Time for a Vacation!

 

 

It's been a year and two weeks since I posted my first blog on our Unexpected Journey.  What a journey it has been so far . . . 

This week as a result of (again) perfect labs, no detectable active cancer on my marker tests, my physician's observation of my physical presentation and a calculated (by experts) belief that what now shows on my latest scan (one appearance) may well be necrotic tissue, I asked for (and have been rewarded) a two-week break from my conventional therapy treatment.  So what are we doing on our summer vacation?

Well, this morning we went hiking!  And it was glorious.  Not too tough (rolling terrain at around 6700' -- distance just a tad over four miles).  Oh the glory of lacing up hiking boots and hitting the (real) trail! 

The way ahead for now (and we discussed four options with Dr. Rixe) is to resume my current course of therapy after a two-week break (something is working 😀).  During my vacation break I am continuing the full slate of my integrative and naturopathic care.  As Dr. Rixe advised, "Don't change a thing!"  I must say, I'm a little tired of KETO world, but hey something is working, so make mine another super-high-fat green drink! 

As long as the weather holds, we are enjoying our daily pool plunges (considering ordering neoprene tops to extend the pool season) and I'm on week 18 of unbroken Peloton workouts!  

We're two weeks away from the commencement of our next home project (thank goodness for our project management experience since we're playing general contractor this time).  And we're loving cooking together, walking, reading, hangin' with the pups and daydreaming about our future adventures.  We are present.  We are joyful.  Life is good.

Quote for the Day:

The present moment is filled with joy and happiness.  If you are attentive, you will see it.

                                                                     ~Thich Nhat Hanh 

Progress Report:

• Blog will resume post-vacay (after 8 September)
  

VIA FRANCIGENA!

Too Much of a Good Thing?

Living in a place of deep appreciation and gratitude, I find it hard to have too much of any good thing these days (especially since wine and pizza are NOT on my nutrition plan 😀).

For example, I can never get too much of our beautiful Sangre de Cristo sunrises . . .

 

I find it is impossible to say "too much" to Barton's beautiful floral arrangements, which Cliff brings me every week . . .

 

I believe a girl can never have too many heroes . . .

 

 

Or too many zebras trotting by with satisfying news of quiet (healthy) progress . . .  

 

And of course, it is impossible to exclaim too much (unless in celebration) about CEA marker tests showing no disease activity (four consecutive months as of last week) . . .

 

Turns out, though, that I may have had too much of a cancer-fighting drug in my body . . . . 

My recent sensation of "skipping a heart beat," resulted in a series of EKGs, an appointment with a cardiologist, an echo cardiogram and a 24-hour session with a Holter Monitor.  I was in a bit of a quandary about whether to blog this or not.  I've always been transparent on my blog, and I know I have more followers than I personally engage (possibly other warriors), so I decided to be upfront with this news.  It seems Avastin, a drug I took through most of my first stage of treatment, has caused an unhealthy structural change in my heart.  We understood this drug was strong and carried with it some high risks.   We took all the steps asked of us (daily checking of blood pressure, keen observation for signs of heart problems . . . ) when I was on the drug between September and March.  And during that time (as usual for me), all my labs were assessed as "perfect" by my oncologist . . . but we couldn't see the stealthy damage Avastin was doing until  that "skipping a beat" thing started us down a new road.  According the drug website, 11% of cancer patients whose therapy includes Avastin experience side effects that "may include blood clots, mini-stroke, heart attack, chest pain, and (a) heart (that) may become too weak to pump blood to other parts of (the) body (congestive heart failure)."  

If you or a loved one may be introduced to a treatment protocol that includes Avastin, I urge you carefully to review the literature on the drug's benefits and risks.  In 2010, the FDA ruled that Avastin no longer is approved for advanced breast cancer because the risks were assessed to be greater than the benefits.  Despite the risks, it still is approved for other cancers (to include colon cancer), and can be used "off-label" by physicians.  My advice: Be an informed patient and exercise your power of choice.  In our case, we assessed I was very strong and fit coming into the disease.  That, in the end, did not protect me from Avastin's side effects.  This new finding will, for me, lead to additional tests and a need to be closely monitored for additional changes to my heart.

And, I will just add this: The cardiologist with whom I am working plainly stated neither he nor his colleagues previously have seen the combination of changes as they appear in my heart.  To say this will get worse, then, is more cardiologist conjecture than science based on any established patient patterns.  

In fact, it may or may not get worse.  I believe the body is an amazing machine able to function and heal in ways physicians sometimes cannot explain (miracles).  I am committed to living in the present and focusing on healing this body -- Every. Single. Day.  I have heard doctor after doctor say that the thing cancer survivors have in common is a strong, positive belief that they (we) will prevail.  In this household:  We are strong.  We are positive.  We are filled with purpose.  We will prevail.

Quote of the Day:

I am realistic -- I expect miracles.

                                     ~Wayne Dyer

VIA FRANCIGENA!