Happy August, everyone!
It’s been a little while since I’ve updated, and unfortunately, a lot has happened since my last post.
I recently had a PET scan, and the results confirmed what my bloodwork had been showing: the Trodelvy I had been on did not work, and the cancer has progressed significantly—especially in my liver, but also in my bones. I’m still waiting on the results from the brain MRI I had this morning to know whether the treatment had any effect there. The progression in my liver also helps explain the pain I’ve been experiencing there. It’s difficult to process news like this, especially when you’ve been hoping and praying that a treatment will work.
So, it was back to the drawing board. As I mentioned in my last update, I had an appointment scheduled with a doctor who specializes in a treatment called histotripsy. Histotripsy is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment that uses focused ultrasound waves to destroy tumors in the liver. Rather than surgery, radiation, or heat, it uses microscopic bubbles that rapidly expand and collapse, mechanically breaking apart tumor tissue. I actually met with this surgeon before I met with my oncologist, so he was the one who shared my PET scan results with me. Unfortunately, because of the amount and extent of cancer in my liver, I am not a candidate for histotripsy. That was definitely a disappointment.
Then, on Monday, I met with my oncologist. Since the PET scan showed that Trodelvy was not working, we decided to move forward with trying to get insurance approval for another chemotherapy drug called Eribulin. There is a significant downside to Eribulin: it does not cross the blood-brain barrier, so it won't treat the cancer in my brain or spinal fluid. But right now, the most urgent concern is my liver. There is a very large amount of cancer there, and getting that under control is critical.
Last Monday, I also received a new injection called Xgeva, which is intended to help strengthen my bones and reduce the risk of fractures from the bone metastases.
Then, on Thursday, I found out that Eribulin had finally been approved by my insurance. They were able to squeeze me in that afternoon, so I started treatment immediately. The infusion itself is actually pretty quick, and I only had one pre-medication—an anti-nausea medication. I was also told that Eribulin shouldn't be as hard on my blood counts as some of the other treatments I've been on.
Unfortunately, my body had a very different experience. By Friday and Saturday, I was extremely fatigued. I just wanted to lie down or sit and rest. Then on Saturday, I started having chills and felt warm. Since I had been using a heating pad, I initially wondered if that was why I felt hot. But Drew took my temperature, and sure enough, I had a fever.
I have always been told that if I ever develop a fever over 100.4, I need to call my doctor immediately and go to the hospital. I had never actually had to do that before, so let's just say I was a little surprised when I found myself calling the Texas Oncology after-hours number. They told me to go to the hospital immediately.
Long story short, we ended up spending several days in the hospital with neutropenic fever. It is a serious and potentially dangerous complication, so they treated me very aggressively—essentially as though I could be septic. I received IV antibiotics around the clock and had frequent bloodwork. And unfortunately, my blood counts just kept falling. Not only were my white blood cell counts extremely low, but my red blood counts dropped as well. When I was discharged yesterday, my white counts were still incredibly low, so they gave me an injection of filgrastim, a medication that stimulates the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells. I’m heading back to Texas Oncology this afternoon for more lab work and possibly another injection. If my red blood counts are still as low as they were yesterday, I may also need a blood transfusion.
And then tomorrow, I’m scheduled for my next treatment. Obviously, after what happened following my first treatment, I imagine there will be some adjustments to the treatment plan. It’s a little ironic—and frustrating—that I was told this drug shouldn't be as hard on my blood counts as the previous treatments, only to have my body respond this way.
So right now, there are a lot of unknowns. But there is one thing I know for certain: God is not surprised by any of this.
He already knows the entire story.
He knows what the scans will show. He knows how my body will respond. He knows which treatment will work. He knows what tomorrow holds, even when I don't. And that gives me peace.
I pray that God will use every part of this journey—even the scary, uncertain, and painful parts—to bring glory to His Kingdom. If I have to walk through this difficult road, my prayer is that my life and my story can somehow point people toward Him.
I also had a telemedicine appointment on Monday with MD Anderson to discuss Phase 1 clinical trials. Since my doctor there wasn't able to get me into a Phase 2 or Phase 3 trial, we're now exploring Phase 1 options. Phase 1 trials are very early-stage treatments—new ideas that are being tested in people for the first time. In many ways, it would be a “Hail Mary,” but we want to have options available if this new treatment doesn't work.
The biggest challenge is that participating would likely mean traveling to Houston every week, which would be difficult with everything we have going on at home with school, sports, activities, and just everyday life. But for now, we're taking things one step at a time and trusting God to make the path clear.
I'm thankful for all the friends who have helped with meals, rides for the kids since we couldn't be in three places at one time, sitting with me at my infusion, visiting at the hospital (even though they had to mask up due to neutropenia precautions), hosting our kids when we were in the hospital, and for praying and checking in on me. It means a lot.
So, if you would pray with us, these are the things especially on my heart right now:
- That the Lord would heal and strengthen my bone marrow and my body, allowing my blood counts to recover so I can continue fighting this cancer.
- That my body would be able to tolerate this treatment—with whatever adjustments are necessary—and that the treatment would be effective, if it is the Lord’s will.
- Most of all, that the Lord would completely heal me and that He would use this entire journey and my story to bring glory to His Kingdom.
There is a lot we don't know right now.
But we know the One who does.
And for today, that is enough. Hopefully I can find time to do another post about all the fun stuff going on with our family. Activities have kicked in, and we are managing to squeeze them in between all the doctor appointments (or during with the help of friends).
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