Anita update #8
It is beginning to seem like all these updates are bad news. In my last Anita Update I described how her previous chemo regime had not worked as well as hoped, and how she was beginning yet another one with a different drug. Such a change from a year ago, when we had good news.
Well, guess what... If you are guessing "still didn't work" you are right on the money. A CAT scan just before Christmas determined that the tumor on her liver had grown to the size of an egg and she had a new spot there as well. (The doctor didn't talk about other tumors, although it is certain they exist, possibly because tumors on your liver are bad enough news all by themselves.) Some Christmas present, eh?
So the doctor discussed Anita's options, including the possibility of stopping chemo and letting things run their course. Anita, fighter that she is, opted to keep going. (Good for her!)
The next chemo regime consists of a combination of two drugs, each variations on drugs she has had before; Cisplatin (similar to Carboplatin) and Doxorubicin (same thing as Doxil, only straight up instead of being packaged in tiny lipozomes). Side effects? Well, pretty much all the same nasty things as before; only worse and all at once. (One exception is the sores on the mouth and extremities, Doxorubicin is somewhat better than Doxil in that regard.)
Today we finished the second treatment of six on this chemo regime. Anita is listless, but awake right now. She will probably be very tired and ill for at least four days. Her hair is already falling out from the first treatment. Experience says each treatment will have worse side effects as the drugs build up in her system. Plus the drugs they give her for the side effects have their own side effects, kind of like the shit spice in a rather nasty stew.
What does all of this mean? Well, for one thing Anita is going to have one really bad week our of every three for the next three months. At the end of that time she gets another CAT scan and we re-assess. For another, she isn't getting better.
We already knew that, of course. Yes, there is a chance that she will get better, but Anita has stage IV Endometrial cancer. The odds are not in her favor.
There, I've just said it; the thing I have skirted around in all these updates. The thing I have avoided even thinking about all this time. In all honesty, treatment is more about extending her life than a cure at this point. And the treatment itself is almost as bad as the disease. (Note: Anita was originally stage II when first diagnosed and given appropriate surgery. She is stage IV now because the cancer came back and invaded vital organs.)
But, as I also said above, she is a fighter. I'm so proud of her and I'm so glad she is willing to keep trying. I'm here to help her, and I hope you can be as well. To repeat something I've said before:
We are probably going to need help with my grandson and various other things again; so if you are not already an official 'AnitaHelper', and would like to be one (and live in King County), please send an email with your contact info to jackb [at sign here] sff.net and we will add you to the list. If you would like to help us with our (completely overwhelming) medical expenses, please email jackb [at sign here] sff.net indicating this and jkling will contact you (he is co-ordinating donations). If all you can offer is your good wishes/prayers/affirmation, know that they are well and truly appreciated.
(Meta: Yes, I am breaking my rule about not blogging about personal stuff. In this case I must because so many people care for Anita and want to know what is going on.)
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jackwilliambell) wrote,
