SCAN RESULTS AND NEW MED REACTIONS

January 14, 2025

When I posted last time, I had not received my CT scan results. They arrived within minutes of me posting that update! I decided to wait to update again, until I’d been on the new drugs for a while and could talk about them. I’m three days into the second week on Everolimus.

First the CT scan. It was concerning actually. I don’t understand all of it, but the summary described the results as “significant findings”. The nodules in my lungs have either stayed the same or had slight increases. This could be because I’d been off any cancer meds for a few weeks at that time. There was also something about thrombosis, something somewhere else that could be indications of metastatic cancer. It left me anxious and frightened, particularly because I don’t know what all these medical terms mean. I’m guessing Dr. Z doesn’t find them to be too awful, because he hasn’t called to discuss them or moved up my next appointment. I see him again on the 27th of this month. I guess I’ll just have to be content to wait until I meet with him to get my explanations. How I wish reports on the patient’s chart, easily accessible to the patient, could be written in terms the average person can understand.

I think I’m pretty savvy about medical stuff. I’ve had an auto immune disease all my life and doctors have always been open with me about that disease. I suppose where I’m savvy is in regard to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and not about cancer. Having experienced my dad’s battle with a different kind of cancer apparently didn’t educate me enough to understand my own results, though the fact that Dad died of his cancer definitely affects my thought process quite frequently. So, I won’t understand this report until I meet with the oncologist. I considered posting the results here, thinking someone might know more than I do, but I decided against it. It feels too private to put out on facebook or my blog.

A week and a half into the new meds, and things are relatively okay. Yes, there are side effects, but it’s not like the Cabometyx. I believe I started feeling miserable around this time with those. My major side effects so far as fatigue and diarrhea. Of course, diarrhea again! I can’t seem to escape it. I wonder if I’ll ever experience normal bodily functions again! I don’t have any mouth sores yet. I’m trying to be very good about using the prescription mouth rinse and using the rinse Denise sends me in between. I admit to missing a few mouth treatments, here and there, mostly interrupted because of taking naps. But so far, so good. Fingers crossed everyone.

Dr. Z’s office referred me to a nutritionist, and I’ve been in touch with her through My chart messaging and email. She helped a great deal. She advises me to eat frequent small meals or snacks, to stick to a low fiber diet to try to keep diarrhea to a minimum, high protein and high calorie meals. She also recommended some protein shakes, and a couple different electrolyte boosters, instead of using Gator aid. I ordered some of the protein shakes from amazon and some Pedialyte. I haven’t used either yet, but I will. I need to find room in the fridge! I wish I had a small fridge to keep in my room or something, just to hold things like these and my other hydration options. I have enjoyed working with the nutritionist quite a bit and feel better, more in control of my diet and ways to help my body go through this treatment.

Yesterday I had a video meeting with Laura, Dr. Z’s nurse, just to check in and discuss how I’m doing on these meds. She seemed pleased with my progress and reminded me that if anything gets worse, I should get in touch right away. She even told me to get in touch with her specifically, not just the triage line. Again, I felt so protected and cared for by this meeting. If all cancer patients get this kind of support from their doctors’ offices, they are lucky. I knew someone once who got pretty disgusted with me over my feelings of gratitude when people helped or supported me. But I’m not ashamed of the thankfulness I feel for Dr. Z and his office. They must deal with many patients every week, but I feel that they are as invested in my health, my cancer, my treatment and my hopeful recovery, as they might be with anyone else’s.

I guess that’s it for today. I’m going to try to do an online exercise class this morning through an organization called Couch to Active, a program specifically for people with disabilities. I’m still losing weight, but I’d like my body to get stronger. The class this morning is called mobility and stability. Yay. Unless anything drastic changes, I’ll be in touch again after my appointment with Dr. Z. Feel free to get in touch with me via email, if you like, at sherry.gomes@outlook.com and I’ll catch you all on the flip side.