- Statut quo: I'd already done the operation and we'd leave it at that with medical surveillance, blood work, scans and a check up with him every six months.
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Chemo and Radiation
My concern was the side effects of the chemo, at 29 with no kids and a desire to have kids in the future I asked about possible infertility as a side effect of the chemo.
Armed with my concerns, my medical file and history, He took my case before the panel. He wrote the top specialists in France concerning my treatment.
I returned home and to wait for their conclusions.
I got an answer about 8 weeks later which felt like forever. The Oncologist called me on my cell as I was commuting home. He gave me the pannel's decision: no chemo because of (a) my age and fertility concerns (b) the fact that chemo isn't effective against this type of cancer and (c) it was well localized and had not spread to the surrounding tissue, my surgeons were certain they got it all.
I had serious mixed feelings about that news: I was happy I would not have to go through the whole chemo ordeal, but I was upset by the fact that chemo would not prevent it's return.
But I can't live in the world of 'what ifs'.
When released from the hospital I was put on pain meds, meds for gas and to help with my digestion (stomach soothers really) that's it no other meds.... I did not like taking the pain medication, because I don't like taking medication in general and I didn't want to run the risk of developing a dependency to them. This is all the medication that has been prescribed to me over the past year, some have helped, some were ineffective and most were stomach soothers, creams for the scar, meds for nausea etc...
I don't have any dietary restrictions, but I have somewhat lost my sweet tooth. Growing up I never really had a sweet tooth, I preferred salty snacks then that just changed suddenly, I'd have muffins and cakes and chocolate, one day I had chocolate cake with chocolate milk and that was so unlike me. I really believe that is what prevented me over the years I had the insulinoma from going into insulin shock from all the insulin it was pumping into my system.
I just need to stay away from greasy foods and spicy foods don't really agree with me. I'm happy to note that I have gotten my appetite back.
In July 2005 I developed a diarrhea that just would not go away no matter what my doctor treated it with. I'd lost a considerable amount of weight and by early august my doctor was contemplating sending me back to the hospital in Martinique, they told him to have me checked into the hospital here first and run test to see what's wrong and if they could treat it here. Nothing showed up on my CT scans so there was no need to fly me up there.
It turns out I had a pancreatitis attack (see next post for definition)
I was treated and released within 6 days and put on a enzyme treatment which I'll be on the rest f my life. For someone who doesn't like taking meds that bumbed me out. But when I really think about it taking a capsule of enzymes 3 times a day for the rest of my life and keeping the little pancreas I have.... It's not a bad trade off given that you can't live without a pancreas. So I've made peace with it.
The hospital was an experiece in itself.I was given the wrong medecin on the first day, was almost taken for the wrong exam (some other patients invasive exam) then when i was being released the paper work stated 'deceased' I told the secretary 'i'm quite sure i'm alive!' . Is it any wonder i elected to not have major surgery here and flew to another island?
These are what I take daily
The other meds are just temporary, the Creon (enzymes) will be with me for the long run.
Me developing diabetes is a concern, but so far so good.
My abdomen is still swollen but not as much as a year or even 6 months ago. I can't sit or stand too long without causing pain. And exercise is totaly out of the question along with heavy lifting. And gas is still an issue as i now eat like a bird and should be having 5 or 6 small meals a day and i'm only having 3 small ones. I need t owork on that if i hope to ever get rid of the gas.
Over the past month or so many people have asked me how i've managed to loose so much weight, they want to know my 'secret', what diet i'm on. I can understand this question from strangers, but from people who know what i've been through this past year, i just don't get it!
I weighed 166lbs in january of 2005 and 130lbs in january 2006. On my 5'3'' frame that's a lot. The tumor (and it's placement) is what had me 'swollen'. I look back at pictures of me back then and whoa i was huge!
Number of crunches done= 0
Amount of hours spent on the treadmill= 0
Loosing 30lbs in 6 months without, diet, exercise or drugs = priceless
Cancer does have its privileges!
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