Wednesday, April 2 (Chemo #5)

Chemo day. I went in early to get my IV and have blood taken for the ABS neutrophil retest. It took the nurse two tries for the IV, which is worse than one but better than four. The number returned to normal range, so we could proceed with the appointment and chemo.

My appointment today was with my surgeon, not the PA as it usually is. I was nervous to ask her to please interpret the results of my CT scan. She is a brilliant surgeon but she does NOT sugarcoat anything, so I knew she'd give the stark reality. I was so happy when she confirmed that the results were good! She even said she thinks the trace fluid noted in the results might just be scar tissue from the scraping she did on the diaphragm. So we can all be confidently happy with this scan.

This is good news to hold onto, because my CA-125 results today were disappointing: six points higher than last time. I messaged the PA right away, and she discussed the results with the doctor and study coordinator, and they are not concerned since the increased amount is not significant and can happen for all kinds of reasons. With the scan results and my lack of any symptoms or problems, plus today's chemo and the next one, she said this is nothing to be concerned about. Hard to not worry, but thank goodness there are the scan results to keep me grounded.

Chemo today was fine. The worst part (aside from the IV) was the ice mittens and booties. Andrew accidentally left them home this morning, bringing only the ice packs, so the nurse gave us some tape and we just taped the ice packs to my hands and feet while he ran home to get the mittens and booties. They were very very cold. I couldn't read or put in my AirPods so I just lay there, shivering. So unpleasant.

Andrew came back and fixed everything up, and we spent the day watching most of season three of Hacks. Hacks was very good chemo company and had us laughing out loud. Beth came down at lunchtime to give Andrew time to go out to Panera for lunch. The study coordinator came up to see me to discuss and offer reassurance once again about the CA-125 and had actually run into Andrew in the hallway on his way out and provided the same. I definitely appreciate the quick responsiveness to my worried questions!

We got home by 3:30. Mom and Dad weren't able to come today but we were fine--Andrew managed the complex series of pickups and dropoffs successfully (picked up Lucia from musical at 6:15 to get her to tutoring at 6:30; returned to school to pick Greta up at crew at 6:45; brought Greta home; returned to Regent Square to pick Lucia up from tutoring at 7:30). I helpfully lay in bed and watched Gilmore Girls. We ordered from Pastoli's for dinner. 

Gearing up for this cycle was hard, and I'm still dreading the feelings of tiredness and weakness and spaciness in the days ahead, but I have ONE cycle left. And the doctor today confirmed that the chemo is doing good things. I am almost on the other side of this stage. 

Other notes from the day:

After the last cycle, I'll still be having appointments with the PA or doctor every three weeks, and scans every three months, so there will be lost of monitoring and assessment as I move on to the Letrozole--the benefit of being part of this clinical trial. 

The doctor told me she wouldn't call me NED until my CA-125 is in the teens or single digits. However, she said that some people never get that low and find stability at a higher number. The key is the stability. So I'll have to wait for that official designation.

I asked the doctor today about getting some physical therapy after I finish chemo just to rebuild some of the strength I've lost after the surgery and chemo, and she said that was a good idea and will provide a referral. 

Thanks to our extreme eating in NYC, I've gained four pounds and am back to my pre-surgery weight. 

I've been having an annoying amount of teariness and pinkness in my left eye, and I've been fearing pinkeye. I asked if it was okay if I went to the eye doctor for antibiotics, and the doctor said that wasn't necessary--this is a common side effect of chemo, since losing eyelashes causes the eyes to water. So weird. So disturbing. 

My battered immune system will return to normal after chemo, the doctor said. It will take a little time but will get there. This is a relief. I'm diligent about my mask-wearing anytime I'm out, but there are so many viruses out there right now. She confirmed that getting one--RSV, COVID, bird flu--would not necessarily land me in intensive care but would be very very bad. Whenever possible, Andrew brings me to and picks me up from work so I can avoid riding the crowded bus.