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07/13/2007: "Health Status Report"
Well it’s been 4 ½ weeks since surgery and two weeks into chemo so I figure it was time to deliver a status report.
I think we can consider the surgery a success as far as its intended goals. The primary focus was to stabilize the spine. The tumor had weakened the existing vertebra and its new replacement is now stronger than bone. It is also pinned and plated to the vertebra above and below. According to the surgeon, if I were to break my neck now, it wouldn’t happen there. The pain and numbness down my arms that I felt because of nerve pinch is gone and I am regaining strength in my hands. My neck is still sore and I get twinges of pain when I turn my head a little too far to the right. As a result, the muscles in the neck are still working hard to try and support and so they are tight and sore. But for the most part, I am happy with the results and recovery. During surgery, not only did they remove the bone that was tumor infested but they also removed a nearby mass. Their goal was not to go after the cancer so I suspect I still have some activity in the area but I like to think they did a little house cleaning that may help.
My lungs are on a slow improvement. I am still using oxygen on a consistent basis but find I can go without easily if I am sitting or walking around the house. When tested with a PulseOx reader, my numbers are strong and draw compliments from the nurse or therapist. Yesterday I was able to obtain smaller, more portable oxygen bottles so my mobility will be much better. I still get very winded with the slightest exertion but I would say that there is some slow improvement. My lungs are pretty crowded with tumors so unless they start to shrink, I will only improve so far.
Tomorrow marks two weeks of oral chemotherapy. This drug has you take it for two weeks and then break for one. Apparently side effects are common during the week off as well so it’s really a break from having to eat five pills, twice a day. I am starting to recognize some of the side effects from the last time I was on the IV version of this drug. Besides being a little more tired, I get some stomach and bowel problems. Regular blood tests show that my body is tolerating the drug pretty well as my white and red blood cell counts and other indicators stay strong. Soon they will decide that I am healed enough to start the drug Avastin. This one is getting some press these days as our local Genentech is seeing profits soar due to its widespread use.
So, I am on the mend and heading in the right direction. I also continue to look into alternative treatments and will be talking more about fermented soy beverages (yum) and Cesium Chloride as I explore those two next.
Good Report! Hang in there. Big Hugs!