But the closest thing possible. I've just well enough to stay home and not be admitted to the hospital, where of course I could pick up all sorts of bugs no matter how clean everything they keep it.
So I continue to honk, cough, and blow incredible amounts of snot out of my nose. I'm on the second antibiotic, this one especially for pneumonia, and I do feel some better already.
Thank God for A, H, and R, who have been walking the dogs while Rik was away. I am taking two of them out for lunch now and the third has a tbd date. And thanks to all those who gave me rides, brought food, and came to visit during these past few weeks of chemo recovery and what turned out to be not quite pneumonia. You know who you are and I bow at your feet. And will always, as science fiction author Robert A Heinlein originally taught us, pay it forward.
Onward to lunch - or in my case, brunch. And COFFEE!
Showing posts with label pneumonia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pneumonia. Show all posts
Jul 3, 2017
Jun 26, 2017
Yes it is pneumonia
Nothing more to add except that the antibiotics seem to be working. I've stopped coughing and blowing my nose. I just have very little energy. If I do one medical appointment it takes me a day to recover.
Other than that life is peachy, if you like sitting around in your pajamas all day long recovering from the previous day's strenous three hour activity (including showering, eating and being a passenger In a car).
Snarky, but just a little.
Jun 6, 2017
Almost better
I felt so well today that I actually got out of bed at a reasonable 10 AM, showered, ate and dressed, and sat on the deck reading. I didn't take a nap, although I thought about it. I even went on a walk around the corner with Rik and the dogs. That 's the biggest sign of improvement from pneumonia.
On the cancer front, I am losing two fingernails for the first time in almost 16 years of cancer. There are healthy nails growing underneath, so I am not too worried. I get my strong nails from my mother. (Dad gave me the thin hair and the long legs.)
No more news for now.
On the cancer front, I am losing two fingernails for the first time in almost 16 years of cancer. There are healthy nails growing underneath, so I am not too worried. I get my strong nails from my mother. (Dad gave me the thin hair and the long legs.)
No more news for now.
May 22, 2017
The latest treatment idea
I saw Dr G yesterday and we discussed a number of things.
My pneumonia is resolving. Yay! Evidently the pneumonia vaccine I received in 2013 didn't cover this strain, but it's too soon for me to receive another vaccine.
He had my tumor tested for the androgen receptor and the result came back positive. He'll contact Dr Julie Gralow, a local, renowned breast cancer expert, to review the result with her, and if she approves, I'll start bicalutamide (Casodex). Although this drug is usually given to men with prostate cancer, it might be effective for me.
Dr G also had my tumor tested for micro satellite instability. The results showed the tumor is stable, which you would think would be the "right" response. But this means the newest therapies might not work for me and I would not be eligible for such clinical trials. It might be worthwhile to re-test my tumor for ER/PR status. If it's changed to triple negative, which isn't too likely in my opinion, it might change my eligibility for said trials.
If Dr Gralow does not recommend bicalutamide, I will start Taxol in a little over two weeks (or, as Dr G puts it, after Tisha b'Av). I wouldn't say he's exactly superstitious, but it makes a certain kind of sense not to start new chemo during the lead up to a major Jewish fast day.
My pneumonia is resolving. Yay! Evidently the pneumonia vaccine I received in 2013 didn't cover this strain, but it's too soon for me to receive another vaccine.
He had my tumor tested for the androgen receptor and the result came back positive. He'll contact Dr Julie Gralow, a local, renowned breast cancer expert, to review the result with her, and if she approves, I'll start bicalutamide (Casodex). Although this drug is usually given to men with prostate cancer, it might be effective for me.
Dr G also had my tumor tested for micro satellite instability. The results showed the tumor is stable, which you would think would be the "right" response. But this means the newest therapies might not work for me and I would not be eligible for such clinical trials. It might be worthwhile to re-test my tumor for ER/PR status. If it's changed to triple negative, which isn't too likely in my opinion, it might change my eligibility for said trials.
If Dr Gralow does not recommend bicalutamide, I will start Taxol in a little over two weeks (or, as Dr G puts it, after Tisha b'Av). I wouldn't say he's exactly superstitious, but it makes a certain kind of sense not to start new chemo during the lead up to a major Jewish fast day.
Apr 10, 2017
Update from Dr G
Rik and I saw Dr G last week. He wants to retest my lungs with another CT to make sure my pneumonia has ended. Also I think he wants to me take a blood test for pneumonia markers. We even talked about the possibility of the pneumonia vaccine to prevent another month like this.
As far as treatment goes, we have several options --
He wants to incorporate neuroprotective medicines. I'm not sure which meds he means, but the idea is to prevent further neuropathy in my feet and hands.
As far as treatment goes, we have several options --
- Pembrolizumab trial (If I qualify. Usually they want someone with fewer pre-treatments and bone-only mets.)
- Testing my tumor for micro satellite instability (this is the very newest treatment)
- Choice of chemo: Taxol (paclitaxel, which I had one time, a few years ago), Ixempra (ixabepilone), or Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide, which I had during my original early stage cancer 16 years ago)
He wants to incorporate neuroprotective medicines. I'm not sure which meds he means, but the idea is to prevent further neuropathy in my feet and hands.