Hello, it's been a while.

Starting the 2nd round of chemo proved to be quite difficult.  I received treatment on Wednesday last week.  I was given two drugs, carboplatin and gemzar, along with an anti-nausea medication and a steroid.  The remainder of the day was okay.  Thursday, however, was not okay.  I was hit with the total body "flu-like" symptoms and crazy fatigue.  I was on the couch most of the day.  I did experience some "break through nausea" which I have pills for should it happen.  It happened a few times.  It's interesting how willing I can be to take prescriptions.  Just a year ago, it would not enter my healing realm.  Times have surely changed!  Friday, was not much better.  Even though the flu-like symptoms subsided, I started to have intense back pain--mostly lower.  Though, occasionally my whole back would hurt sending pain into my shoulder and neck.  I am not sure if I tweaked my back picking up Miko or doing some other activity.  It's also possible that the chemo caused the pain.  We don't really know where the "blame" should be placed.  I was also thinking it could have been pain from lying down all day Thursday.  Sometimes inactivity, when it's not your norm, can wreak havoc on the body.  I've never been one for resting.  So, now we'll jump to this week.  Today, I received the 2nd infusion of round two.  Only one drug administered today--gemzar.  It is the "lesser of two evils" and with fewer side effects.  I feel good right now with the exception of a few body aches.  My spine is aching a bit in the area of the metastases.  I take this as the gemzar going in and causing a ruckus.  It's doing it's job!!!!  Hopefully, next week when we retest, we find this to be true and these drugs have been doing their job, shrinking tumors and stopping any further growth.  My biggest decision to make now is which course of action to take if these drugs are not working.  I think my oncologist is pulling for MDAnderson.  I'm leaning that way depending on the details of the trial and how risky it is.  My other leaning is towards a total submersion in the natural healing of body, mind and spirit.  Most likely, it will be a combination of the two.  I just don't know if I can do more chemo that may or may not work.  As long as my blood work continues to be good--or on the good side--then I am more likely to play with uncertainty.  As of now, my blood is still hanging in there.  Of course, the white blood cells and red blood cells are taxed, but they are barely out of the acceptable ranges.  Thank you for all you continued support.  Take care.  Kara