I will continue getting IV drips of Zometa every three months. That's OK. I'll also have to go in monthly and get my port flushed. My veins are pretty well gone after all this.
Some people are often afraid to stop chemo. I'm ready. I know that it can come back after stopping, in fact I've had several friends have to handle that. The good thing is that there are more treatment availble for people who have had breast cancer and failed on other chemo treatments. I am constantly amazed at how much more is out there than there was 14 years. ago.
I'm also amazed at how the anti-nausea drugs have chnged. CAF (Cytoxin/Adriamycin/Flourilacil or 5Fu) was hard for me. The woman I sat next to two months ago was amazed that I had had a hard time with it in 1994....they have changed the nausea drugs and how they administer it so it is much easier now.
I'm looking forward to having my eyesight come back, then my sense of taste, and NOT having my tongue dry out at night. I'm also looking forward to hopefully getting feeling back in my hands and feet. It has been a bummer not being able to drive where I want when I want and not being able to read much.
I am less happy that the progress of developing new drugs is based often politics and money. Drug companies don't put the effort into getting drugs certified if they are not going to make a lot of money on it. People who have rare cancers often have to wait until someone either does an end run (not very common, but it has been done) or it becomes expedient. Not what I like to think about. I don't know what the answer to this problem is....I just want this scourge to stop...whether it is breast, pancreatic, ovarian, lung or whatever cancer.
Posts
Wow, so very well said!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing this go of chemo!
I have recently stopped and I have been so concerned over every little ache and pain, tingle, etc.
You have just helped me a lot by your post. Thank you.
You give me so much hope.
Take care keep fighting!!
hi, i'm really glad to see your post, the last one you sounded so down and out i was worried.
ReplyDeletei only you from quiltart list but having been diagnosed with stge 4 lung last fall, i find it insporing that sometimes stage 4 can be held in check.
i finished my chemo in april and was really looking forward to all those thing, and i got most of them, unfortunatly i also got a bone metastize(sp?) so have just finished radiation for that. my arm is gradually getting stronger and i can use it some but it realy did a number on me physilogicaly. back to pills to sleep, to poop, ect., no driving becacuse my arm wouldn't work and i was on pretty powerful pain pills. i'm down to only an occasional tylonal and hopefull will be driving next week.
hang in, keep up the fight and know that your courage helps others in the battle.
elaine
Thanks MzElle and Elaine. I'm glad my posts have helped in some little way and I can completely understand where you're coming from Elaine. Congratulations on finishing chemo to both of you and in getting back your feeling and getting off pain pills Elaine. I'm hoping that I will be able to overcome the hip pain.
ReplyDeleteSorry to scare you Elaine...note to self: don't write when you're tired! I really really really want to post at least once a week and I'd like to post more, but sometimes life and recovery get in the way!
Lisa