Here it is, hot off the presses. Dosage for the “bad” drug (Cetuximab) was cut in half because of the rash that was popping up all over my head, neck, and chest area. The documentation they gave me before the first infusion, and online is very clear. So I was seeing lots of zits on my face, scalp and neck. It was weird, but before I could see the rash, I felt it with my fingers on my bald spot on the 6th or 7th day after that first treatment. I communicate almost every other day with my Oncologist, and…
chemo
The Big C – Chapter 5
Met with my Oncologist on Tuesday and she is very pleased with my progress. There is a thing called “CEA” or a Carcinoembryonic Antigen test which is a blood test that measures a protein marker often elevated in colorectal and other cancers to monitor treatment effectiveness. In December of 2025 it was at 170. By February it was down to 93.6 and at the last test, it was 9.1 – an indicator that treatment is working. Well, session 3 is done. In at 11 a.m. and out at 5 p.m. The cocktail now consists of 4 drugs plus the 3…
The Big C – Chapter 4
The weeks keep rolling by in my journey through chemotherapy. After my transition to NorthBay Health and Dr. Powers, she submitted specimens to FoundationOne for CDx testing. They specifically look to see if a patients tumor does or does not have mutations in the KRAS and NRAS genes. Testing revealed KRAS and NRAS wild-type status and a PIK3R1 mutation; “Wild-type” means these genes work normally and are not locked in an “on” position that causes fast, out-of-control tumor growth – a good thing Because of those results, my next “cocktail” of Chemo will change. She explained that she will add…