Lots going on

We have been very busy lately!

Last week we visited Rik's parents and enjoyed some Florida sunshine at the same time. Although the temperature was in the 80s, thankfully my lymphedema arm did not swell from either the long flights or the heat.

On Sunday we re-stocked our fridge at Costco and ended up leasing a new 2013 Nissan Leaf. It was a very busy day…

On Monday I had the second cataract surgery. All went well, and I didn't ask for more Versed, so I remember many details of the surgery. Remembering doesn't seem to bother me. We went out for breakfast at Skillet Diner, which continues to not quite live up to expectations, although breakfast was better than any other meal I've eaten there. The biscuit I ordered with my eggs was enormous and fluffy.

Tuesday was a lay-low day since I was "resting" for a PET/CT scan. No exercise and I was supposed to eat a high fat, low carbohydrate diet starting 24 hours before the scan. The scan was the next day at 11 AM, so I could eat a regular breakfast. I ate some leftover chicken for lunch. After my post-op check with the opthalmologist surgeon, we went to the grocery store and bought lamb chops for dinner, with which I sautéed some greens.

What I always seem to forget about this diet is that not eating carbohydrates (no bread, potatoes, etc.) leaves me feeling hungry. I ate some peanut butter at 11 PM and then fasted until the exam was over today at 2 PM. Believe me, eating breakfast after fasting for 15 hours was delicious no matter where you go!

I get the PET/CT results next week from Dr G. He's told me not to start another round of  Xeloda until after I see him and we speak about next steps in treatment.

No new brain mets

I saw Dr G today and the result of last week's MRI is no new brain mets. Yay! Now we move on to a PET/CT scan (haven't had one in a long time) and after we get those results, we will be ready to make a decision about changing treatment.

My cancer is slowly progressing, which means changing treatment. I may stay on Xeloda and add something I've already taken, such as Afinitor, or something new. I've already refused to take Abraxane or any other taxanes again because I fear the neuropathy in my feet will increase dramatically, as it did the one time I tried Taxol.

Dr G and I read about curcumin (the active ingredient in the Indian spice turmeric) being effective in cancer treatment. So I need to choose a new naturopath and get started with this.

In the meanwhile, I will get ready for the second cataract surgery, enjoy mid-winter break with Rik off of school, and schedule all these appointments.

Brain MRI

Today I had a brain MRI. Last week when I thought I lost the diamond earrings, it made me wonder if I had new or more active brain mets. I get the results next Monday.

I saw Dr G while at Minor and James. He looked frazzled and said he had six patients waiting. The nurses all agreed it was a rough and busy day, but they took good care of me anyway.

I also saw Dr Dobie the shrink again, and we have tweaked my meds again to try to get me better sleep. I am starting 50 mg of Trazodone tonight and tomorrow night. If it works, great. If it doesn't help, I will stop taking it and call her at the end of the week.

Last night I dreamed that I was looking for my car and couldn't find it. When I woke up, I decided the dream was symbolic of worry about losing my independence. I had visited a dying friend yesterday and that experience must have stuck with me into dreamland.

Happy Bob Day

Bob turned nine tears old today ( we got him when he was four).

Happy birthday Bob!

Quick update

My "depressive funk" continues to bug me but not as much. Yesterday I started the additional 20 mg of Cymbalta and I got through the whole day without needing a nap. Of course, I couldn't fall asleep too easily either at bedtime…

I think everything was extra hard due to the end of Xeloda round 13.

More soon.