Category: #nkwadcancerkick

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Benefits seen by Alberta Cancer Exercise participants

Medical research is important to build up the knowledge and evidence required for cancer treatment improvement. That’s why I’m proud to have participated in the Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) program. Since I have had to step back temporarily from work because of this awful disease, I might as well give back to the community through research related to cancer.

I’m 15 weeks into incorporating daily exercise (side-effects permitting) as part of my cancer treatment. I’ve completed baseline and 12-week testing, and will do so again at the 24- and 52-week marks, and annually thereafter for a total of 5 years of being followed in this study.

ACE’s goal is to work towards ensuring exercise becomes part of the standard of care for all cancer survivors. I am thrilled my oncologist prescribed exercise as part of my treatment plan, and I hope this valuable research will show the impact it has on active both patients and cancer thrivers.

ACE put together a short video for their recent “2019 Drive for Thrive” fundraiser. Watch to see how this program has positively impacted my wellbeing during my cancer treatment, and what it has done for other patients and thrivers.

https://vimeo.com/339048099

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Taxane Allergies

I just got back from my Oncologist, and given the reactions I have had this past week and a half since my last chemo treatment, her Director’s Privilege request to the Alberta Cancer Board was approved and I will be switching my second half of my chemo course on a different drug. Both chemos are Taxanes and sound familiar by name. I’m currently on Paclitaxel (brand name: Taxol) and will be moving to nab-Paclitaxel (brand name: Abraxane).

According to AHS:

“Patients who have had severe acute infusion reactions with paclitaxel or docetaxel, considered by the treating physician to be due to the vehicle of the taxanes (cremophor and polysorbate80); or patients who have experienced severe toxicity* from previous administration of other taxanes.”

* “severe toxicity could be due to the pre-medications for the administration of the taxane or due to the taxane itself” (source: AHS)

I will not get chemo this week again and will start on the Abraxane drug next week. Instead of being administered every two weeks, I will now move to a weekly infusion schedule, which means I have 9 more chemo sessions to go. It also means that instead of completing my chemo treatment on August 2, my last chemo will now be September 20th.

For the most part, the side effects of the drug itself are apparently similar: Abraxane (http://chemocare.com/…/drug-in…/Paclitaxel-Proteinbound.aspx) v. Taxol (http://chemocare.com/chemotherapy/drug-info/Paclitaxel.aspx). The main difference is that Taxol is known to create a hypersensitivity reaction (allergic reaction). However, for most people, the pre-chemo medication prevents this from happening. Sadly, I am just plain difficult and reacted to it. Until now, I have never had any allergies or hypersensitivities. Go figure I would react to my chemo.

I asked why patients weren’t automatically put on nab-Paclitaxel (Abraxane) if it is virtually the same drug but is known to cause less reaction. The simple answer: the cost (there are apparently other reasons too, but this is the major one). One dose of Abraxane is approximately 10x the cost of Taxol. So, it completely makes sense to give Taxol given that most of the patients are able to tolerate it, and make exceptions for those who can’t.

Crossing my fingers that this is the last big road bump in my chemo journey.

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The genetic testing conundrum

My genetics counselling and testing appointment was moved up to today. It was so interesting to learn about the type of testing done, genetic classifications, implications of results, etc.

Because of our family history and my impending surgery, the genetics team will be rushing results and I should have them by the last week of July.

It’s an interesting conundrum when you have to consider the long term implications to not only myself but other family members. One of the most interesting considerations is “genetic discrimination” (think employment, insurance, etc). While there are laws that protect us in Canada against this, not every country does, and laws can change.

It’s important for me to know as it impacts my surgery and will give me insights as to whether or not other family members should get tested. There are many more considerations, but those were the ones important to me. Here is what the Canadian Cancer Society says about genetic testing.

Now, let the waiting game begin.

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More side effects

Here is an interesting video on how Herceptin works along with chemotherapy. Before Herceptin came along, I would have only had approximately 21 months to live.

While Herceptin and I didn’t get along on injection day, and add in my Paclitaxel chemo dose, I’m definitely feeling a ton of side effects today, including a splitting headache, upset stomach / GI tract, abdominal pain and heartburn. Not sure if it’s the headache and noise sensitivity, but I burst into tears while trying to have breakfast with the family.

My husband brought me lightly seasoned cucumbers as a small snack after breakfast, putting two aside without any seasoning, so that I could put them on my eyes, which were puffy from crying.

I’m now lying in bed with the dogs and listening to the rain outside. It’s somewhat soothing and making me feel better.

Are my blog posts helpful to you or someone you know? If so, feel free to buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.

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Scary reaction to Herceptin

Chemo + Herceptin drips went from 8h15 to 15h45. What a day! With this new part of my treatment, I’ll be getting drips 6 out of the 8 next weeks.

Unfortunately, within a few minutes, I started showing moderate allergic reaction symptoms to the Herceptin (https://myhealth.alberta.ca/…/medica…/Pages/conditions.aspx… ) even though I had taken an antihistamine as part of my pre-chemo medication and received an IV dose of dexamethasone (https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a616022.html) prior to getting the Herceptin drip. With all of that, I shouldn’t have had a reaction, so when I started showing symptoms, the nurses immediately took me off the chemo and gave me Benadryl via IV (https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/allergic).

Pumping Diphenhydramine (aka Benadryl) directly into a narcoleptic’s veins knocked me right out!

After the allergic side effects subsided fully, they observed me 30 minutes and challenged my body with the Herceptin again. Thankfully, I didn’t react further. I’ll be under close watch for the next 2 Herceptin treatments. Usually, by the third treatment, the expectation is that I should have acclimatized to the drug and I shouldn’t have any more allergic responses.

The Paclitaxel (https://myhealth.alberta.ca/…/medica…/Pages/conditions.aspx… ) treatment was thankfully uneventful. As I was leaving, i met another wonderful breast cancer patient and we exchanged details. Hopefully we will have a chance to meet again!

Now, I’m home resting but am feeling exhausted, headachy and heartburn is kicking in.

I had dinner in bed and N came in the snuggle me for a few minutes. Now, my turn to get ready for bed too.

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Ice booties

Today marks the halfway mark of my chemo journey. I’m learning how to adapt to the various side effects I’ve experienced. After having severe Plantar Erythrodysesthesia from my last chemo treatment, I’m all set up with foot ice packs for this treatment.

My dad, who worked in the shoe business most all of his life, told me he knows about snow shoes but this was the first time he manufactured “ice shoes”.

We are taking the ice bags home as my dad has an idea on how to improve on this version. Perhaps we will start manufacturing new and improved “chemo ice booties” as a new venture? You can’t take the entrepreneur spirit out of this man!

Are my cancer tips useful? If so, feel free to buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.