Treatment Update

I'm now four days out from receiving my second treatment of Datroway. As is always the case with a new treatment, my body is adjusting to a new drug, I'm figuring out side effects and how to manage them, and learning the new rhythm to each treatment cycle. For the most part, I'm feeling pretty decent so far. Last treatment, I had several days of manageable nausea and painful mouth sores, but this treatment, I haven't had much of either. Woohoo! Both times, I've had a dry, scratchy, sore throat, which is bothersome during the day but really a pain at night, when it causes lots of coughing and keeps me from sleeping. I'd appreciate prayers that I could figure out the best way to deal with this and that it won't turn into a more serious side effect, like the interstitial lung disease that's possible.

Managing/preventing the mouth sores requires quite a bit of mindfulness; it seems like I'm constantly having a reminder pop up on my phone telling me it's time to use the mouthwash or the eye drops that prevent dry eyes and inflammation of the cornea and eyelids. And every time I leave the house, I have to make sure I have both of these things with me (and remember not to leave them in the hot car!). Hopefully, it will all be second nature soon.

They were able to speed up how quickly they gave the infusion this time, which meant less time sucking on ice and drinking ice water to prevent the mouth sores, which was great! It gets really cold downing so much ice; thank God for warm blankets! I ended up with three around me by the time the infusion was finished. 

Besides the coughing, the other issue I'd most like prayer for is the unresolved blood pressure problems initially caused by my previous drug, Avastin. While I'm still on the blood pressure meds that had been managing the high blood pressure, it's still been going too high lately. But it's also dropped pretty low at other times. In fact, I got to spend most of Thursday in the ER due to its concerning fluctuation. Unfortunately, we didn't get any answers there, and I feel stuck and on my own in managing this. I would really appreciate prayers that I could get in with a primary care doctor who can help me get to the bottom of this.

Overall, I'm feeling optimistic that this drug is doable and I'll have a relatively good quality of life while on it. In fact, we took a leap of faith and booked a trip for the middle of July. Yes, this July! I wanted it to be soon, in case the treatment side effects start to add up or increase in severity. So, in less than a month, we're heading to ALASKA to marvel at God's beautiful creation and let the train take us from place to place. It feels so good to have something to look forward to, even if I'm nervous that it might all be too much for me. Life is for living, though, and I want to make the most of my time. Carpe diem!