The One with Radiation and Oral Chemo

Happy April "Make it Count for Cort" Readers! The past month has been a tad slower and I seem to be getting into a routine with the immunotherapy, steroids for my adrenal insufficiency, and the new chemo pill I started. I have a few things to share so let's first start with radiation.

I met with my radiation oncologist and he showed me the tumor in my hip and also found a small fracture. The tumor caused the fracture and that is why I was having such intense pain. He decided to do 5 higher-dose radiation sessions instead of the 10 I did on my arm. I got through radiation seamlessly! I also did not have any skin burns this time. The office I go to is wonderful and I love all the people there. It made it so easy to go to these appointments. They are just a wonderful group of humans! I completed my radiation on March 25th and I am happy to say I am now pain-free!!!

I began my oral chemo on March 11th and paused while I completed radiation. I restarted the oral chemo on March 26th. I was doing very well with it at first! The side effects were minimal and I was so pleased. The excitement was short-lived. I began having terrible nausea, acid reflux, sore mouth, metallic taste, no appetite, and vomiting. I haven't been able to do much the last few weeks because of how bad I have been feeling. I am hoping that my body will adjust to the meds and that side effects will diminish over time. Fingers crossed!

I completed an immunotherapy infusion last week. I am doing well with those now. I am on a schedule to complete them every 3 weeks. They also added in a bone-strengthening drug infusion to help prevent any more fractures. I have gotten the infusion routine down to a science. I will be doing a scan of my abdomen in mid-May to see if the oral chemo and immunotherapy combination have made any difference in my liver tumors. Here's hoping for a decrease in size! We are manifesting shrinkage of this disease!

Now for some truth. I have been really down lately because I have been feeling miserable. I haven't been able to enjoy the company of friends, prepare many meals, or do much of anything b/c of intense nausea, vomiting and acid reflux. I have been doing better with eating the past couple of days. The only way to describe the taste in my mouth is like this: imagine a rusty can full of rainwater and you drink that water. It is disgusting. I am hoping it is short-lived and I can get used to it. The last thing the world needs is a hangry Cortney!

Wishing, hoping and praying for my May scan to show no disease progression! I also hope you all are experiencing warmer weather and looking forward to those upcoming summer vacations! (Shameless plug - please don't forget I am also a travel agent!)

Until next time!!

Love,

Cort