Treatment Update
It has been a while since I updated this blog. Here is a summary of my health update. Tivozanib was a good drug for me. It kept me stable for a few months, but sadly, my cancer eventually grew. My oncologist recommended I start two drugs together, Everolimus and Lenvima. He warned me that the side effects would be more severe than Tivozanib. I took a break from treatment for a couple of months So that I could take a trip to see my sister’s family in Utah without dealing with symptoms. It was a wonderful trip! My two brothers and my mother came too and it was good to have my family together. Upon returning home, I began treatment with the new drugs. I did well for about 5 days, but then I experienced severe nausea and dehydration.
The nausea and dehydration was so severe, I ended up in the ER, and then the ICU. My brain was not working right and I was talking gibberish. After flooding me with fluid and correcting my electrolyte situation, my mind was clear again. I decided that the treatment may kill me faster than the cancer. I had been thinking for a few months before my hospitalization about stopping treatment. The hospital experience made me more certain that it is time to stop treatment. My oncologist came to the hospital to visit with me (so great that he took the time to see me in the hospital)! He agreed that it is a reasonable thing to do at this time. I have done five lines of treatment. My oncologist said I tried everything he had for me.
Transition to hospice
During the hospital visit, two different hospice companies sent representatives to visit with my husband and I. We chose one of them and decided that after some radiation treatment, I would transition to hospice. Upon returning home, I had radiation to a spot on my right scapula, and on my right femur. I had been experiencing pain there, and I did not want the tumors to progress to fracture my right leg especially. The treatment was successful, and now I just have some residual right shoulder pain. It is being managed well with pain meds.
I met with my oncologist in his office. He reviewed my labs and said everything looked good. My kidney function was back to normal. He also agreed with my decision to stop cancer treatment. It was a bittersweet moment because I would be getting a new hospice doctor. Dr. Courtney, my wonderful oncologist gave me a hug. I thanked him for giving me 4 1/2 years.
I don’t know exactly what to expect with hospice. Doctor or lab visits will not be necessary anymore. Any treatment will be to help me be as comfortable as possible. So, treatment for pain, nausea, constipation, etc. Some people may think I am quitting. I am not quitting. The cancer treatment drugs will kill me before the cancer does. I am just going to live one day at a time and enjoy my family and grandkids, knowing I have done all I can to fight this awful disease.
Traditionally hospice means the patient has an estimated 6 months or less to live. My oncologist said that that is what they will say, but that they will not kick me out if I live longer! And I do plan on living longer. I would like to live to see my daughter get her LPC license in counselling. She is currently working on getting 3000 hours of counselling done under supervision. I am so proud of her. It will take her a year to finish. I want to be here. God willing, I will. It is all God’s plan now. Everyday is a gift from Him.