No News (is Good News)

I've started getting messages from folks wondering how I'm doing, which probably means it's been too long since I've updated everyone on how my treatments are going. I guess I kept waiting for something eventful to happen so I could report back, but this latest treatment is actually a treat compared to my previous chemos.

After the first round of Adcetris I did have quite a few headaches, but they weren't migraines and could be kept under control with Tylenol. Thank goodness for that, since acetaminophen is the strongest pain killer I'm allowed to take. A few other minor side effects proved to be minor annoyances, but everything has been very manageable. The most significant difference I've noticed is that my body is tired, so when I go to bed I'm liable to sleep for 10-12 hours some days. While I'm awake though, I don't feel overly fatigued. All in all, I'd much rather go through an Adcetris treatment than have the flu or a stomach virus. (Though I'd trade my upcoming transplant for either!)

With treatments only happening every 3 weeks I've had plenty of time to rest between each round. I've been trying to balance my eating between indulgence (ex. the mexican fire chips I brought home from Cancun, UDF ice cream, and Cincinnati treats) and healthy choices (ex. broccoli, green tea, fruits) but I suspect indulgence is winning out. Cincinnati is just too delicious.

Home-brewed loose leaf tea isn't bad, but it also isn't Penn Station, Skyline, or Izzy's.

My doctor told me that while I shouldn't drink alcohol for the most part, with this treatment I could have an occasional drink if it was for a celebration or a special occasion. I had one margarita in Cancun and I'm planning on toasting my upcoming 31st birthday with friends.

I'm still not sure if I'll lose my hair with this treatment or not. In the only study that's been done on the drug (sample size = 100 patients) only 13% experienced allopecia (hair loss). With chemos the drug doesn't make your hair fall out immediately, it takes several weeks. Since I've only had 2 treatments, the jury is still out on whether I'll be sporting my hats again soon. I hope to figure it out before too long though. If it's not going to fall out I'm in desperate need of a haircut, but no sense spending that money if it's going to shorten up on its own!

For Valentine's Day this year I'll have my third date with Adcetris. We'll wait a couple of weeks after that treatment (for the medicine to kick some cancer arse) and then get another PET scan (to see if Adcetris and I are working out or if I'm just getting the run around). Depending on the results of that scan I'll either (a) get ready for transplant (b) continue my dates with Adcetris or (c) have to break it off with Adcetris and start seeing a new chemo drug. While Adcetris might not bring me flowers or chocolates, it's also not brought me any nausea or mouth sores, so I'm hoping options a or b work out.