Friday, January 4, 2013

{New Plan}

Travis and I were able to meet with the Dr. today to discuss our next 
step in our treatment plan.

He has been on his 2 week break from Sutent,
and honestly is still feeling the side effects.
He does feel a little better then when he is on the drug,
but is still swollen, tired, and his poor stomach still has
many aches and pains.

We discussed all of our options today with the Dr.
When Travis was diagnosed the first time,
there wasn't many options in the field for RCC patients.
Today, the Dr. gave us a list, 
and while there aren't dozens,
there are options.

I just couldn't help but be grateful that we do have the options 
we have.  I can't imagine how terrifying it would be to not even
have the chance to choose your treatment plan.
 10 years ago we wouldn't have been so lucky.

After discussing all of our choices,
we opted to go with a mixture of drugs.

The first is called interferon, which is the oldest drug in the book.
And another called Avastin.

Avastin is infused, so that old port will come in handy again.
He will go every other week and the infusion takes about an hour.

Interferon is a shot that he will get 3 times each week.
And it sounds like either he, or I will get to administer it.
In his belly.

Ewwww.

The side effects for Avastin seem tolerable enough.
And really, taking that pill each night has been so hard for 
Trav's stomach that I think he will welcome going in for infusions again.

But the side effects for interferon will be harder.
It sounds like the stomach problems wont be as bad,
which is really fabulous, but there are lots of side effects.
Mostly flu like symptoms.
Which sounds awful and hard...
Poor Travis.
He's honestly felt like  he's had the flu for months now.
I am so grateful for how hard he fights for us.
 I watch him pull himself out of bed each morning and head to 
work when I know he feels incredibly sick,
and it reaffirms that I married a pretty amazing man.

Our lives have changed drastically in the past year.
And it's been very hard.
Harder then I really ever imagined.
 It's incredibly hard to watch the person you love feel so sick
with no relief or end in sight.
It's been hard on our kids.
The cold is affecting him worse then ever...
(in fact, he wears special thermals that are supposed to trap in heat every day,
and is still freeeeezing.)
So he isn't able to go outside and build a snowman,
or go sledding.
 Dad can't wrestle with them anymore.
On NYE we went to dinner and Adyson watched a
Grandpa wrestle with his grand kids.
Adyson looked at me and said it makes her sad that her
dad can't do that.
And it broke my heart.

 But then I see the ladies snuggle up next to him on the couch to warm him up.
And they make him watch videos on their ipod,
and he is always willing to read to them and will
spend every second he has catering to them.
And on every single good day,
he is thinking of something fun and special for them.
I hope they realize that he is stronger then most dads out there,
just in a different way.

This ended up being a pretty long rant for a little update.
Sorry about that!

Anyhow, they will get this all approved by the insurance and we will
begin soon.

Feeling nervous and optimistic.
Even though I stated there are options,
there's still  not enough.
We'd really like it to work,
and we'd really like it to give him,
and all of us,
a better quality of life!

Thanks for checking in.
If you made it all the way to the end of this
huge post,
I applaud you.

A little PS-
I love the Cancer Center her in Logan.
They treat my Trav like the rockstar that he is.
So grateful to them.

25 comments:

Brittney said...

Yep. You married a good one. And he married one freakin' awesome rockstar of his own. You.Are.AMAZING. And I seriously applaud you for all of your posts and being real and opening up to so many who love you and are interested in you. I have such admiration for you. Thank you for allowing us on your journey, although at most times you still probably feel pretty lonely. I love you.

Becca said...

I HATE cancer. Love you. Travis is super lucky to have you in his corner.

jmn said...

Thanks for the updates. My love and prayers continue for your family. I'm grateful that you have been blessed with the strength and positive attitude to guide your sweet family through this. You and Travis are both amazing! -Jeanne Nielsen

Eileen said...

We will all pray for the most minimal/or none, side effects. I believe in miracles. I do.

So many people love you and your family. I am proud to be one of the many!

Watkins said...

I think you are both wonderful and so brave! Your strength marvels me and I want you to know that your family is in our prayers every night. Thank you for sharing your feelings on your blog and letting us know how things are going. I am sure that isn't easy. I hope you know that we all love you and consider it a privilege to know you!

Janalee Hubbard said...

I ditto what Brittney said. I think you really honor Travis and help others by sharing all your ups and downs with us. I too am grateful there are options that weren't there 10 years ago! Love you guys.

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