already saccharin personality. I'll explore the limits of my body parts - how many times can I make strange noises with my armpits without stopping? Perhaps I'll actually learn to "play" Flower of Scotland with my nose. Maybe I'll try rollerskating again. And read under the covers using a flashlight. It's been ages since I've tried out a swing - maybe this is the year I gather the courage to conquer the rope swing at Hotel Lake. I'll take time to ponder the stars, catch snowflakes and raindrops on my tongue. Perhaps I'll visit the old neighbourhood or get together with childhood friends. Thanks to Wayne Wou for asking about my memories of growing up in Sapperton (research for an upcoming book) - a real catalyst for thinking about those bygone days.
Acquire a New Skill:
If I hadn't forced Momzy to endure two years of accordian recitals when I was a kid, I might venture in that direction. Since I've been there and done that - and the compulsory ballet lessons - I'll have to find something else worth my time and effort. Taxidermy, while useful in some circles, doesn't have much of a place in my life as I like most of my critters lively and happy - unless they are properly prepared portions of a meal. Perhaps I'll take up chess or dominos, or learn to write in Sanskrit. If I become at least partly fluent in Middle English, I will be better able to converse with my friend Jon. Hmmm. Crossed kayaking off my bucket list last year - thanks for Ellen's lesson on the Saint John River. Might give sailing a go in 2011.
Break a World's Record:
The Ariadne Women's Chamber Choir of Sudbury, Ont., recently took its act two kilometres underground in Vale Inco Ltd.'s Creighton Mine in Sudbury - setting the new world record for the deepest a cappella performance. Anyone who has heard my vocal abilities knows I'm not about to challenge that record any time soon, but there must be something else I can do. Since I don't like Coke, I should have little trouble surpassing John Burley's collection of 600 un-opened bottles. Staff at the Tripsdrill Amusement Park in Cleebronn, Germany, created a sock line with more than 10,000 pairs, measuring 2,324.08 metres (a world record for the longest sock washing line) - I don't knit fast enough to make that many pairs of socks in my lifetime let alone have time to hang them on a line! Pendleton Weaving Mills unveiled a 453-foot jacquard blanket, the longest seamless blanket on record - I don't weave fast enough to challenge that record (Penny will tell you I've had the same blanket warp on my loom for the past 3 years!). For the record, I'm very willing to be part of group challenges such as the longest human shoulder massage chain (currently 710 participants), largest group of hokey pokey dancers (500), longest conga line of people wearing wellies (208)... Will have to think a bit more re this one. Maybe the largest ball of tin foil or rubber bands needs a new challenger.
Or perhaps I'll leave the concept of New Year's resolutions to the experts.
Jay Leno
Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average… which means, you have met your New Year's resolution.
James Agate
New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.
Leonard Bernstein
From New Year's on the outlook brightens; good humor lost in a mood of failure returns. I resolve to stop complaining.
Mark Twain
New Year's Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.
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