I'm back - PET results and more chemo

I got back from Mexico Wednesday night and went to the oncologist Thursday AM.

While my CT didn't show anything at all, the PET showed the 3 nodes had shrunk a lot, and the metabolic activity had slowed, but the cancer is not completely gone. The report says it shows current treatment is working well. The "cyst" that the CT showed on my liver did not show on the PET. So I have nothing new, and the 3 nodes are shrinking and don't have much activity anymore! We will do another PET in 2 months. No point in doing CT, as it doesn't show my issues.

My oncologist says the plan is to try and push me through 12 FOLFIRI w/Avastin. Then go on maintenance chemo for life of 5-FU. With little breaks here and there for vacations or family things. I'm not thrilled about that idea. I truly think chemo will kill me faster than cancer will if I stay on it permanently. I plan to try to get through the 12 FOLFIRI and if I'm clear, take a chemo break, with monthly CEA monitoring and 3 month scans.

I knew I should have been on 5mg of Coumadin, but we wanted to be safe since I wasn't being monitored for 9 days. On 2.5mg of Coumadin my INR is just at 1. Too low. So now I'm bumped to 5mg. The pain did finally let up about a week ago.

Due to my allergic reaction to Irinotecan last time, I got double Decadron and double Benadryl via IV at the start of infusion. I slept through the whole thing. They ran it slow, just in case. It was a long, boring day for my daughter with me sleeping. I guess this is what is to come. No more getting work done from the infusion room - chemo day will be nap day.

I was disconnected this afternoon. Tomorrow I have to go to the hospital to get my Neulasta shot. Monday I have to get my INR checked. And probably have my port flushed again. Today the nurse couldn't get any return again and was concerned. Said I need TPA to clean it out again.

I sure was spoiled with a couple cycles of not having to go anywhere - disconnected at home, Neulasta at home, no labs needed till next chemo day. Now I'm back to running for shots and labs again. Yuck.

The good thing is now that my onc is of the mindset "chemo for life" he doesn't fight me about breaks. I just had a week for the Mexico trip. I got tx #5 now, and I'll get #6, and then I'm taking New Year's off too, another week break. I think I can get through the 12 FOLFIRI with these little breaks. Otherwise I don't think I could do it. Chemo and I just don't mix well. I really wish I could have surgery - I do much better with that.