Good News First........
I saw my Radiology Oncologist yesterday. He only had good things to say about my CT scan. All 3 of the tumors have shrunk to half their size. One a little more, and one a little less. The internal organs they were affecting are now moving back into their original place and things look good. They found no impaired veins or organs due to the radiation. In fact, the little bit of cancer I have in my liver, may have taken on a bit of the radiation and improved a bit. You see, my tumors are not attached to my liver. They are just free floating around by the liver and pancreas so that is why it was so hard to determine what kind of cancer I had. I had no serrosis of the liver, nor at that time, any cancer in it. So it was such good news from the CT scan and I will be having another CT in 6 months. Soooooo happy!!!!
Now to the cruddy part.......
My harmone blocker med that they are using for my cancer, is causing havoc with my body. I really noticed on our cruise that my legs and hips were really hurting especially when I went to bed I felt it the most. It just kept getting worse.
Last week, one morning, I tried to get out of bed and I hurt so bad, I had a terrible time getting out. I could hardly move. I started pain med which helped somewhat but only took the edge off. Saturday and Sunday I spent flat on my back. It was the most comfortable position. Sitting hurt my hips and knees terribly. Lying down felt better. I hurt mostly there, but also my arms and shoulders. My buttocks felt like I had been bucked off a horse and landed on them. It was awful. Even during the night, I would have a painful time moving back and forth in bed. I didn't know what was going on. I looked on the internet for my drug I was taking, (Tamoxifan), I called and talked to the pharmacist, whatever I could do till my doctor's office opened on Monday. I was told that those symptoms were common for that drug and to take ibuprofen around the clock. Try to get ahead of the pain. When I saw my oncologist yesterday, I told him about the pain, and he essentially said the same thing. Take it around the clock for 3 weeks and try to get the inflammation to settle down. Three weeks? Seriously? It takes that long to get the inflammation down? I feel like an invalid. I hobble around like a really old grandma. REALLY OLD! (Since I shouldn't feel THAT old).
OK. So I am whining. I try not to whine much. But I was told that I may continue to feel like this as long as I take this medication. I don't even know if it is working. I don't know what to do. I feel like I don't want to hurt like this in my muscles and joints forever. I just cant have that quality of life from a medication is how I am feeling right now. I hope to get the inflammation down and see if it improves. Right now, I live from pain pill to pain pill 24/7.
Let's not end on a sad thought. I am so grateful for my good news. I have been blessed so much with that. We went to the temple last night to celebrate!!! And give thanks.
Try very hard to stay ahead of the pain it is hard to tame it once it is out of control. I don't know what kind of pain meds you take but if it has narcotics in it look into taking a small amount of miralax (polyethylene glycol, generic name) each evening and save yourself the extra pain of a slowed down digestive system. Dr.s tend to forget to tell you this side effect of pain meds. Good luck with conquering the pain and such good news the tumors have shrunk! You inspire me each day.
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