Yesterday I had an appointment with the chemotherapy physicians assistant because it is the middle of the first chemo cycle. I also met with her before the first infusion. Her name is Avery. Everyone working in the oncology office says her name with a swoon as if they are in love. I like her too, so far. I reported my lack of nausea, minor tiredness, and very minor neuropathy. She told me that usually the nausea is worse at first than later, so I am starting off well. I tried to talk her down to a lower dose of the steroids next time becuase 5 days of a high dose of prednisone is unpleasant but she convinced me to try to stick with it. We also went over my bone marrow biopsy, which came back two days ago. There is follicular lymphoma in my bone marrow which is true for 60% of the follicular lymphoma cases and doesn’t change the treatment plan. It does lower the prognosis slightly. There was no diffuse B cell lymphoma in there which, depending in the type, might have changed the treatment. So it looks like the diffuse B cell lymphoma is limited to my colon which is good. I’ll go for chemotherapy infusion two next Thursday.
Thanks as always for an update. Personable medical people are a huge plus– as is your good luck with nausea. I’m still trying to wrap my head around how such a fit, youngish, vegetarian yogi has to be subject to this treatment– but yay, I guess, for colonoscopies.
Dear Ellen and all, Too many people get cancer in the Western world, even children, and we don’t know why. Let’s not worry how Saskya got it, let’s just learn from how bravely she is confronting it!
Clumsy of me, I guess. In fact I secretly aggree with Ellen…
I agree with Ellen too, except I imagine that most people with cancer feel surprised that it is actually them who has it, even though a lot of people have it. A lot of people also don’t have it.
Saskya, thanks for the update, sending love and best wishes your way.
Thanks Peter
Trust Avery, she has been there several times, you haven’t! The apples of this spring arrived from Argentina to Mathis hallen. Thinking of you…
I pretty much do trust Avery. The plum tree is blooming in our yard, which reminds me of getting ready to leave to go to Åland where I would get to see the same spring things unfolding, again.
I know, it’s like a time maschine! I used to experience that on my travel from Turku to Lapland by train. I am keeping an eye on the magnolia in Gustav Eriksson’s garden btw. Nothing yet! Spring greetings to everyone on this page!
Thank you for starting this blog. I’m happy you can save time and energy writing all your updates in one place.
Hi Saskya – Sending my bestest wishes. Strange to meet again on this page after the brief twitter interaction yesterday about fungus gnat larvae. Thank you for writing these pages. I hope all is well very soon.
Thank you Manoj. Yes, fungus gnat larvae are more fun to write and think about. But I am doing OK so far
Dear Saskya,
I thought I left a message a week ago, but I think I failed to follow all of the directions ;). What a shock to find out about your cancer! So sorry. It is a cruel reminder that lifestyle is just a small part of the cancer risk factors. We are here for you and more sourdough bread will come your way if it feels good to you. Avery and Dr. Bael are great.
Much love,
Carole
Thanks Carole. It is really surprising to me that this is happening, but I guess that is probably it feels to most people. The sourdough bread is great- the flavor and the texture.
It’s great to hear that nausea hasn’t really been much of an issue
***also there is lots of vegan thai coconut soup whenever you want! Make it all the time in large batches
Thanks Caroline. We enjoyed the last version of that soup.