I should have just called this one The One With a Little of Everything. Boy, where shall I begin? When I received my 2nd dose of immunotherapy on 2/4, I was still coughing from the respiratory infection that went through our house. I was having terrible pain in my chest when I coughed. While I was in the office they performed a Chest X-Ray but it was clear. They prescribed cough syrup (the good stuff!) and I kept trucking along. I was doing really well with my immunotherapy treatment and my bloodwork was all coming back very good. After the chest pain did not go away the oncologist decided to order a Chest CT. The results came back with good news and bad news. The good news was no tumors or blood clots, just THREE broken ribs. HAHAHAHA! Yes, I coughed so hard I broke my ribs. Honestly, who is surprised? There is nothing they can do but to just let them heal. After 5 weeks I am finally almost pain-free!
To test to see if my adrenal gland was producing any cortisol (compliments of Infusion 1) I had to go to the infusion center for ACTH testing. Long story short, they pump you with a drug and take your blood every 30 & 60 minutes to see how much cortisol your body produces. I was nearing the end of the procedure and the fire alarm in the hospital went off. They had to evacuate everyone. I was almost finished so they were hurrying to pull blood, remove IV, and discharge me so I didn't have to come back up. (FYI it was a burnt bagel) Only me! I did go back later for my follow-up and my cortisol level was undetectable, which means my adrenal gland is fried and I am now on steroids to replace my cortisol. Fun!!
On February 24th I was scheduled for another infusion. Since my body cooperated with the single drug on 2/4 we decided to use that drug again and then perform a PET scan to see how things are progressing. Again, everything went smoothly and I am scheduled for another infusion on March 18th.
Unfortunately on March 5th Nick's mother passed away. She had long been suffering from dementia but it was quite sudden and unexpected. We had a beautiful service and final goodbye for her yesterday, March 10th. She is now back with her beloved husband and mother.
We received the results from my PET scan and they were not what we were hoping for. The spot in my arm that was radiated has gotten smaller, so great news! The three spots in my liver have grown and there is a new spot in my left hip. For the past couple of weeks I have been having pain in my hip, but I thought it was because I have been overcompensating since my socket isn't fitting right due to the steroids. I spoke with my team today and we are going to radiate my hip since we had good results on my arm. We are also starting the chemo pill (which has been part of the plan we just didn't know when we were going to start it). I took my first dose today! I will also continue with an increased dose of the one drug infusion so I will still have an infusion on 3/18. Nick and I are looking forward to this new plan! So please say prayers for little to no side effects and that it starts kicking these tumors' asses!!
This past weekend we threw a FRIENDS-themed birthday celebration. I wanted to cancel after we lost Nick's mother but he did not want that and his mom wouldn't want that either. It was exactly the evening that we needed. All the guests understood the assignment and dressed as characters from the show! We had the Gellar Bowl Trophy to hand out to the best costumes. The MOST incredible cake I have ever laid my eyes on and tasted (Thank you Zee). We had Joey Meatball subs, Joey Special (pizza), Monica's Lasagna, Joey's fried stuff with cheese, Monica's Righteous Mac & Cheese, Phoebe's Hummus, Nestle' Toulouse cookies and Jell-O Shots from Chandler's B-Day Party. The decorations were out of this world! (Thank you Lynn) It was just incredible. Nick was out of town until right before the party so I had an incredible girl gang that stepped up for me like always! (Thank you Kelly, Amy, Stephanie, Maggie, Tara, Christy, Whitney!)
Although the news was not what we wanted and we have had some other difficult things happen, my spirit is not broken. I have hard days but I also have days where I laugh my ass off and just go with the flow. I am not even close to giving up, so don't you give up on me either. Pray, hope, wish, etc. for me and Nick and Jackson. 2025 has been a stinker thus far....but it is gonna get better!!!!! Thank you to all of those who continue to show up for me and show up for Nick and J. We see you, we depend on you, and we love you.
Don't forget...Make It Count For Cort
Love,
Cort
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