“Everyone hates steroids and you just have to tough them out.” seems to be the theme I hear from doctors and other patients these days. Perhaps I have been whining too much! Oops!

Today was my every 3 week appointment for my clinical trial. I started by being called back to have labs drawn within 2 minutes of checking in! This NEVER happens! I have a port-a-cath in my chest into which they put a needle to draw labs and give me IV treatments. The needle stays in for my appointment and I have it removed after I am finished with all my appointments and treatments for the day. It saves my arm veins from multiple sticks as well as prevents damage and pain to my veins with some of the tougher medications. So, I see a RN rather than a phlebotomist for labs which takes some time with steralization of the site, removing the numbing cream, figuring out which of the two ports is being accessed (my port is a dual lumen and both sections need to be regularly flushed.) And… I had a point to talking about my lab visit today, but I seriously can’t remember it now. See? Steroids suck. Oh well, here’s a photo of a port-a-cath to go along with my pointless rambling. 

Next I was seen at the cancer center today by Lois, the wonder NP. I really like her. She is smart, kind, practical and didn’t palpatate my swollen belly out of mercy! I alternate seeing her and my oncologist. Lois watches me medically, but she also is a great help with helping me have the best quality of life possible. I have gained a significant amount of water weight (10lbs) in the past two weeks, plus an additional 15 lbs added from the two months I’ve had a ravenous appetite. Thanks for that, steroids! I think Lois knew palpitating my belly was a bad idea when she saw I had pulled out the ol’ pregnancy “rubber band the pants instead of buttoning them closed” trick for the day! Keeping it real here, folks!

The great news I got today from Lois is that over the next 10 days, I am changing to a lower dose steroid (I’ve been on Dexamethasone and am switching to Prednisone.) AND reducing my dosage until I am finished with steroids entirely!

I have not been allowed to take Anti-pd1 (the clinical trial drug that has been WORKING!) since the brain symptoms began in September and I have been on the steroid. The anti-pd1 revs up my immune system and the steroids work to calm it down, so they are counter-indicated. We WANT my immune system working on my tumors, just not going crazy on dead tissue in my brain. (insert joke about dead brain tissue and intellect here.) Assuming all goes well with weaning off the steroids, I should be able to have my 9th infusion of anti-pd1 on December 2nd! I am SO excited to get back on track with the trial and kicking melanoma’s ass! SO SO SO happy to have this plan in place and a light at the end of this brain mess tunnel!

Another example of my absent mindedness of late at the end of my appointment, it wasn’t until I got into the car and felt the port still accessed when I put on my seatbest that I realized I’d left the cancer center without returning to the lab to have the needle removed! Thankfully we hadn’t left the parking lot! Things like this have been happening a lot. I  had a friend remind me I’d left a Facebook conversation mid-chat a few days ago and completely forgotten about it among other silly mistakes due to not being able to think super clearly. I cried this morning because I couldn’t find a medication and my bra. I am tired of being absent minded! SO, if I have not responded to something I should have or forgotten to do something or forgotten your last name at the melanoma walk, PLEASE forgive me. It is not because I don’t care. My brain just seems to have fallen out. If you see it, send it home!

All in all it was a really good appointment and day. Steroids suck, but I can see a finish line!!!

A couple prayer requests if God leads you to pray for me.

First, that my brain and body will cooperate with the steroid wean. Steroids are tough on the body and I’ve been on a fairly high dose for a good amount of time. Of course, I am hoping to get off these darn things ASAP, so prayers for a smooth transition are SO appeciated.

Second, that the Anti PD1 will kick back in and continue to work to reduce my existing tumors and prevent any new ones! I have seen some signs as the steroid had been reduced that the Anti-pd1 may already be kicking back in which would be incredible and not unlikely based on how it seems to work in other patients. Yay for Anti-pd1!

Third, that this brain swelling stuff will NOT return! We need my immune system working hard from my neck down on tumors in my body, but my brain needs to stay calm, remaining tumor free is good, but attacking tumors that are already dead and attacking with a vengance is something we’d like to avoid!

Fourth, that God would provide an excellent melanoma specialist for my cancer center. My oncologist is overworked and needs help! I’ve heard rumors they may be hiring someone soon so please pray for the perfect person to treat the many Arizonans who face melanoma and are treated at AZCC.