Tomorrow is a new day, and the start of a new treatment plan. Josh and I will be heading back to Hubert Humphrey in the morning so that I can start a new form of chemo - "ICE" which stands for 3 different drugs: Ifosfamide, Carboplatin and Etoposide. Tomorrow I will only get the Etoposide, and will be at Hubert Humphrey for an hour to hour 1/2. After that I'm free to go home and rest up. On Wednesday morning I will be admitted into North Memorial hospital overnight in order to receive the Ifosfamide which is a 24-hour drip via IV. The Carboplatin will also be given while I'm in the hospital. Nurse Kate thought I'd be released Thursday afternoon/evening time frame. If all goes well I should be able to go into work on Friday.
The plan right now is to get the ICE chemotherapy a couple times so after this round we'll wait a couple weeks and do it over again. In between treatments, Dr. Londer has mentioned giving me a Neulasta shot which helps the bone marrow produce white blood cells which helps the body fight infection. I'm nervous about this as I've heard from others who have had the pleasure of receiving this drug that it can cause a lot of pain throughout the body especially in the muscles, joints, and bones. Yippee! ... Not! I just read something online about over-the-counter Claritin working for the pain due to the Neulasta shot, so I'll have to keep that one in mind if/when the time comes around. Interesting!
Between the first and second round of treatment, I will be heading to the U again to chat with Dr. McClune regarding the logistics of the stem cell transplant. I guess what they'd like to do is get me through 2 rounds of ICE chemotherapy, do another PET scan, and depending on how much the cancer has melted or shrunk down will depend on if I get one more round of ICE, or if we go into the transplant in which I'll be out of commission for 2-3 weeks hanging out in a sterile/quarantined room away from the germs of the outside world. Just call me Bubble Girl!
One thing at a time though...
The next few days will be a new experience for sure, and I'm hoping I'll be able to handle this new form of chemo just as well if not better than the ABVD. I feel good about this new plan that's in place, and I keep trusting in the Lord and his plan for me. I've taken my hands off the wheel, and it's now time to let Him steer me the rest of the way. I'm anxious, but at the same time I'm excited to get the show on the road. It's time to show the big "C" who's boss because I'm not about to back down. I'm going to do whatever it takes.
Woo hoo! You go girl! I like that they are being so aggressive! Like you said, time to so the big "C" who is boss. I work wednesday night and would like to stop by just to say "hi." I will text you on Wednesday and see if you are up to it.
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