Waiting for treatment options

Looking forward to hearing from you tonight or when you can Donna Faye. I have white coat hypertension and understand exactly what you are going through. I hope you were able to get clarity with your questions and are able to make a decision on next steps. 

Love and Hugs

Cindi

as you make your decision. You and your family and friends have researched the hell out of this, had your two hour consultation (!) and now you are as equipped as well as you can be to make your decision. Grace under pressure. Thanks for keeping us informed. I am rooting for you no matter what. 

Denise

It's a hard call to make but I know you have considered all aspects and will make a good decision.  Best wishes to you and thanks for keeping us posted. 

Edit to say, for what it's worth, when they were discussing the potential side effects of the pembro/levatinib combination, they said that the sponsor had told them that severe side effects "were not typical" in the study.

I am glad your meeting provided some good information for you are feeling the peace you deserve. 

Prayers too!  So strong! But of course we have no choice, do we?

Thinking of you as you ponder your treatment options. Your dr sounds grest and I'm glad you have such a wonderful, supportive family!

Donna Faye said:

Always thankful for ya'll

Feeling stronger this morning as I read all your comments and know you DO understand as we make choices as CQ said - "we have no choice" but to choose. I have never had to make such a difficult choice except when I asked for a divorce.  That was 25 years ago, but like now, I did not rush as I knew it was a life-changing choice. I need to decide what I can live with w/o too much anger as I do not do sick or puny well. I wrote a letter to my oncologist for yesterday's meeting and just shared my life with her. It was a great move as we probably connected better than we ever have as she too was a cowgirl in her youth in Montana.  She opened up about understanding now why I need to choose a treatment that will not make me hang up my boots. I always believed in the power of the written word. We high fived and said Ya Hoo!

I can so relate to that divorce decison taking so long.  I was in a bad marriage for many years, but even when I knew I didn't want it anymore, it took me two years to work up the courage to change my life and leave.  I saw a therapist during that time, and she always said, "When you come to terms with how you want to live from now until death, you will know what you need to do."  Once I got through that hurdle, what a relief.  I moved out, got a beautiful apartment, got a better job, and better relationships with my friends, and within a few years I was dating.  And then I met my current husband, who is such a blessing in my life.  I can't even imagine having been married to anyone else.

This cancer thing is SO different. While I know that I technically have choices, choosing to let the cancer "win" just doesn't ever seem like the right choice.  And even if our cancer is slow-growing, I wanted it gone ASAP.  What is so unsettling is not knowing if it is really, really gone.  Its kind of like wondering if your ex-husband is actually still living in the walls of your home.  Ugh.

I am starting 5 rounds of brachy in March... scared out of my mind, but I don't feel like any other choice is the right choice.

Hi Donna Faye, I want to wish you all the best as you decide on which treatment option to pursue.  It sounds like you have fantastic family and medical support systems, which will be invaluable in reaching a final decision with which you will be most comfortable and at peace. 

I remember a social worker who facilitated a cancer support group I attended many years ago saying that people deal with cancer the same way the have dealt with all other major life challenges.  I sense that you've been a wise decision-maker throughout your life and that this decision will be no exception.