My run with Cancer

 Hi Everyone, Wanted to send out a quick update after my call with the Oncologist.   Chemo is working!  Some of the spots have disappeared and the rest have shrunk.  YAY!!! We discussed next steps and have a plan to scale back chemo to give my system a bit of a break.  Basically, I will be able to round out the next 2 weeks at the cottage without having to come home and will then have 2 more rounds of the regular chemo (FOLFIRI) starting Sept 2nd.  After those 2 rounds we will drop one of the chemo drugs (irinotecan) for the next while.  This is one of the 3 drugs in the FOLFIRI cocktail and the one that is hardest on your body (nausea, toxicity, neutropenia etc).  It was explained to me as being the standard practice in the US and has been shown to have no impact on duration of treatment efficacy or prognosis.  It also allows for more time with less side effect and less impact on my overall health.  The longer term plan is to scan ...

 Hey everyone, So the plan worked. Did the shots... had the chemo. But MAN those shots kicked me in the butt. Literally. It’s strange to say your bones hurt... but apparently kicking your bone marrow into high gear can be uncomfortable... and in hindsight continuing to run may have been questionable. By day 4 of the shots my legs and hips were in agony. I took day 5 (Sunday) off from running and felt much better.  Chemo itself went fine. Can’t say I’ve bounced back as well this go around but I have to wonder if the shots immediately followed by chemo have something to do with that. Sitting up at 3am right now hoping the “yuk” will pass soon.  I’ll be sure to post some cottage pics and updates... as well as an update post call with my doctor on the 17th. Hoping that will give us a better idea of what’s to come now that we’ve done the first scan.  Thanks to everyone who’s reached out with a quick text or message. Miss y’all ❤️ Shannon

Just a quick update... I was supposed to have chemo yesterday but unfortunately my white blood cell count was too low (so my immune system was too compromised).  This meant a delay in my next treatment and a change to my treatment schedule.  This wouldn't normally be a big deal but of course... Ian is about to start 3 weeks of holidays (sorely needed) and we wanted to spend as much of it at the cottage as possible.  Delaying chemo a week meant treatment on week 1 and 3 of his holidays plus a ridiculous Covid test on week 2.  When I groaned about this to the nurse on the phone, she worked with me for 10 mins looking at the calendar and trouble shooting with me, and told me to leave it with her... she would talk to the Dr on call (because of course these things only happen when my Oncologist is on holidays... Murphy's Law).   She came back with a beautiful plan.  I started 5 days of injections yesterday to boost my white blood cells and will have chemo o...