Update February 2019: OK and Not So Great News
So, after returning from a fun four week trip to SE Asia, I had CT and bone scans done. On Tuesday I met with my oncologist, the wonderful Dr. Iqbal, who gave me the OK and not-so-great news update: the Ibrance (pablociclib) was continuing to work on my liver and lungs where the tumours are stable however there has been progression in the bone mets (metastases).
Progression is really an awful word.
So, I will be starting IV injection chemo in the next few weeks and continue with letrazole and hope that this combination does the trick. I’ll be taking Taxol which can have side effects such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss etc. So, after all these years, I will finally lose my hair. Sigh.
Finding progression on the bone mets did not come as a surprise. It looked that way from the bone scan in November although it wasn’t as clear as it is now. Plus, I’ve had more pain in my hips, legs and lower back over the past months.
So, I’m changing to another treatment option and if that doesn’t provide good results, there are other options for the future. At the moment, I still feel reasonably strong and healthy and, as my sister said today, the end of winter is in sight. It may be a few months away but it’s in sight. And I’ll plan a trip for after the chemo is done (hopefully within 6 months) so that I have something to look forward to.
The recent trip to Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore did my heart good, seeing friends, enjoying the culture and food of the region. I’m extremely grateful that I had that opportunity to travel there and hope to go back at some point.
Verla and Randy joined me in Vietnam for two weeks. To get an overview of the Vietnam travels, check out Verla’s blog at:
She has also written about her previous trips to Vietnam and Guatemala which are very entertaining.
Here are some articles to peruse.
These are about “beating” cancer and those who don’t.
And living life to the fullest once you’ve received that diagnoses.
And here’s one about leaving a legacy.
Here are some of my favourite pictures from my SE Asia trip.
Warmer days in Vietnam
Tea with Ayesha
Cocktails with Jen and Ayesha
My fabulous hosts, Scot and Donica
At an elephant rescue
Touring the city with Amb Deborah and Cho
Shopping at Huong's place
Coffee at Joma with Yen
Dinner with some of the embassy staff
Drinks with Haoi at Angelina's at Metropole
Coffee with Trinh
Hue Citadel
Perfect beach north of Da Nang
Evening in Hoi An
Matchy match
Street food tour by scooter
And motorbike
Making banh mi
Much food
Meeting up for high tea with Heather
Dinner at hawker centre with Linh
Li-McDonald family
Orchid garden at Botanical garden
Goodbye at the airport
And here's the recent bone scan on right :(
Thanks for sharing, Deborah. The links are so good, too - both gritty and light, questioning and profound. I feel like I am an observer of the activities of you and other members of a club and not sure if it is appropriate to watch sometimes and yet I am influenced by the opportunity in many ways. I agree with one of the articles that the whole cancer journey motif is not my favourite, and life as story vs journey appeals more to me because I see so many different stories you are sharing, with people who choose a wide range of genres because of your diverse life experiences. I guess I think that journeys end while stories are told and retold for generations. Keep them coming.
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