I wonder if sharing the following would be a case of too much information. But I surmise that most of you already know that my mother has lung CA, so what the heck. Also, my mom has sent this to everybody in her address book. So I thought she wanted it shared.
The following is her recent email to family and friends:
Hello, family!
Instead of a text message, I am sending an email this time. No additional cost; I can say all I want in a single message; pwede ko pa ipadala abroad… High tech na talaga tayo ngayon!
Would you believe —
- it has been two years and four months since I was diagnosed?
- it has been exactly two years since I finished my six cycles of chemo?
- it has been twenty-two months since I started on my oral medication (Erlotinib)?
- none of my other vital organs are compromised and the tumors have just remained in my lungs?
- i am still up and about???
For all these blessings, thanks be to God! And thank you again for all your prayers and other kinds of support!
As I mentioned in my last update (via text) a month ago, my July 8 scan showed another increase in size and number in the nodules in both lungs. The previous two scans showed “slight increase” but I guess the “increases” have accumulated such that it can be said that my disease has “progressed” (read, worsened) though not in an alarming degree.
Sa totoo lang, I feel almost the same as in previous months but the major development is I have developed a dry cough which has persisted for more than a month now, despite the cough syrup prescribed by my pulmonologist. Of course, it has affected my breathing, my talking and my singing!
So, I am now on another chapter in my fight. My onco has increased the dosage of my oral medication starting last month but the general sentiment is that I should undergo another series of chemotherapy. The entire family has discussed it and are all for it. My pulmonologist is strongly suggesting it and my onco is also Ok with it. Of course, as she told me when Bogs and I saw her last week, the decision is ultimately mine. No one can force me to go through it again.
I have said YES for several reasons —
- Finally, I will have a rest from my oral med which has wreaked havoc on my skin! I expect to get rid of my rashes, itchiness, dry skin, sores in my toes and fingers, dry eyes/nose/ears. My onco told me to stop taking this medication at least 2 weeks before my first chemo session.
- I have reacted favorably to my first six cycles of chemo. The main tumor shrunk and most of the small nodules were wiped out, remember?
- The side effects of the new chemo agent (ALIMTA is the name, manufactured by Eli Lilly) are not so bad. I have confirmed this with someone who had used it already. No vomiting, no loss of hair, no nausea.
- Of course, Bogs is willing to finance the whole thing. Di biro ang cost ng Alimta but he has been a major proponent of it. Dumarating naman daw ang pera pag kailangan, e…
- I still want to see my forthcoming fourth apo!
I have gotten in touch with the local source of Alimta. I am just waiting for the launching of their 100/mg vial which should happen the latter part of August. You see, their current packaging is 500mg and since I would be needing only 800mg, the 200 excess (if I buy 2 vials) will be wasted. With the 100mg vials, I can have the exact dosage; lower cost, too.
I will schedule my first cycle on the first week of September. That’s it! We shall keep on praying again that this new drug will benefit more than it will harm me. Of course, we pray for the max — total healing. We never can tell – baka makulitan na si Lord sa atin…
By the way, I am also planning to have a “port” placed near my chest. It’s a small contraption connected to a large vein which can be used for chemo and other fluids administered intravenously. Another expense na naman yun kaya lang it might serve well in the long run. Less stress everytime I need an IV line. E, ang hirap pa naman ng mga ugat ko — maninipis at hindi straight. Mahal lang ang procedure kasi kelangan ng cardiovascular surgeon (and anaesthesoliogist, too) at gagawin sa OR.
That’s it, folks… Will keep you posted…
I’ve always believed that a major reason why my mother is still with us today, after 2 years of living with Stage 4 cancer, is that our family and friends have been with us all the way. The support has been overwhelming; the love, outpouring; and the payers, flooding. Yes, the prayers might have as well flooded the heavens. Our family can be makulit, and the prayer rallies never cease. Yes, it helped that my mother was able to get some great medication and treatments. But in my heart, I believe that it is love that has kept her going…love for my father, love for us her children (and children-in-law), love for her apos, love for her family, love for her friends. Yes, as Harry Potter puts it, it has always been love.
And it is also our love for our mother that keep us supporting her all the way. I’ve seen the power of love and prayer firsthand through our friends and family, and that, my friends, has made a lot of difference.
As my mother’s pulmonologist, a devout Catholic, said, “Think positive! The medicine can only do as much. It is up to God to make it work.” And that’s what we’re praying for.
In the end, we will all keep on fighting the big C with her!
