Thursday, October 1, 2009

Christmas Vacation Approved!

Yahoo, here is what I found out today.

My next Scan Day will probably be November 4. That is the day when we will decide whether I will add on two extra cycles of chemo and whether I qualify for the clinical trial of the experimental drug to keep the cancer from starting to grow again.

Even if I add in the two extra cycles of chemo, I'll be done with chemo on December 3, and Dr Reidel says that is long enough recovery time to fly at Christmas. I can go on a cruise! And I will not miss any treatment to to do it!

If I do qualify for the clinical trial, then super luckily, the clinical trial is a daily pill that I would administer to myself with minimal side effects and monitoring that does not need to occur on a weekly basis. So I can do it while on vacation without putting anything in jeopardy.

Dr Reidel said that there is no strong evidence that the two extra cycles offer substantial benefit and that he is leaning toward my immediately starting the clinical trial instead -- if I qualify.

Of course I will certainly do the two extra cycles if he says to, but I will admit that I would rather be done with chemo after six cycles.

So, this evening Lou and I settled on a Princess cruise! We'll be on the fabulous new Ruby Princess which has [gasp] a SUSHI restaurant onboard. Imagine my excitement!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Was the SUSHI restaurant the main reason for choosing the Ruby?
We are soooo happy that you get to go on the cruise--you both need a vaca!!

Delpfine said...

That sounds wonderful, Karen. Congrats!

Daria said...

Very excited for you ... a cruise sounds wonderful. All the best to you.

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen, you are doing so great and Lou too.

I hope you have a great weekend and that you feel better after your chemo than you did after previous ones. Love you lots and lots, Debbie P.

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen, thinking of you . Glad you have something to look forward to. Blessings Karla

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen:

A cruise sounds like just what you guys need. I could pass on the sushi though. A druggist back in NY who took care of my parents prescriptions went on a cruise twice a year. He said he and his wife never got bored and always looked forward to planning for the next one. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy.

Gerry & Robert