New Plan Begins December 29

An angel from my childhood

I'm going to start the new chemotherapy plan December 29. The drug is called Eribulin, and I'll be receiving it as part of a clinical trial. It's already FDA-approved for breast cancer treatment; the study is looking at whether it's effective and causes fewer side effects given more frequently at a lower dose.

I'll continue to receive Herceptin infusions (fights cancer) and Zometa infusions (helps prevent bone fractures) while I'm on the study.

I'll be receiving treatment once each week for three weeks, then I'm off for one week. Then I start the four-week cycle again. After three cycles I'll have a CT scan to check on progress.

I stay with the study for as long as it's effective against the disease. Six months is a typical length of time. Then we look at the additional treatment options.

This drug is generally well tolerated. There are the usual possible side effects (low blood counts, fatigue, nausea, numbness and tingling in hands and feet), but it might be as easy for me as the Navelbine I've been on for six months. I'll just have to see.

It does cause hair loss, so that's a big bummer. A friend and I picked out a wig a few months ago, and I'll order that in January. Mavis, being long and auburn, just isn't me anymore. I've been short and blond for almost two years and I like it, so the new Mavis will be short and blond. This wig may or may not get a name - I'm not really at a point yet where I can feel whimsical and lighthearted about this whole wig thing. I'm not sure what I'll decide to wear on my head most of the time, but it's good to have a hair option.

Thanks so much for your calls, texts, emails, cards, etc. It means a lot to me to hear from you and know you're in my corner! I hope you understand if it takes me a while to get back to you. Always know that I welcome your thoughts for good ju ju or your prayers if that's your thing.

I'm going to return to putting some requests for meals on the Lotsa Helping Hands website (see sidebar if you want a link to that). If you're already signed up to hear about requests, you'll get something in your inbox within the week.

I hope you have very Happy Holidays! I'm looking forward to Christmas and two weeks off before I start the new treatment. I will definitely need something to look forward to in January, though!

CT Scan Results

I had a CT scan yesterday, and the results are mixed.

The good: most of the tumors stayed the same or shrank since the last scan in September.

The bad: the largest rumor in my liver grew, and my oncologist believes I've seen all the benefit I'll see from this chemo regimen.

I have an appointment with her December 15, and we'll review the options and pick a new chemo. There are several standard treatments to try, and I may qualify for a clinical trial.

I know I've kept these blog posts pretty basic and factual lately. That's just the phase I'm in, I suppose. 

I also know that people wonder whether to ask me how I'm feeling and engage me in a health-related conversation. I know it's hard to know what to say to me sometimes. Please know that I don't have expectations around what people "should" say.

I assume everyone in my life is wanting the best for me, and I'm not bothered if we don't have a direct conversation about that.

Sometimes I feel like talking about  my health. and sometimes I don't. I don't expect you to read my mind about that - I'm good at steering the conversation in a direction that works for me in the moment.

So yes, I want to hear from you and/or see you! And no, we don't have to talk about my health! And yes, it's fine if you ask after my health!

I don't want you to avoid me because you don't know what to say. Avoid me for other reasons, like I annoy you or you're tired!

A sense of humor is one of my most valuable allies. Sharing it with you is both fun and healing.