Another dose of chemo

All good things come to an end. And so it was with our chemo holiday.  We were back at the Zangmeister Center for another infusion this week.  Unfortunately Johnny dealt with nausea a good portion of the week.  I’ve read about so many drugs to prevent or alleviate nausea,  I’ve searched WebMD, the National Cancer Institute, and Pub Med and a ton of peer reviewed articles, but so far nothing we have tried has worked.

A part of Johnny’s nausea is triggered by smells another is just the anticipation of the chemo infusion.  I’m also wondering if it could be from an allergy to the chemo itself that is making him sick.  We’ll be speaking with his treatment team again to see if there is another treatment they can recommend. Having cancer is bad enough Johnny shouldn’t be nauseated as well.

But now that it’s Friday and he’s had two hyperbaric treatments and two sessions in our infrared sauna he’s getting back to the Johnny we all know and love.  Just in time for a great weekend.

A good but cold week before heading back to chemo

Today is a wintery, blustery day.  It’s so hard to believe that on New Year’s Day Johnny and I took the dogs for a walk in the park and it was sunny and 50 degrees!  But that’s life in Central Ohio.

Anyway, we are now full-blown back into our medical routines.  On Wednesday, Johnny saw Dr. Lindsey-his surgeon.  Dr. Lindsey was very pleased with his progress and how proactive he is in taking care of himself.  He’ll follow up again in six months.  Sadly, next week ends our chemo holiday :(

On Thursday I had a visit with my surgeon, Dr. Slam.  She’s such a great ally.  She’s very willing to look at treatments and protocols that aren’t considered “traditional”. She’s always willing to experiment/listen within reason.  I too got the thumbs up, good report and don’t need to check in again for six months.

And I wanted to do a 3-bromopyruvate update since I haven’t mentioned it for awhile.  There is more and more clinical data behind using 3-BP.  It’s not a miracle drug, but it looks to be useful, in several cases.  The clinical trials are focused on which tumors respond to treatment and dosing protocols which are important in a very reactive compound such as 3-BP.  Unfortunately, the situation has been clouded by use of 3-BP in “cancer clinics” that cater to the desperate patients, so long as they have the cash.  And a clinic in Germany has had three patients suddenly die after receiving the compound.  Another clinical trial – one of the most promising apparently now has no funding to go forward.  Also, a lawsuit between Johns Hopkins and several people involved with competing patent applications are slowing things down.

Sadly, a potentially useful compound, not a cure, but real hope, is now in such a mess, thanks partly to its original proponents and partly to the alternative cancer cure folks, that it’s going to be harder than ever to find out what 3-BP can really do.

So we’re continuing with what has been working for us and adding on as we can:  Hyperbaric oxygen, ketogenic/very low carb diet, exercise, infrared sauna nightly, meditation, and good friends and family.   As we say goodbye to 2016 we want you to know we have nothing but love for you guys.  The support that we have received has been life affirming and incredible.  Thanks!

a great start to the New Year