Linda Cohen is a survivor of small lymphocytic lymphoma and was identified in 2009. Atone for all of Linda’s blogs right here!
It was the morning of my three-month checkup with my oncologist. My husband stated, “Are you certain you don’t need me to go together with you?”
I answered, “Completely no want. I’m feeling fine. There shouldn’t be any points to be involved about, and my medication remains to be working nice. Simply keep dwelling and calm down.” I meant each phrase of that.
9 months in the past, my physician requested me if he may take my blood to acquire outcomes from a more moderen diagnostic take a look at. Three months in the past, we repeated the MRD take a look at which stands for minimal residual illness. It measures the variety of most cancers cells that stay in my physique after therapy, even when there aren’t any overt detectable indicators of most cancers. My outcomes got here again: The irregular B-cells signify 0.12% of complete cells. When my oncologist obtained the outcomes, he texted me that it’s virtually the identical as six months in the past, however solely higher. His conclusion at the moment was to proceed on the identical twice a day dosage of Calquence (acalabrutinib).
So, you’ll be able to see why there was no purpose to really feel that I wanted to have my husband with me this time. This “routine appointment” was to observe up and talk about how I used to be doing. I instructed him I used to be doing fine … feeling nice. Then he observed how a lot redness there was beneath my pores and skin on my abdomen, which I attributed to the identified facet effect of my remedy. I defined that this was regular for me, and I do know that one of many facet effects of Calquence is bruising simply. My abdomen felt itchy that morning and I used to be rubbing it to alleviate my discomfort.
“Simply from rubbing it?” he requested, wanting very perplexed.
“And”, my oncologist continued, “You stated this occurs even when barely provoked?”
“Sure,” I responded. “I assumed this was the bleeding and bruising facet effect I had examine.”
After a lot thought and dialogue, my physician determined to chop my dose. He defined that he thought this was not a standard response. I knew he was involved when he took a photograph of my abdomen.
Now, I used to be becoming concerned. I used to be mad at myself for telling my husband to not come. Right here we have been planning a possible huge change in my therapy. This was such a giant appointment that I used to be now sorry my husband wasn’t with me.
I’m undecided why I’ve such a tough time with change. Unsure why it has at all times evoked an uncomfortable feeling inside me… good or unhealthy, however right here I used to be going through this alone with no enter
from my husband, a retired physician who retains up with studying about my small lymphocytic lymphoma.
The choice was made to solely take one tablet a day any further and see if this can diminish the redness and bruising that I’ve skilled. The hope is it’ll nonetheless proceed to maintain my lymphoma beneath management … sufficient. I’m involved and just a little apprehensive as a result of this modification is large to me.
The jury is out till the subsequent time I test my MRD degree.
You will be certain I’ll take a second pair of ears to my subsequent appointment!
For extra information on most cancers updates, analysis and training, don’t overlook to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters right here
