The first three days of Ibrance were full of mild nausea, moderate fatigue, and general ill-feeling. Thankfully by the Monday I felt like myself again. The fatigue has continued, but who doesn't appreciate an afternoon nap? The first two weeks were basically fine.
Today, the beginning of week three, started with more fatigue (i.e., I didn't get out of bed until after 1 PM), and then moved on to diarrhea. So I am still in my pajamas, even though it's lovely outside and I had planned to run errands and do some garden work. Thankfully Dr G gave me great meds to address the diarrhea.
I'll take the Ibrance for one more week (21 days total), then get a week off. Dr G wants me to have labs taken again in two weeks. I'll see him after Passover and hopefully start another Ibrance cycle if my white, red and platelet counts stay high enough.
So I'm taking today off and will nap again in between doing loads of laundry. And that's life on chemo!
Showing posts with label Ibrance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ibrance. Show all posts
Jan 28, 2020
Aug 8, 2017
Port healing
Today I went to the Wound Healing Center at Swedish Hospital's Cherry Hill campus. I met a new doctor, Dr Myint and nurse Sally, who are caring, compassionate medical professionals. I know this because in addition to their warm personalities and ability to listen, Dr Myint complimented me on my "dream team" (his words) of other doctors. He knows them all: Dr Klein, my primary care doc; Dr G, my oncologist; and Dr Antezana, my dermatologist. He even knows Dr Flugstad, my orthopedist. I told Dr Myint and Sally they were now in excellent company as part of my team.
Sally removed the dressing that was applied last Friday and cleaned up the site. Both of them examined it and Sally took photos. Sally then measured the wound's depth while Dr M effectively distracted me in conversation. They tell me the wound appears to be healing nicely. Sally applied another dressing and I am scheduled to return for a dressing change again next week.
While they were all in the room with me (including a student nurse), I asked them to take a look at my scalp metastasis. This is the one which appeared to double in size during my first round of Ibrance, which Dr A biopsied and I have kept covered with his antibiotic gook. It got nicely pink in the last two weeks and appeared to be healing, but since the start of Ibrance round two, it's been oozing blood. Dr M of course recommended I talk with Dr G about it. He also opined that perhaps the oral antibiotics I've been taking may have had some positive effect. Sally then prepared a small dressing with medical-grade Manuka honey(!). What they use at the Swedish Wound Healing Center comes from New Zealand and is prepared in sterile environments. Although one can purchase Manuka honey for use in the home, as with any treatment, I believe in the involvement of your physician.
On my way out I stopped at the Ambulatory Infusion Center, where I received treatment for several years at the beginning of this dance with cancer. One of my favorite nurses was there and she did a significant double-take when she saw me. We hugged and decided to have a bigger personal reunion soon. It was so lovely to see her!
I have honey on my head, antibiotics in my system, a chance to reconnect with a friend and a port removal area packed with stuff. All appears well with my world!
Sally removed the dressing that was applied last Friday and cleaned up the site. Both of them examined it and Sally took photos. Sally then measured the wound's depth while Dr M effectively distracted me in conversation. They tell me the wound appears to be healing nicely. Sally applied another dressing and I am scheduled to return for a dressing change again next week.
While they were all in the room with me (including a student nurse), I asked them to take a look at my scalp metastasis. This is the one which appeared to double in size during my first round of Ibrance, which Dr A biopsied and I have kept covered with his antibiotic gook. It got nicely pink in the last two weeks and appeared to be healing, but since the start of Ibrance round two, it's been oozing blood. Dr M of course recommended I talk with Dr G about it. He also opined that perhaps the oral antibiotics I've been taking may have had some positive effect. Sally then prepared a small dressing with medical-grade Manuka honey(!). What they use at the Swedish Wound Healing Center comes from New Zealand and is prepared in sterile environments. Although one can purchase Manuka honey for use in the home, as with any treatment, I believe in the involvement of your physician.
On my way out I stopped at the Ambulatory Infusion Center, where I received treatment for several years at the beginning of this dance with cancer. One of my favorite nurses was there and she did a significant double-take when she saw me. We hugged and decided to have a bigger personal reunion soon. It was so lovely to see her!
I have honey on my head, antibiotics in my system, a chance to reconnect with a friend and a port removal area packed with stuff. All appears well with my world!
Aug 7, 2017
Scan results
The results of my scans from earlier this week are a mixed bag. The CT of my chest, abdomen and pelvis shows stable disease throughout. The brain MRI shows some progression and four tiny, new mets. I have only taken Ibrance for one cycle (one month).
Dr G decided it would be best to leave Ibrance and get me back onto a taxane. My cancer seems to respond the best to this type of chemo. I've had four separate experiences with Abraxane! He has prescribed Taxotere (docetaxel), related to Abraxane and also a derivative of the Pacific Northwest yew tree. It has similar side effects as Abraxane but is given once every 21 days.
How will I receive this infusion, you ask, if my port has been removed? On Monday the chemo nurses will insert a PICC line:
Dr G decided it would be best to leave Ibrance and get me back onto a taxane. My cancer seems to respond the best to this type of chemo. I've had four separate experiences with Abraxane! He has prescribed Taxotere (docetaxel), related to Abraxane and also a derivative of the Pacific Northwest yew tree. It has similar side effects as Abraxane but is given once every 21 days.
How will I receive this infusion, you ask, if my port has been removed? On Monday the chemo nurses will insert a PICC line:
A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC or PIC line) is a form of intravenous access that can be used for a prolonged period of time (e.g. for long chemotherapy regimens, extended antibiotic therapy, or total parenteral nutrition).
After treatment they can remove the PICC line while my port site heals up and gets ready for a new port-a-cath. If it's not fully healed in three weeks, I can always have a new PICC line started.
Now onto a chemo-free weekend!