New And Old Drugs

New drugs + old drugs = super awesome fun time!

New drugs = Avastin
This one requires a blood test prior to starting. And a pee test.
This one requires a visit to the infusion center. Most people there seem sicker than me.
This one requires waiting…and waiting…and waiting for my drug to arrive.
This one requires multiple needle sticks – unless I get a good nurse. I REFUSE to get a port until they give me no options.
This drug, so far, has had no ill effects.

I heard some horror stories with Avastin. People getting more sick (or is it sicker?) People having bad allergic reactions. People growing extra limbs. OK, not that last one.

I’ve only had 2 infusion treatments. I have one next week with an MRI the day after. We’ll see how it all goes. Platelets stay strong!

Old drugs = Temodar
This one I’ve done before – hence the ‘old drugs’
My memories are a little foggy, so it’s hard to remember what happened after radiation was done…cuz that made me feel like I’d been hit by a truck.
I know it makes me feel nauseous and tired – especially by day 3 to day 7 (yes, two days post treatment)
I did treatment on vacation last time and I did it on vacation this time. Hurrah!
Zofran is lovely. A little anti-nauseau medication is good. Very, very good.

I responded well to this old one before, so we’re hoping that it happens again.

So, there’s my update on new and old drugs. Unfortunately, they are likely the last options I’ve got available. So fingers crossed that they give me a few more good years.

Essentially, one doctor told me I was preparing for the end. My other doctor told me I had a good fight ahead of me. I’ll believe my second doctor, thank you very much. New drugs, old drugs…whatever he suggests, I’ll do it. It worked beyond expectations last time, maybe it’ll work again. Maybe there will be new trials and drugs that become available during my lifetime. You never know!

 

 

The Irony

There are lots of things in this crazy world that are ironic. Just ask Alanis Marmoset (I know it’s Morissette, Marmoset is just more fun to say.) Rain on your wedding day and all that.

The irony in some of the treatments for a myriad of conditions are ridiculous. I guess that’s likely true for most medical treatments of one kind or another. Just listen to the legal warnings at the end of each commercial for the latest drug. Antidepressants that may cause thoughts of suicide. Erectile dysfunction drugs that may cause erections that won’t go away (yes, I said erection.) Blood pressure medicine that may increase your blood pressure or cause a heart attack. Any number of biologics carry multiple risks, but risks that so many are willing to take to manage an illness or relieve their pain.

With cancer, most of us willingly accept and take those risks and more – chemotherapy, radiation, experimental drugs.

Chemotherapy kills cells, attacking the cancer, but also attacks healthy cells. It makes you feel like hell. Perhaps because of this effect, it carries the risk of serious infection and potential development of unrelated cancers. Irony.

Radiation treatment specifically for brain tumors – targeted or more broadly focused – carries the risk of brain swelling, brain damage, OR brain tumors. Irony.

Anti-seizure medication or combinations of medicines carry the risk of triggering seizures. Irony

Some drugs – like antibiotics, meant to rid your body of potentially deadly bacteria, can reduce seizure thresholds and trigger a seizure. With a history of status epilepticus, it might kill you. Irony.

Experimental drugs carry a series of risks and depending on the phase of the trial, some of those risks are unknown – hence, why they’re in trial. These drugs can trigger new illnesses, potential fatal reaction or extend the impact of the disease you’re trying to fight. Irony.

Most of us are willing to take the risk, but the irony is not lost on us. While we battle a disease that is trying to kill us, we risk possible death and do so willingly. Ironic indeed.

The trick is knowing what to ask your doctors about the risks when you’re prescribed medicines or begin a new treatment, take the time to consult with your pharmacist any time you start a new medication, and read those long lists of potential side effects for the medications you’re taking to understand any risks and contraindications. Essentially, be informed and don’t assume that what you’re prescribed is safe – especially if you have multiple doctors – as we all seem to in the world of cancer. Carry around a list of your medications – with doses – so you can make sure you don’t forget any of them when you are discussing new treatments. Don’t become a cautionary tale and get added to the next Alanis Marmoset song about the many ironies in life.

 

As an aside – there are thousands of plants in the Amazon jungles alone that can be used to treat a wide range of illness and disease – including cancers – but in the name of ‘progress’, those forests and all they offer the world are being destroyed at incredible rates. Not only are we destroying the homes of the indigenous people, we’re destroying potential sources of a cure. Irony or ignorance?

 

 

2 Year Anniversary

Well, I did it. I beat the average survival statistic for a patient with a Glioblastoma Multiforme – the deadliest of all the brain tumors. I have brain cancer thanks to the mysterious golf ball size of aggressive malignant cells that grew in my brain. It’s been 2 years since that beast was removed by my brilliant neurosurgeon.

In those 2 years, I’ve gone through chemo and radiation treatments (which ironically has a risk of creating brain tumors) and began a clinical trial intended to train my body to fight the cancer. I’ve had 2 seizures (not counting the first) that have landed me in a hospital bed – the second one being life threatening. I spent months without driving privileges and still managed to get my kids to school and go to the grocery store thanks to my mom and my kind neighbors. My mom’s love and caring have provided my family with a consistent ‘normal’ life and have allowed me to focus on healing and fighting. I have grown even more fond of my neighbors and our spontaneous driveway parties and planned outdoor movie nights. I’ve napped, a lot. I went to New York with my husband. I’ve witnessed his courage, strength and love each and every day. I went to New York, London, and Paris with my family. I’ve read numerous books – most of them good. I met Diana Gabaldon and got her autograph. I lived through a kitchen remodel (not recommended while going through treatment.) I adopted a dog who is both sweet and crazy needy. I’ve watched my children continue to grow and thrive. My son’s guitar skills, love of soccer, creativity, ingenuity and love for some adventure amaze me every day. My daughter’s kindness, persistence at resolving social conflicts, strength in the face of adversity (like soccer ball kicks to her face), her natural skills in caring for young children, and her love of books and learning make my heart swell with pride. I have so many more things to be grateful for as I’ve attempted to live every day left in my life with joy and appreciation for the moments I’ve been blessed to experience in my uncertain future.

But the fight continues on. I’m fighting to still be here to celebrate my 4 year anniversary and my 6 year anniversary and so on…

Thank you all for the love, support, prayers and healing energy you’ve been sending my way over the last 2 years. They’ve gotten me to this point. I’d appreciate the continuing support to get to another anniversary.

As we continue the debate began by Brittany Maynard’s decision to move to a state that supports ‘die with dignity’ laws, let’s not forget the thousands of other people fighting this horrible disease and other types of brain tumors. We should also be discussing what can be done to develop new treatments and search for a cure so we don’t have to think or make decisions about how to relieve our own suffering in our last moments of life. Many of us with GBM’s have survived for extended periods of time, even if we received grim and specific prediction of the time we’ve got left. Fight on and see what miracles arrive and do your part to help others live longer in the future.

If you feel compelled to help focus on the brain tumor element of this story (not saying the national dialogue around ‘die with dignity’ is unworthy or less important), make a donation to the National Brain Tumor Association or any other organization of your choice that helps support research for treatments and cures, support for families and patients, and raise awareness of the other side of Brittany’s story.