Another treatment plan is in my future

I had an appointment this past Thursday for the usual blood work and chemo, or so I thought.  I knew going into this appointment that my finger infections were starting to get worse.  Both Vic and I figured we would have to switch my chemo infusion to another drug, no problem, that was in the plan if my fingers started to get bad.  So, when we were sat down and told that based on the numbers and the finger infection we would have to change up my treatment plan completely, we were a little surprised. Actually, we were a lot surprised.  Things had seemed to going pretty well and to plan.  We knew the Erbitux chemo was a bridge treatment and based on how my fingers felt and looked I knew last week was going to be my last Erbitux treatment.  Why then would everything have to be changed?  Then came the numbers news.  My tumor marker went up nearly 200 points.  My current cancer fighting plan was no longer working.  If you recall, the main reason for me not being able to receive certain chemo drugs was because they were platelet driven and my platelets were always too low.  We did solve this by having my spleen removed so the options available are much better now than before.  Based on that information the Oncologist selected two new chemo drugs.  These drugs are new to my system but are some of the first chemo drugs used.  One was approved in 1957 and the other in 1996.  Oldies but goodies I guess.  The infusions are going to be every two weeks starting this Monday.  One of the drugs requires I wear a pump for two days after the Monday infusion.  So, I get infused on Mondays and I get the pump removed on Wednesdays.  These particular drugs in combination are supposed to be very potent.  As the doctor said "you know you are on chemo" because the fatigue, nausea and aches are at a pretty high level after the infusions.  He also said these side effects should get better as we move away from the treatment date.  Oh yeah, chances are I will be losing my hair this time.  Based on the other side effects I have dealt with so far, the hair thing is all good.  One more thing I was told during our meeting was that I have a urinary tract infection.  I guess the pain generated from the tumors growing was masking the pain from the UTI so I really didn't notice it.  Well, I'm on antibiotics for that and it should clear up in a week.
This is a lot of info to write about without going on forever.  Please feel free to ask questions or make comments.  I know everyone wants to ask a question or make a comment that is positive and not say anything that could have a negative spin to it.  Face the facts everyone, at this stage of my battle the negatives are far out weighing the positive, that is just the way it is.  ASK whatever you want and allow me to give you an insight that only I can give.  There is a lot of new stuff on the horizon so KEEP PRAYING.

Treatment update

I was able to get treatment yesterday and all went well.  The doctor did not order a tumor marker for this week so I have nothing to report in that area.  The other numbers such as liver function, red and white blood cells, platelets etc. were all in an "ok" range.  I also had a visit from the newest member of my medical team, my Palliative care nurse.  I can't recall if I mentioned her and her function in past posts.  If I did, I apologize for the repetition, if not this is what she does.  She is responsible for making certain I am comfortable during the final stages of my illness.  She monitors my pain, sleep, fatigue and more.  It is up to her to act as a liaison between the doctor and myself regarding pain meds and future treatment.  Our discussion yesterday went very well due to the fact I am actually feeling better than I have felt in about 5 weeks.  I hope to have a lot more meetings like that with her in the future.  I will be meeting with the doctor next week for a review, so I will have more info.
I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend.  As you are enjoying your picnic, garden planting, going to parades or whatever you are going to do this weekend, pause for a second and give God thanks for the things you have in life.  Be honest, you've all been looking forward to a break from work, so enjoy this long weekend.  Make it count and spend quality time doing something you want to do and enjoy it.  Have fun and keep praying.

Comments

Thanks for the comments.  Regarding the pending publication of my cookbook.  I don't have enough recipes to make a book.  I do promise to write down the family favorites.  I actually have to make each dish in order to get close to measurements of ingredients.  Remember, the reason I don't bake is because you have to measure everything.  When I cook I wing it based on sight, sound and taste. I'll get a supply of note cards and do my best.

FYI-  I have treatment and blood work scheduled for Thursday.  I will keep you informed on the numbers.
Keep Praying!

I want to open this blog for a Q&A

Ever since I was diagnosed, I have been asked a lot of different questions regarding my battle.  I have noticed that it seemed much easier for people to talk to me at the beginning of the journey.  I believe this was due the fact that the majority of the information and results I was getting was mostly positive.  It was fun and exciting to talk about my treatments and how they were making my tumors "go away".  But it is true when they say, "all good things must come to an end" especially when it comes to terminal cancer.  As I went back and read my posts from the past 8 weeks I noticed a big shift in my attitude as the news regarding my progress got worse.  I also noticed the comments and questions I received were becoming few and far between.  I want you all to know that I want to continue to interact with you, especially during the final stages.  I want you to ask questions about whatever you want to know.  Hopefully my answers will somehow help you down the road.  My main goal is to make certain that what I am going through will in some way positively affect someone else's life.  Please use the comment section on the blog with your g-mail account or send a message to chuckkatula@hotmail.com and I will answer on the blog.  I look forward to hearing from you.  Keep Praying!

33 wonderful years

I want to take the time to wish my lovely bride a Happy 33rd Anniversary.  Vic, thanks for everything you do.  I love you!

Increase treatment

I met with the oncologist yesterday in order  to review my numbers and tweak my treatment plan.  As I stated in my last post I believe the hardest parts of my latest surgeries are behind me.  I was told that the complete healing process would be more like 4-5 months.  I will still have to put up with some pain from scar tissue and general fatigue.  I think I can handle that.  The doctor also told Vic and I that the node they found in my bladder was colon cancer.  This was bad news that the cancer has spread to my bladder but, it was good news that it was colon cancer and not a new strain that would have to be treated differently.  My liver and kidney function numbers are on the high side of normal but ok for me.  What's kind of funny is my platelet count is actually on the high side.  This is good news for our decision to add Xeloda back into the mix.  The Xeloda is a pill form of chemo that I will take twice a day for 2 weeks and then take one week off.  I was on the Xeloda for quite a while until my platelet count was not sufficient to support it.  So, as of now I am taking a weekly infusion and daily oral chemo.    The last thing we looked at was my tumor marker.  Unfortunately it went up 17 points.  My doctor told me he was no longer going to chase the marker number.  Instead he is going to make certain that I, as his patient, is comfortable.  This actually made me feel good.  I have always said that I will trust in the Lord for my outcome and I feel this is the right decision based on God's guidance for my medical team. I will have another appointment next week and we will see how the new treatment is working.  Keep praying.

Quick update

This week of re-coup from the surgery has gone well.  I was able to have treatment on Thursday and my numbers looked good.  All my liver and kidney function numbers were in the normal range.  The good news was that my tumor marker went down.  Now, it only went down by 8 points but it didn't go up.  I meet with the doctor for a surgery follow up on Monday.  If the healing process is going as planned we should be able to increase my chemo regimen by adding Xeloda back into the mix along with the Erbitux.  I'm pretty excited because I think I'm close to only having to worry about cancer treatment and nothing else.  I'll let you know.  Keep praying!