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Northwind said:
So I had my first treatment with the new drug today. It went well. My appointment was at 9:00 am. I went in and the nurse spent some time telling me about the drug and things that I might expect. They give the first infusion very slowly, over three hours. The subsequent infusions will each be one hour. There are some potential reactions to the drug during the infusion including sudden onset diarrhea. That thankfully did not happen. Sometimes people react to the anti-nausea drug that is given by IV as a pre-drug to deal with the sside effects. Benadryl is also given by IV. So, talking with the nurse and administering the pre-drugs took about an hour.

Prior to going to the clinic I took three drugs which help with side effects. One is a very powerful anti-nausea drug. It is three capsules for the price of $125. It is worth every penny. I also take dexamethasone, which is a steroid, and another more garden variety anti-nausea med. You may have noticed that anti-nausea meds are popular. :) Apparently the drug I'm on makes people nauseated. Thankfully, all these drugs were covered by BC's Fair Pharmacare plan. I didn't pay a cent.

So, after the pre-drugs came the main course. It is Sacituzumab govitecam aka Trodelvy. It was originally used to treat colon cancer and was approved for use with my type of breast cancer in June. That means BC Cancer pays. My oncologist said this is the new wonder drug. Here's hoping. That was administered over three hours. I had to stay for another 30 minutes for observation.

The process was smooth though long. I left the clinic around 2:30. Since then I've felt the Dexamethasone and Benadryl doing their thing. The steroid gave me a bit of energy and some appetite. The Benadryl made me fuzzy around the edges and put me to sleep for a bit this afternoon. When I got chemo 6 years ago, I had these same drugs to deal with side effects. If I gave in and let Benadryl put me to sleep, the steroid would do it's thing and would keep me awake for a bit at night. We'll see what happens.

I may have spent a long time at the clinic today, but it went quickly. I had good chats with two people in the chair beside me. I also had a great book and my knitted hug blanket. The blanket got a lot of complements and people liked the story of how it was created.

I have no plans for tomorrow. Our fifth wheel is getting washed and the roof will be sealed. My book will get read.
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What a great description of your treatment. It is really useful for others to try t o understand what you (and others) do when navigating the health care system.

Giving thanks for research and nurses. They truly are th ebackbone of hospital care!!!!!!!
 
Eco was fine ... Pharms I was placed on not OK ... but who placed me on those Pharms? More mysteries because no one holds the onus ... thus it drips ...
 
I hope you find answers Luce. I find not knowing, having a "no" for no good reason, or waiting longer than expected trigger anxiety for me. I'm very thankful they for me going on this one quickly. It ia a bit disconcerting too because they are working to outrun the cancer. Thankfully they've done a good job so far.

I feel not bad today. Just fuzzy around the edges. Hubby left to walk with friends at our summer park. I might have joined him but it was too early, I wouldn't be walking so didn't want to hang out. So aw shucks, I get some alone time. :)
 
Alone time can be a good thing. One of the downsides of a trip like the one I am leaving on tomorrow is that it is pretty much 24x7 with other people. Sometimes just Mrs. M, other times tour groups. At least on cruises I can sometimes sneak off and find a quiet spot somewhere on deck.
 
I'm also in a not knowing from my recent heart rate issue and I may never know root cause.
It is something that happens to people, out of the blue, fitness, weight, lifestyle do not seem to be primary cause. who knows.
The meds that reduce risk are part of my ritual now. Some are designed to moderate my heart rate. Some are designed to minimize clotting in the heart.
All have side effects, but, my expectation is that some root cause is identified, they will be with me from now on.

We shall see.
 
Good morning! Happy Thursday! We think about alone time today, as some have mentioned it. Is it good or bad for you? Is there a difference between loneliness and solitude? How do you handle your times by yourself? Something to contemplate as we gather round the Coffee Cart over coffee, tea, and a lovely apple crisp that the Bakery has created for us this morning. I think there's some vanilla ice cream in the freezer, if anyone wants it. The tea water is boiling, coffee is ready, and the crisp is wonderfully warm. All is ready, and all are welcome. Come join the conversations!

