Just did the 22nd weekly chemo

herdizziness
herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I had no idea on 22nd infusion.  Had a scare three weeks ago, after going to Mexico and getting sick (got antibiotics and inhaler today) the next week back my CEA had risen from 20 (started out at 80) to CEA 66, which caused me great worry and sleepless nights wondering if this chemo was my last hope of surviving and now was going to be useless.  The next week CEA went down to 50, which was a relief, but it was going to be last week'a results to see if still falling or rising that would tell if chemo still working.  CEA 33, what sweet relief to see that drop too.  

After 4 1/2 years I've run the gambit like many others, then we have to wonder what is next, many of us (some with more years then I) searching for our next options.  What can you do? Just keep plugging along enjoying life and doing the best we can, and enjoying the most we can.

So I still enjoy my Jolly Ranchers but eat a lot of organic food.  I'm traveling to see my daughter, mind you they want me to wear a mask in the airplane (Doc and OOU nurses) along with antibiotics and an inhaler, that were ordered for me today, apparently my cold without spleen turned into a secondary infection, pus on tonsils, bad almost bronchial (he suspects bronchitis) problems, but raring to go!!

I love living this life even though cancer tends to interrupt it a lot (especially with all day long IV infusions and take home chemo every Thursday) but I'm not going to let that take me away from doing what I want, like spending time with my daughter and two other wonderful grandchildren.  My husband, son, daughter all tried to convince me to stay home.  Really, I just have cancer, I'm able to walk, live, love, laugh and travel.

Just rambling today, but every once in a while a good ramble can get things off your back.

Hugs ya all,

Winter Marie

PS. Plan on going sking too!!!

Comments

  • mukamom
    mukamom Member Posts: 402
    #2
    You sound like Robert !!

    He says "I'm going to feel bad sitting around or doing something, so I might as well do something." We took a day trip to Rock City and saw the leaves, he has started making pens out of wood, acrylic, antlers...turning them on his lathe and then selling them to nurses, doctors and patients while he was getting his infusions. I'd go in to see him and he would have a crowd of folks picking thru his pens.

    For Christmas, I got him a ticket for Dale Jarrett racing experience at Talladega Superspeedway. He gets to drive a race car 6 laps around the track @ 170 mph.  It will be a rush for him!

    He has a biopsy on that lymph node Dec 3..all liver tumors are "dormant".  Maybe its just an inflammation. I don't know what his options would be if it was progression. Seems he has run thru most everything.

     

    Keep enjoying your family and travels!! We are expecting our first granddaughter in April...Natalie Marie, so we will be making a trip to KY when she is born. Fun times!

     

    Angela

     

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #3
    That is great news on your

    That is great news on your CEA. I am glad to see you posting more. I like you truly love this life in spite of the cancer and take full advantage of the good days. Keep fighting.

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #4
    janderson1964 said:

    That is great news on your

    That is great news on your CEA. I am glad to see you posting more. I like you truly love this life in spite of the cancer and take full advantage of the good days. Keep fighting.

    Good for you for your

    Good for you for your positive attitude!

    I'm cranky these days because the chemo is making me miserable and I have to keep reminding myself that it's not the cancer itself that's making me feel crappy, it's the chemo. It's not indicative of whether or not I'm actually sick. I just feel sick. I'm so glad I had a break before the chemo during which I felt almost normal, just tired easily because I'm getting back to the 'will I ever feel normal again?' mental state and I can keep reminding myself that I will feel normal again one day.

  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #5
    JanJan63 said:

    Good for you for your

    Good for you for your positive attitude!

    I'm cranky these days because the chemo is making me miserable and I have to keep reminding myself that it's not the cancer itself that's making me feel crappy, it's the chemo. It's not indicative of whether or not I'm actually sick. I just feel sick. I'm so glad I had a break before the chemo during which I felt almost normal, just tired easily because I'm getting back to the 'will I ever feel normal again?' mental state and I can keep reminding myself that I will feel normal again one day.

    My oncologist has  always

    My oncologist has  always goven me an antibiotic to take with me on my travels!, just in case I started not not feeling well. I also wore a mask. Take care on your trip. <3

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #6
    JanJan63 said:

    Good for you for your

    Good for you for your positive attitude!

    I'm cranky these days because the chemo is making me miserable and I have to keep reminding myself that it's not the cancer itself that's making me feel crappy, it's the chemo. It's not indicative of whether or not I'm actually sick. I just feel sick. I'm so glad I had a break before the chemo during which I felt almost normal, just tired easily because I'm getting back to the 'will I ever feel normal again?' mental state and I can keep reminding myself that I will feel normal again one day.

    Jan

    I've got and had my moments too, like on Wednesday, is it Wednesday already, chemo tomorrow already and the feeling of not wanting to go.  But of course we go, however reluctantly, I just have to remind myself, I'm living because of this chemo.  And Jan it will get better, ooohhhh the times I went through especially in the beginning , just remember I've been going at this almost 5 years, so I know a lot of what to expect so it doesn't bother me as much I think, plus we all react differently to things and chemos, etc.  it'll get better.  And you be as cranky as you want to at times, I certainly had my share of those days.

    Winter Marie

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #7
    Nana b said:

    My oncologist has  always

    My oncologist has  always goven me an antibiotic to take with me on my travels!, just in case I started not not feeling well. I also wore a mask. Take care on your trip. <3

    Thanks

    Thanks Nana, I'll be careful and antibiotics are started.

    Winter Marie

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #8
    You go Girl

    Sounds like nothing is going to stop you.  Skiing - geez that's more than I'd have done 30 years ago.  Glad to hear the the CEA number is falling and hope it continues to fall even more.  Glad to see your post.  Glad that you are able to get around and feel good enough to do it.  Thank you for the update.

    Hugs!  Kim

  • Helen321
    Helen321 Member Posts: 1,460 Member
    #9
    Winter Marie, I am with your

    Winter Marie, I am with your kids. Let them come to yoy. Put up a fund me page, link it to your facebook and let the ticket costs get covered. I so wish I was rich.  Just before my surgery in winter, I wore a mask on the trains. Colds colds everywhere. It was a sniffle fest.

  • Trapbear
    Trapbear Member Posts: 108 Member
    #10
    Have a great trip Winter and

    Have a great trip Winter and keep on keeping on.   My Christopher was on chemo almost constantly for 7 years, he never let it stop him from living.  He didn't slow down until near the end.  You are a real fighter honey.  Love you!!

    Bill

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