Health Diaries > Colon Cancer > Llama Farming with Colon Cancer

December 14, 2005

Treatment #8

Treatment #8 was yesterday. It was another routine treatment with the exception that the experimental drug was increased to 100%. I should be a case study. We started at 100%, went to 0 after my sick week, then on at 50% and up to 75% and now back to 100%. We're pretty sure that my breaking out on the forehead is a reaction to that drug. I am getting some on my scalp and nose again, but if that's the worst I have to deal with I can handle that. I had a good chat with Stacy, the Nurse Practioner that is in charge. Been having some stomach acid at night, so will try a Zantac before bed. I asked why I've never been told my tumor rating, a T what? She look through my one inch thick folder and there was no notation in it. She did read where Dr. Stevens had noted the tumor had decreased dramatically. I had said significantly, so this sounds better. She did agree that I should look at the original CT Scan pictures for comparison. Since I am working at the hospital on weekends, I'll ask the X-ray nurse to pull those up for me on some dead (no pun intended) Sunday night. She explained the ratings system. A T1 is a very small tumor that is contained, L1 is in the lymph nodes, M1 is released and settled on another organ. So, I'm an M something and I would guess maybe a 3? Next visit with the doctor maybe I can pin that down. With the treatments on Tuesday now, I have a whole new group of people to recognize. I woke up from my usual nap and found the room full of women, several that were bald. I am so thankful I didn't lose any hair!!! I was disappointed that I had not gained any weight. I think that short bout of sickness kept me down. Stacy likes to "play" with fractions, so she reminded me that I was 2/3 of the way done. I commented that with the 50% dose I would expect another couple of weeks added on. She said that the experimental program ended in 12 weeks so that would be it. That remains to be seen after a final CT Scan. Guess that's about it for now. Everybody hang in there.

Posted by Robert on December 14, 2005 1:04 PM | DIGG | del.icio.us | furl