C(_)/ c(_) c\_/ c[_]
 
JayneWonders said:
I'm also in a not knowing from my recent heart rate issue and I may never know root cause.
It is something that happens to people, out of the blue, fitness, weight, lifestyle do not seem to be primary cause. who knows.
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Not knowing is tough. I hope you find answers, or more importantly, solutions. Hugs to you.
 
I felt not bad yesterday. Having a low key day certainly helped. I went to get my regular infusion that helps my bones. Fortunately I've found a shorter path to the place where I get the infusion. That was far enough. If you go in the main hospital entrance you have to cross the lobby to the stairs or elevator, go down to the next floor, around corners, past the cafeteria, to another set of stairs or elevator, down another floor to the room. Repeat going up and out. There's another entrance where you walk a short distance to the elevator down to the room. Much better, especially when tired.

I slept like the dead last night. A few tasks may get done today.
 
JayneWonders said:
I'm also in a not knowing from my recent heart rate issue and I may never know root cause.
It is something that happens to people, out of the blue, fitness, weight, lifestyle do not seem to be primary cause. who knows.
The meds that reduce risk are part of my ritual now. Some are designed to moderate my heart rate. Some are designed to minimize clotting in the heart.
All have side effects, but, my expectation is that some root cause is identified, they will be with me from now on.

We shall see.
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Something of unknown cause is a bit of a challenge. Our bodies are astoundingly complex. Actually I am impressed that the doctors get the correct diagnosis as often as they do.
 
Sometimes loneliness is a state of mind. A choice of sorts. It can be hard to move out of it. We can though, make choices to challenge it, even those can be tough to make. Or do.
 
Northwind said:
I felt not bad yesterday. Having a low key day certainly helped. I went to get my regular infusion that helps my bones. Fortunately I've found a shorter path to the place where I get the infusion. That was far enough. If you go in the main hospital entrance you have to cross the lobby to the stairs or elevator, go down to the next floor, around corners, past the cafeteria, to another set of stairs or elevator, down another floor to the room. Repeat going up and out. There's another entrance where you walk a short distance to the elevator down to the room. Much better, especially when tired.

I slept like the dead last night. A few tasks may get done today.
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Northwind, would a porter help, or you would rather walk it yourself? Just pondering saving energy for the things that are fun, and not consuming for the things you must do
 
I like my solitude. When I have been lonely, it is most often when I am in a large group of people who know each other, but, I do not know them. It takes energy to integrate into the circles.


I went to the Grandmother's Tea at Five Oaks, and it was a large gathering of grandmother's from 6 nations and others. I am thankful for the leadership and the wisdom shared.

It is a gift to be with these women, sharing our food, and listening to the wisdom offered.

Prior to that I participated in the Strawberry Thanksgiving and Communion with an interesting presentation on the Spiritual Convenant: A spiritual covenant with Churches and First Nations
 
JayneWonders said:
Northwind, would a porter help, or you would rather walk it yourself? Just pondering saving energy for the things that are fun, and not consuming for the things you must do
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I don't mind the walk. The shorter version is good. The longer version is a trek because of the levels. They've brightened up one corner near the cafeteria with bright colours and probably better lights so it's pleasant. Hubby drove me so if I'd had to go the long way, we could have gotten one of Tha chairs they have and he could take me. I didn't need that. And, I do need to walk.
 
I am a valuer of solitude ... but I like to come out of that place at my own choice not some asinine power ... powers despise such freedom as they fear losing control (avarice)?

Think of the salvors and salvation types that can't even think on their own ...
 
Good morning! How is everyone this Friday morning? Discussions of solitude and loneliness, waiting to find out the root of medical concerns, finding a shorter way through a large hospital, and all the other things that come to mind join us as we gather round the Coffee Cart. for shat, connection, support, and community. With our tea and coffee today, we have butter tarts (some with, some without raisins) to enjoy. All is ready, all are welcome. Come in and share in the conversations, and enjoy the company!

C(_)/ c(_) c\_/ c[_]
 
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