I've been home from the hospital for a month now, and my days have been filled with medical appointents of every kind. Fortunately, there has been time for good visits with friends and my family as well.
Still trying to figure out why I am so exhausted and unable to walk very far. That part actually seems worse than a couple of months ago. It is frustrating, as I've always been one to accomplish a lot, walk quickly, and take care of my own needs. I think that is the hardest for me--having to rely on Frank and others to do the smallest tasks.
CT and PET scans taken in early April show my cancer has spread some throughout the abdomen, spine, and small nodules in one lung. However, it hasn't advanced as quickly as I feared it would, so that's really good news.
In several aspects things are looking positive. I'm no longer as anemic as I had been for several months. My lone kidney continues to function well. I've started on a cancer-targeting drug, Votrient, that has a fair success rate for advanced renal cell carcinoma. Side effects are mostly with the digestive system, as well as more fatigue. My blood clot, or deep vein thrombosis, is being treated with anticoagulants, and the leg swelling is completely gone.
I also had my first day of radiation on my spine today. While my type of cancer doesn't respond to radiation, it can destroy the cells that have invaded the bone. We are hoping that after 15 days or so of radiation my back pain will be lessened.
Thank you to several friends who did some research and on the issue of medical marijuana. One friend brought some product for me to try, and it does seem to work on the pain. Today I saw my primary care doctor, who has prescribed medical marijuana pills for me. So that is one more hoop navigated. Hoping it will also help improve my appetite.
I've been remembering my dear friend, Dyane Hurson, who passed away this week while traveling in Arizona. Such a fun, compassionate, and upbeat person. Just another reminder that life is filled with unexpected twists and turns, and nwe never know what it will bring--or take away. Hug those you love frequently, dear friends. ~ Gayle