Tag: Cancer

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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.

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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!

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Doxorubicin and Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia

I met with my oncologist this morning and discussed my newest symptoms which appeared over the past 24 hours: new mouth sores; coughing up thick, yellow phlegm; red, goopy eyes; and Hand-Foot Syndrome, also know as Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE). I guess the lucky part is that it is only on my feet. It is an uncommon side-effect of the Doxorubicin I’m on. Check out the pictures of my feet! Within 15 minutes, the big blister on my right foot appeared and the others showed up at different times. This is what PPE looks like on the feet on a cancer patient.

Given I still have a cold, new mouth sores and now PPE, they cannot give me chemo on Friday without further risking my health. So, my chemo is delayed a week, which means more bloodwork on Monday, another visit to the oncologist on Wednesday and we hope that I am well enough to get my chemo on Friday next week.

You can read more about this odd side effect here cause by my Doxorubicin drug here: https://www.breastcancer.org/tr…/side_effects/hand_foot_synd

So, until these awful blisters heal up, I’m basically bedridden. Fun stuff!

Hopefully I didn’t scare you away? If you feel so inclined, I’d be thrilled if you could buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.

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Mouth sores

Party in my mouth… not the fun kind. And these are only in the tongue and throat. I have some on my lower gums too. Unfortunately, this is a common side effect of chemotherapy. My oncologist has already prescribed me a “magic mouthwash”, which numbs the mouth and has a topical antibiotic in it as well.

After a few days, it wasn’t improving in all spots. I went to the doctor and it looks like those white spots (where I wrote ‘not teeth’) is actually thrush. So, I’m adding Nystatin to my drug repertoire.

More blended and soft foods to come.

If this post was useful, feel free to buy me a coffee or contribute towards some of my uninsured medical expenses.