Where to begin?
I began my second round of chemo treatments yesterday. I am participating in a research study for a new drug called patupilone. I had a 50/50 chance of receiving the new drug or another one called Doxil. The study is in phase III and is to determine the benefits/drawbacks of side effects for both drugs.
I was excited to learn Wednesday that I would be receiving the patupilone. Doxil has the typical chemo side effects, including nausea, vomiting, neuropathy and reddening of hands and feet. The patupilone's main side effect is diarrhea. Typically, I should begin to feel the effects within 24 hours, but more likely it will take 7-9 days after the initial infusion.
I will be traveling to St. Louis every three weeks for the infusion, and will be able travel there and back in the same day! This will do wonders for us. We are determined to keep our home life as normal as possible and this will really help.
It is important to remember that I may never be 'cured' of this cancer, but rather, it can be managed and I can have a very happy and fulfilling life in spite of it. And that is important. I am alive now and continue to thrive.
1 comment:
Maggie,
The patupilone study sounds like a great road to go down...and...with less side effects...well....that sounds really nice. I hope your body responds to it well. Over the past few months I have been using the phrase, "it is what it is" and I found it very refreshing to see it is the name of your blog. As much as I try to control my life, the universe works in it's own little way and you are so right, we can't control it, we can only learn from it, and in that learning we can change our mind, body & spirit and that is what life is. Love to you, Richie, Madeline and Charlie...Carey
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