MRI update, nausea, etc.

Today, I took my first day off from work that was not appointment-related. I began to feel nauseated as I left for work, but hoped that it would pass. By the time I got to my office, I was feeling much worse.  I tried to wait it out, but when I realized it was not getting better I ran into Shannon's office and did a quick game-plan for all the things I would miss today (thank you, Shannon!) and then left. I spent the next hour nauseated and vomiting (in my own home, thank goodness for on-campus housing).

I called the doctor's office and discovered that my oncologist did not want me on this medication (prescribed by my dermatologist) anyway. So, I am going to wade through a yucky day today, and hopefully will feel much better soon, and not have to deal with this again.

I met with the dermatologist on Tuesday 9/17 to help manage the rash that I have had for about three weeks. It is not itchy, but a painful folliculitis that looks like rageful acne. It has improved with a super-high steroid cream, but I can only use the cream for two weeks--I have 4 days left. I also can't use it on my face so we had to discuss a plan for facial care.

On Tuesday, I also met with Dr. Drake. He provided feedback from the MRI and it looks like the tumor has not grown since August, which is good. We now have to sort out if it is dead or not. We will do that with a PET scan on Nov. 12 (and Elizabeth will come up and visit for it! YAY!!). The PET scan looks for metabolism. The tricky thing is that kidney cancer is a jerk and does not always "light up" on PET scans (but it also does not have any blood markers, so it is just a sneaky devil and this is what we've got). If it "lights up" a lot, then we have to look into surgery; if not, we can talk about what's next. Surgery still might be an option, but we will talk about the pros and cons. 

In other news from the doc, I am going to reduce the dose of medication that is giving me so many side effects. I am reducing the dose 40% and I hope that I will tolerate that much better. 

I also received my infusion. It was not awesome, but Lanie and I found a sunny spot to sit. There was about an hour and a half between arrival and beginning the actual IV. Of note, the nurse who was assigned to me was really bad at IVs. She messed up and just kept trying to fix it. Pulling the cannula in and out just isn't a good sign. I wish nurses would just accept when it isn't working and stab me in a new place, which is ultimately what happened (although there are notable bruises in both spots, so maybe this lady is just not great).

During Lanie's visit, she showed me several stretches/exercises to help me retain some range of motion while protecting my spine. When I am not so nauseated, I will try to get into a bit of a routine so that recovering from this nonsense will not be as much of an uphill battle. I will also do pretty much anything to help me have more energy, and I know staying active is another good way to keep up the energy. 

Looking forward, I have a follow-up appointment with radiation oncology next week. Fun times! 

xo

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