Journal entry by Judi Trampf —
Another quarter went by, with great news from here! I had my quarterly CT scan today, and the results are in, no metastasis (cancer spread) anywhere. (Whew) Great news for me. Things remain stable!
I saw my doctors yesterday, and I do have some weird raised bumpy rings around my mouth now. At the last visit the doctor attributed it to, “pumping me full of weird cancer drugs and not knowing all the side effects.” Not exactly comforting.
So this visit, the study doc and coordinator, who we both adore, came in to see what was happening. She thinks it’s likely some sort of autoimmune response from my thyroid caused by the immunotherapy drugs I’m getting. Then she laughed and said, “or like Dr. Spencer said, we’re pumping your full of weird cancer drugs and this could be a side effect.” We all agreed it’s not a major issue - it’s just slowing my career as a lipstick model. But my doctor decided to hold off on the intravenous immunotherapy drugs for a month to see if anything changes, and more importantly, so I could get a consult with a dermatologist who specializes in cancer side effects.
Oddly enough, one of those kinds of doctors happens to work in town, and I got a call to schedule with them while I was still sitting in the waiting room at the cancer center. That’s service! So I see them next week. As the study doc said, we need to document if is a side effect and at least figure out what these things are. Then together we’ll go on and decide if you want to keep taking the immunotherapy drugs. I told her since my lipstick modeling wasn’t going anywhere, I’d likely keep up with the study drugs, even if they spread more.
She was really interested to hear what we’ve been doing lately and what plans we have in the upcoming few months. She also said that she does ask other doctors to come in and see me, not just her. She said she wants all of the doctors to keep their enthusiasm for their research, and to realize just how much it’s helping some patients. Like me. 😊
I’m so fortunate to be living near a cancer research center and to have the amazing health care I’ve been getting. I still have trouble walking, but it seems like a small thing when compared to everything I have still been getting out and doing. It’s always humbling when I wipe out (like in the State Park Office when my foot hit the edge of the rug…just right or wrong and I hit their door…scaring the daylights out of them and me saying, “it’s fine, it’s fine - it happens from time to time, I just fall over!”), and a good reminder to just be thankful for all I have, and all I can continue do.
We’re looking forward to traveling to Nashville to see Katy’s family in this spring, celebrating my Mom’s 95th birthday and participating in the Madison Art Walk in May.
I saw my doctors yesterday, and I do have some weird raised bumpy rings around my mouth now. At the last visit the doctor attributed it to, “pumping me full of weird cancer drugs and not knowing all the side effects.” Not exactly comforting.
So this visit, the study doc and coordinator, who we both adore, came in to see what was happening. She thinks it’s likely some sort of autoimmune response from my thyroid caused by the immunotherapy drugs I’m getting. Then she laughed and said, “or like Dr. Spencer said, we’re pumping your full of weird cancer drugs and this could be a side effect.” We all agreed it’s not a major issue - it’s just slowing my career as a lipstick model. But my doctor decided to hold off on the intravenous immunotherapy drugs for a month to see if anything changes, and more importantly, so I could get a consult with a dermatologist who specializes in cancer side effects.
Oddly enough, one of those kinds of doctors happens to work in town, and I got a call to schedule with them while I was still sitting in the waiting room at the cancer center. That’s service! So I see them next week. As the study doc said, we need to document if is a side effect and at least figure out what these things are. Then together we’ll go on and decide if you want to keep taking the immunotherapy drugs. I told her since my lipstick modeling wasn’t going anywhere, I’d likely keep up with the study drugs, even if they spread more.
The doctor also said she’s glad that Katy and I accepted her invitation to tour the Gynecological Oncology Research Laboratories at their open house next month. They are inviting some of the patients who are involved in studies to hear about the advances that are happening and learn more about the work they are doing. She also said she really wants their people who do stories about successful research to contact Katy and me, because she can’t believe how well I’m doing with the treatment, and basically, that I’m still around. Yay me!
She was really interested to hear what we’ve been doing lately and what plans we have in the upcoming few months. She also said that she does ask other doctors to come in and see me, not just her. She said she wants all of the doctors to keep their enthusiasm for their research, and to realize just how much it’s helping some patients. Like me. 😊
I’m so fortunate to be living near a cancer research center and to have the amazing health care I’ve been getting. I still have trouble walking, but it seems like a small thing when compared to everything I have still been getting out and doing. It’s always humbling when I wipe out (like in the State Park Office when my foot hit the edge of the rug…just right or wrong and I hit their door…scaring the daylights out of them and me saying, “it’s fine, it’s fine - it happens from time to time, I just fall over!”), and a good reminder to just be thankful for all I have, and all I can continue do.
We’re looking forward to traveling to Nashville to see Katy’s family in this spring, celebrating my Mom’s 95th birthday and participating in the Madison Art Walk in May.
Lots to do, and here’s hoping this regime of drugs is the thing that keeps this cancer in check. It’s also humbling to know people in Gilda’s Club, and women who have my type of cancer, who are not getting the treatment I am and who are passing away. It gives us a great deal of perspective, and keeps us grateful for every day. Every. Single. Day.
Stay grateful for your days too. It’s just a better way to live!
We’ll chat again next quarter!
Stay grateful for your days too. It’s just a better way to live!
We’ll chat again next quarter!
As always, thanks for your support, care and good wishes.
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