Onto the next big thing…

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
James 1:2

This timely sentence popped up on my Facebook feed this morning. I so appreciate your support, especially through this most recent stretch of medical appointments, so wanted to share the news from last week.

On Tuesday, we saw my oncologist to get the results of my CT scan. Basically, all of the tumors have grown, so this chemo apparently isn’t working. Bummer for that, and also because my quality of life was so much better on this chemo than on anything else I’ve done!

I need to add that, before this most recent chemo (Erbitux), I was doing FOLFIRI and I recognize that I was super lucky with that. For most people, FOLFIRI tends to work for months, but I, somehow, got SEVEN YEARS out of it. I remain grateful for that. I guess I expected the same for this new one.

Thankfully, I have a few other chemo options, and we are looking into immunotherapy options as well.

So no chemo this week. The anxiety is enough – ha ha. We will use the time to make a decision and then move forward with the chosen chemo after that.

The other good news is that I was able to attend our son’s fourth grade school play. Before the play started, I talked with a mom who was sitting nearby. Making conversation, I asked if she worked in the city. AND, not only does she work in the city, but she heads a research lab for immunotherapy drug development and trials, at the hospital affiliated with Dana Farber! Wow. On top of all that, the play itself was actually enjoyable and fun, and he did a great job.

(Next part is a little explicit – skip the rest if you are easily queasy.)

This weekend is a little challenging so far, as I am having trouble, again, urinating. I thought that the stents would fix this, but there is a tumor in my bladder which can throw off blood clots, and that can…block the path out. I’m drinking water to try and increase the pressure and push that blockage out of the way – I want to avoid another visit to the ER. Again, it is the simple things! Next time you run to the bathroom and feel like it is a bother, recognize that it is a good thing!

Not sure that I would say that my current trials are pure joy, but I will try to see them that way. Thanks again for all your prayers and support. I’m tired, so will wrap up here.

Love and blessings,
Marie