Another year has passed. Two oral chemo drugs have now been administered. Zytiga was the first. Worked very well, and still does, however it raised his liver enzymes to toxic levels and had to be stopped. The next one is called Xtandi. Worked fabulously for over a year, and Miller was a new man once again. PSA low, and general well-being just awesome. I admire so much Miller's positive attitude. I am certain that this is half of the reason he is doing so well.
Along with these drugs, I have been making Marijuana oil for him to consume orally. He has taken this for a few years now. It is expensive, about $1200 a month. One thing purported by its users, and found to be true in Miller's experience, is that it keeps the cancer from spreading to the soft tissue. Organs like liver, pancreas, lungs and the like. And up to now, it has shown to be effective in this capacity.
At the oncologist's office the other day, the oncologist (a Tico) made the comment that he didn't feel the cancer was aggressive enough for him to be needing chemotherapy, because there was no metastasis to the visceral organs. I didn't bother to explain about the Marijuana oil, because when I broached that subject two years ago, he said that Marijuana might be a little helpful with nausea, but nothing else. So I just dropped the subject. Because you likely cannot educate the "educated" on the subject. I did send a peer reviewed report to him, upon which he made no comment.
In my mind however, the oil is the reason the cancer has not spread to the organs. And I firmly believe I am right about this. That said, the Xtandi stopped working and the PSA rose rapidly. Miami decided he was ready for chemo, and our local oncologist agreed to administer it.
So with heavy heart, we went to the local chemo center and Miller had his first treatment. Essentially it went very well. No nausea, no pain, no real horrible effects except for fatigue. Then the wait began. Would he respond? Without response, this would essentially be the last resort of treatment. We waited 3 weeks, and had blood work done. Then two very long hours before the results came in: The PSA had dropped! He was responding. Thank the universe!!
Three weeks later Miller received another infusion. Same lack of ill effects, but the fatigue grows stronger. Not good, for him, but if it extends his life then it will be worth the symptoms. We have a friend who has experienced chemotherapy here, and who graciously offered her services to drive us there, and to coach Miller on what to expect. We are both very grateful to this friend for her support and guidance. Another friend, a new friend, taught me to give miller the injections that will keep his white counts up.. this will help stave off infection, since chemo dangerously lowers white cell counts, and increases the risk of infections. We thank this new friend as well.
Today we meet with a doctor who will discuss installing a port for the chemotherapy, because Miller's veins are collapsing from the chemo. Miller is a bit afraid of the process, and I don't blame him. But I fear that it will become necessary one day. So we may as well face it now, while it is still optional.
That is where we are today. Keeping fingers crossed.
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