Change of Treatment to Taxotere/Herceptin

Sitting here at the Block Center anxiously awaiting treatment to finish---the first day of a new treatment is always  longer due to the fact that they want to make sure there are no reactions to the new drug.

Per our nurse, Erica, Cathy's vital signs are good and she did a blood draw for baseline tumor markers (as we are starting a new treatment plan).

We met with Dr. Uhdrain first to discuss the new regimen and the common side affects of Taxotere which include:
low white blood cell count, retaining fluid (including swelling in the hands or feet), nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, feeling weak, low red blood cell count (anemia), rash ---which can be severe. There is also a side effect called 'green nail syndrome' which is common but not often seen here at the Block Center because of the holistic approach they take with the treatment, plus they gave Cathy 'ice gloves and shoes' to wear during her treatment as an added precaution (Brrrrrr!). They address the 'rash' side effect with a steroid (decadron) which has to be taken the day before treatment, the day of treatment, and the day after.
Note that she will have to continue the Neulasta shot the day following treatment. This is to maintain a proper level of platelet count (white blood cells).

We met with the Nutritionist next (Jacki) and she discussed the lab results from our nutrional panel that we had drawn last month. She prioritized the supplements that NEED to be taken or restarted (Cathy has had NO supplements since her abdominal swelling began at the end of September). The 'Big 3" were: Milk thistle (addresses the liver), COQ10 (for the heart---due to herceptin), and Vitamin C (keep immunity up). She can take the others as she is able (due to the abdominal swelling)

Finally, we met with Dr. Block and he went over Cathy's blood work. Her liver enzymes came down from the previous blood draw (that's good!), however, her bilirubin count (which indicates how the liver is functioning) does concern him a little. The 'normal' range is 0-1 and it has been running .4 to .8, but this time it is at 1.1,  which is now in the high zone. Cathy is not showing signs of jaundice (that's good), but he wants us to have a GI specialist or liver doctor available just in case. If the levels continue to elevate and jaundice sets in, she may have to have a stent put in to relieve the bile. We pray that we will not reach that point! He also wanted to reassure us that there are many more treatment choices, as well as, some new immune therapies coming down the road (1-5 yrs)---that was in response to a question I had asked about 'what if' this treatment doesn't do the job.

Cathy remains to be extremely thankful for the opportunity to obtain treatment @ the Block Center, and the faithful prayers offerred on her behalf. This journey of restoring her body to health doesn't end once she is in remission, but will be a lifetime commitment of doing what it takes to maintain a well status. May God daily grant her the strength and humility for this task he has given her.

~Mike

After a 25 minute phone consult w/Dr. Uhdrain, my oncologist @ the Block Center, Mike and I will head to Chicago next Wednesday. I will commence with chemo--Taxotere plus Herceptin this time. I should expect some hair loss, but less risk for neuropathy. Looking forward to getting beyond this "bump" in the road.

Please, continue to pray that my body will respond favorably to this new drug, and that side effects will be minimal. Regardless, that my heart will remain thankful and my attitude positive.
:)

Liver Biopsy Results - Kadcyla

Cathy met with Dr Wiersema to discuss the liver biopsy. The liver tissue samples were sent to a liver specialist, Dr Oscar Cummings, at the Indiana University of Medicine. His pathology report does not show cirrhosis or regenerative nodular hyperplasia due to Kadcyla. It did show the cancer cells. I quote, "Tumor is surrounded by desmoplastic fibrous tissue with foci of necrosis. Normal liver tissue present shows no evidence of nodular regenerative hyperplasia."

In layman's terms, the biopsy did not show a "reaction" to the Kadcyla but things have gotten worse while on this drug. He did comment that the liver tissue surrounding the cancer is normal

The test results on the fluid drawn from Cathy's abdomen on Oct 22nd were negative for malignant (cancer) cells, it was also negative for fungus and bacterial growth.

Dr Wiersema had also run blood tests to check for other oddities such as hepatitis, they were all negative.

Cathy still has a distended stomach and it seems that the mystery has not been solved.

All of this information will be sent to Dr Block and his team. Cathy and Mike hope to meet with them next week. Please pray for wisdom, direction and the "peace of God which surpasses all understanding" for Cathy and Mike.

Gratefully,
Lori