This week has been a whirlwind. It has been challenging on two fronts. First, I was suppose to get my 2nd round of Avastin this week. Avastin is the medication, similar to chemo, which I am taking every three weeks to stop the five spots of cancer we have found in my body from growing and to stop any new spots from developing. On Monday I went in for my blood and urine draws to send to the lab. On Tuesday I received a phone call that I was good to go on Wednesday and could get my Avastin. Great news! Anticipated news! There are conditions which can lead to me not getting Avastin, such as my blood pressure going too high or the protein in my urine being too high, and I'm sure a host of other reasons that I don't even know about. On Wednesday I received a call from the nurse canceling my Avastin and asking that I call her back for more information. It ends up, the protein in my urine is too high and I can't get my 2nd treatment as scheduled. Talk about scary! This medication is suppose to be what is stopping my cancer from growing. If I can't get the medicine, what is stopping my cancer from growing? Now, I have to do a 24 hour urine catch and they have to do another test to determine if I can get back on course with my Avastin. More waiting.
Secondly, this weekend is an event I have been waiting to come for months: Cervivor School. Cervivor School is a fantastic event where cervical cancer survivors get together with a purpose. Cervivor is an organization which focuses on advocacy and education for cervical cancer. I have been looking forward to this for months. When I got home from work Wednesday it seemed like the world was crashing in around me. I had just found out no Avastin. I am having swelling in my abdomen which my nurse suggested could potentially be a bowel obstruction and gave me instructions for what to look for and what signs meant and immediate trip to the ER, no matter where I am (thankfully I don't have any additional symptoms).. Then, at 7:00 when my family got home I took my temperature and it was at 102.8! What? This can't be happening, is exactly how I felt. I know if I went to the ER it is a five day stay, it is always a five day stay. I quickly got my oncologist on the phone and explained the situation, his response, don't get on the plane. I told him I wanted to try and break the fever with ibuprofen and talk to my husband. Fast forward to 2:00 am, seven hours after I took my ibuprofen, and my fever was still not back. I called the oncologist and he agreed I could go on my trip. He said "maybe the fever was a fluke since it hasn't returned". I am having a fabulous, educational, and empowering time here at Cervivor School. Unfortunately my fever does spike everyday. it is being managed with ibuprofen but I fear a hospital trip may be in my future when I land back in Indianapolis on Sunday.
Secondly, this weekend is an event I have been waiting to come for months: Cervivor School. Cervivor School is a fantastic event where cervical cancer survivors get together with a purpose. Cervivor is an organization which focuses on advocacy and education for cervical cancer. I have been looking forward to this for months. When I got home from work Wednesday it seemed like the world was crashing in around me. I had just found out no Avastin. I am having swelling in my abdomen which my nurse suggested could potentially be a bowel obstruction and gave me instructions for what to look for and what signs meant and immediate trip to the ER, no matter where I am (thankfully I don't have any additional symptoms).. Then, at 7:00 when my family got home I took my temperature and it was at 102.8! What? This can't be happening, is exactly how I felt. I know if I went to the ER it is a five day stay, it is always a five day stay. I quickly got my oncologist on the phone and explained the situation, his response, don't get on the plane. I told him I wanted to try and break the fever with ibuprofen and talk to my husband. Fast forward to 2:00 am, seven hours after I took my ibuprofen, and my fever was still not back. I called the oncologist and he agreed I could go on my trip. He said "maybe the fever was a fluke since it hasn't returned". I am having a fabulous, educational, and empowering time here at Cervivor School. Unfortunately my fever does spike everyday. it is being managed with ibuprofen but I fear a hospital trip may be in my future when I land back in Indianapolis on Sunday.
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