9-11-2022 Update

The crummy feeling Lauren has been going through for the past few weeks is still here, even with the previous week Dr. Vandermolen insisted Lauren skipping.  From this point on, the fatigue and the daily vomiting, we think, will be the norm for the next three sessions.  Dr. Vandermolen hinted that the vomiting and the increased fatigue Lauren is experiencing has finally caught up with her.  Damnit.

 

Basically, the meds are compounding after all this time and Lauren’s body is just over it.  It was described as ‘here, hold this one plate, oh but wait, now hold these other 15 plates’, and then see how you manage.  That’s basically what is happening, the meds are just stacking up inside Lauren’s body.  The fatigue comes in waves, Lauren naps throughout the day and her energy to be able to do her reduced workouts has even been harder.  On a good day she’ll be up for putting laundry away, emptying the dishwasher and making our bed.   It’s been lots of Netflix, reading and coloring these days with small walks around our block to get some fresh air.

 

After leaving Keck Medicine last week, Lauren and I were ecstatic to have a week off from treatment thinking we could hopefully have a week with a slight sense of normalcy, eating what we wanted, drinking what we wanted, and getting out and doing a few things a normal human being would be able to do.  Boy were we in for an unpleasant surprise.  All the nasty symptoms Lauren has been experiencing did not subside from her week off chemo.  Her bowels continued to not cooperate despite the lack of chemo medicine that can inhibit the movement of “things”, which is one of Lauren’s biggest gripes since starting treatment.  I can’t say I’ve experienced constipation but seeing Lauren struggle physically and emotionally with it is painful to observe.

 

Lauren’s last post mentioned that vomiting has been a new thing that she just can’t seem to shake.  It’s not that she’s feeling nauseas when she vomits, it’s just her stomach isn’t agreeing with something, we just don’t know.  We have adjusted Lauren’s diet umpteenth times trying to figure out what works, and what doesn’t.  At first, we assumed it was foods that were considered acidic, but even with the basics, chicken broth and white rice, there was no rhyme or reason for the vomiting.  For the entire week, it was a constant worry as to when things were going to come up.

 

The Friday evening before last, the fatigue and the inability to keep food down led me to call the on-call doctor at around 10 PM in the evening.  I spoke to the doctor explaining the symptoms Lauren was experiencing and what the hell can we do to make Lauren more comfortable.  The doctor gave me three choices, 1) He would call in a prescription for nausea, 2) Wait until Monday for a hydration infusion, 3) Head to the nearest ER as the doctor was concerned with a blockage in her bowels.  The following morning, Lauren’s mom took Lauren to the emergency room at Los Alamitos Medical Center.  The ER doctors felt rather confident that there wasn’t a blockage but went ahead and gave Lauren some meds and hydration via IV.

 

Now, to this past week.  Infusion has resumed.  We met with Dr. Vandermolen on Tuesday prior to the infusion treatment.  We explained to him all the issues Lauren had dealt with the week before, and unfortunately, it is all too common for people to have the same symptoms who are on the final few sessions of chemotherapy.  Dr. Vandermolen assured us that this is normal, the additional trips to Keck and/or Hoag for hydration, the additional doctors’ visits – it’s becoming almost a daily part of our schedule.

 

Lauren was able to complete treatment #13 on Tuesday, which leaves us with 3 treatments to go.  As much as it is a relief, it also can’t come fast enough.  Tuesday went like normal but because the tough weeks Lauren has had, Dr. Vandermolen wanted her back Thursday and Friday for hydration and anti-nausea meds via IV.  On top of that after hearing that Lauren was still vomiting, they signed her up for hydration on Sunday as well.  So, 4 trips to the doctors this past week.  The doctor gave Lauren a new medicine to try and help with the nausea, it’s something they give for patients who are bi-polar.  Well, Lauren won’t be taking that again.  She took it Friday night, woke up around 1am to go to the restroom and was pretty sure each leg weighed about 75lbs and was worried she might fall down our stairs.  When she woke up on Saturday morning, she was basically a zombie all day – needless to say, this drug works for people who may be bi-polar and helped with the nausea, but it’s not something Lauren will be taking again, she’d rather vomit than go through those side effects again.

 

On top of that this coming week is probably going to be somewhat the same, but who knows.  Tomorrow, we meet with Dr. Vandermolen for a checkup, Tuesday is infusion #14 and then on Wednesday we meet with Dr. Guerra (the Breast Surgeon) to get Lauren’s surgery set up.  It’s nice to have this appointment finally here as it’s one step closer to being done with chemotherapy.  Who knows if any other visits will be needed this week, but we stay on our toes depending on what Lauren’s blood work shows and what the nurses and doctor want to do about her nausea and vomiting. 

 

We’ll update again soon, but for now, just trying to work through all the side effects.  I am so grateful I took this time off from work because I just can’t imagine being at the office and Lauren calling me because she isn’t feeling well or has just thrown up and no one is there to rub her back or give her fluids after and get her to calm down.  Thanks for all the check-ins, we are getting close but it’s not over yet.

Love,

Chris