Off Again, On Again, Off Again

Pat and I placed a friendly wager on whether or not I would get my treatment today. He said no, I said I could talk Dr. Lange into it. He won - guess I’m cooking dinner tonight. I actually felt better today than earlier this week, but the rash is looking a little red and I am feeling a little worn out and wasn’t able to pull off the “I feel great, this little rash is nothing…” approach that I was going for. The nurses caught on quickly and I never even got to see Dr. Lange – the relayed my symptoms to him and the decision to hold off for a week was made sight unseen.

I’m a little disappointed because I had figured out some travel based on actually completing this round in 8 weeks, but we’ll work out something so that I can comfortably get on a plane. The diarrhea has slowly been increasing and we all think that I have developed a tolerance to the dose of Sandostatin that I am currently taking. We’ve decided to stay at this dose for the time being however, and increase it when I get the next Erbitux infusion – to be able to really test to see if it is having any effect. In the meantime I’ll spend the next week coating myself in antibiotic ointment and moisturizer, trying not to scratch, and keeping as much skin as possible uncovered. The good news is that the rash hasn’t developed in any new areas this time – it’s sticking with the tried and true favorites of my back, chest, face, scalp, and of course my left eye. Grateful for small mercies, my eyelashes have begun to grow back.

We had a whirlwind couple of weeks – lots of company and lots going on. We got to spend some time with Tom and Ines, and their almost 2 year old daughter who also happens to be our beautiful, rambunctious goddaughter Iliana. We went to the zoo, rode the Swan Boats, met the ducklings (Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack), introduced them (Tom, Ines and Iliana, not the ducklings) to our favorite Mexican Restaurant (Tu Y Yo), visited the MFA, the fountain in Post Office Square, and Faneuil Hall. Whew…Let’s just say we were all asleep by 9 every night. But it was wonderful to see everyone and spend all of this time together. Pat and I are both ready for a weekend of no plans, which is exactly what is on tap for this weekend.