Let the trial begin

I went in for bloodwork and an ECG yesterday (EKG is the European term -- and obviously what most places other than MSKCC use). According to my lab results on the website, my counts are all good and my cholesterol is down to 237. It's definitely not from better eating habits, so it must be from being off the Gemzar. Anyway, I'm scheduled to begin the trial next Tuesday morning, the 15th. The treatment takes three hours in total -- one hour for the first drug, then a one hour wait, then 30 minutes for the second drug, plus pre-treatment bloodwork and pre- and post-treatment medications for nausea and the like. I'll have this schedule every Tuesday for six weeks, and then they will scan me. Let's keep our fingers crossed for zero side effects and excellent results.

I also met briefly with Dr. K, who told me that she would put me on Ifosamide if the trial didn't work for me. My immediate reaction was "no," but I didn't want to get into it then because it was late in the day and this trial is going to work. However, she and I will have to have a chat at some point, because I cannot see a reason to get on that drug. Ifosamide is given by IV over three to four days every three weeks. While it can be infused on an outpatient basis using a home health service, it is usually given in the hospital. I don't understand why she doesn't consider my lifestyle -- such as the fact that I still have a fulltime job -- when she "decides" on a treatment. I also think she is being overly aggressive at this point, and that there are other treatments available to me that I would prefer to try first. I plan to discuss this with my NJ oncologist, and I have asked other LMS patients for their opinions on this matter. I'll post back with what I find out.

I'm looking forward to working from home the next two days. In between my work, I hope to get started on some baking and wrapping. Since there is still a treadmill sitting where the tree belongs, I don't think I'll be getting to that this weekend, but I won't count it out. Maybe the person who bought it will actually come and get it in a timely manner!

Here's to no 4 a.m. alarm for the rest of the week!