Trying Gemzar

​Hello friends,

Peace. It’s been a nerve-wracking two weeks. My oncologist will allow me to try Gemzar at a reduced dose. I’ll be receiving bevacizumab during some of the treatment cycles. I pray I get through just one and see a big drop in my CA125.

I’m disappointed that my voice regarding PARP inhibitors was ignored.  My bone marrow is very weak, but praise God there is no sign of MDS or chemo-induced leukemia. If they would have listened and tried Gemzar last February I would have had a stronger bone marrow. If they wouldn’t have MISSED my recurrence we could have attacked my recurrence in 2021. Getting unstuck from the traumas has been hard, but progress is being made.....just in small doses. I need to keep my eyes on God (this last sentence added after confession Sunday before Mass.)

I had a melt-down yesterday because I’m already overwhelmed with too many appointments, a surprise appointment yesterday and realizing I can’t work and do these treatments.  I don’t know how this will work.

I’m receiving EMDR treatments, just getting started. Yesterday I was receiving EMDR while processing the trauma of my mom’s death in 2013.  There was not only trauma from her sudden loss but of course family stuff. It’s common, I think, for families to have differences when a central figure dies. All these things together are overwhelming. I wish healthcare providers better understood PTSD. The entire healthcare system is in a state of trauma.  It’s very sad.  

There are rays of sunshine that peak through the clouds but it’s not looking good right now.

The elephant in the room is my life and I’m trying to sustain myself as I attempt Gemzar.  The only other time I received Gemzar I ended up very sick in the hospital, and required a platelet transfusion.

I will be so happy if it works. But if I end up in the hospital without a significant drop in my CA125 we may need to stop. I don’t know.

I start Gemzar next week.  

Peace,

Denise