Sorry to keep you waiting on my choice of chemo drugs, but I've been lazy about blogging lately. I'm on a chemo vacation while I get ready for the next treatment. So, I've been squeezing in all kinds of things. I went to the movies four times in the past week-plus.
And now the moment you've all been waiting for. Drumroll, please. tatatatatatatata... I chose to go with the clinical trial. Here is my thought process: The other choice was a treatment I was on right after my surgeries. That kept the cancer from coming back while I was on it. But I didn't have any signs of cancer then. So, I'm not 100% sure it would shrink the tumors I have now. Also, the clinical trial is said to have a lot less side effects. Why not give myself a chance to see if it works? Because if it does, I could take it for a long time and feel normal. Live normal. Be normal. That's all I really want, anyway, when you come down to it.
What does the clinical trial entail? Well, every week I have to eat all green sprouts and bamboo chips and bathe in algae-filled water. Wait, wait, wait...that's not right. Ugh, I thought I was looking at the paperwork for the study, but it was a pamphlet on how to take care of your pet panda. Where did I pick up that literature? Chemo brain...I don't recall.
Okay, here is the study's paperwork. For one week, I will take two drugs. Then I don't take anything for the next three weeks. One drug is a chemo that is proven on brain cancer and melanoma. The other is the experimental drug. That is called a PARP inhibitor. PARP is the ability for a cell to repair itself when it's damaged at the DNA level. The theory is that the chemo will work better if the cancer cells can't repair themselves. We shall see.
I'm hopeful, worried, anxious, excited. Let's just start already. D-Day is 23 November. Here is the fun part. I have to take the pills twice a day and I can't eat or drink for two hours prior and one hour post. That is six hours a day I cannot eat or drink. For a guy trying not to lose weight every day, that stinks. And Thanksgiving is during my first week of it! I'll have to set my alarm for 1am to wake up and eat turkey and filling (It's called filling in central PA. Basically, it's bread stuffing mixed with smashed potatoes. There. I like to keep my blog educational as well as sexy and scary.)
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6 comments:
Yawn- - - another blog about baby pandas and filling. Can't tell you how many times I've read about those things together. ;-)
Bummer about the non-eating schedule but hopefully all the pills/drugs do their job.
Btw, in central, Central PA (or VA when I make it) filling doesn't have potatoes in it -- haven't heard of that twist before.
Also, remind me to give you the colondar $ today.
Go Shawn! I think you made a good decision. You'll have to chow down between now and 11/23. Take care... Sara
Hi Shawn,
I just came across your blog and love it! I've added you to my blog roll and look forward to future posts. You are the first person I know that has chosen a clinical trial and I'll be pulling for your success.
Tamara
Shawn, this entry was so sexy...thank you.
Okay, I was reading your Panda care instructions and thinking that algae and greens sprouts actually are a PLUS, do it.
out here in AZ we call it stuffing - bread, onions, celery, butter, parsley, sage, rosemary & time (yes, i know, isn't this the lyrics to scarborough fair, yep). mash potatoes, although may eventually end up "smashed" in while mixing on your dinner plate, are actually an entirely separate side dish. edumicated! east coasters, you have it all wrong, lol.
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