Significant Problems Again
I just thought I'd write a quick update on Sheila's treatment problems.
After the ER visit a few weeks ago, Sheila's Oncology team decided that the significant symptoms she was experiencing were probably not due to her new treatment drug. Since they were fairly certain that the treatment wasn't presenting these significant symptoms as side effects of the treatment drug, we came up with a plan to get back on the treatment plan and give it a shot again.
Unfortunately, Sheila was back on this particular treatment drug only two days before one of the significant symptoms appeared again... and now it is only a week later and both of the significant symptoms that landed her in the ER are back again. At this point, we're both quite certain that these are actually side effects of her cancer treatment and they are far too severe to be tolerated for a long term treatment plan.
Right now, these symptoms are more mild than the first time around but it is still only a matter of days on this drug. The last time these symptoms/side effects developed, she had been further into the treatment plan before these symptoms became such a serious problem that she required an ER visit by ambulance. This time, the problems have developed quickly although not as severe... yet.
Sheila has left a message with her Oncology team letting them know she is having these significant symptoms again (symptoms which cannot be tolerated for course of this stage of treatment... which is ten years) so we are now waiting to hear from her Oncology team.
I suspect they will tell her to stop the drug for now. We are already scheduled to be back at the Oncologist's office in a couple of weeks so they'll probably leave that appointment in place and we'll discuss Sheila's remaining options for treatment. This current problematic drug is already the third of four possible drugs to try and Sheila has had problems with the first two as well. Although, it is not unrealistic to think they won't put her back on the second drug since the side effects were not nearly as severe as we are seeing now with this third drug.
One step at a time but, right now, we are waiting.
We should have more info by sometime this afternoon.
POST EDIT: We didn't get any news from the Oncologist today so, hopefully, they will be able to connect with Sheila in the morning.
POST POST EDIT: Aug 29th, 2018 - I forgot to add an update here! The following morning, Sheila finally was able to connect with her Oncologist. Since the serious side effects appeared again, she was told to cease her treatment for now. We will be back at the hospital to see the Oncology team in a couple of weeks so we'll discuss options then.
After the ER visit a few weeks ago, Sheila's Oncology team decided that the significant symptoms she was experiencing were probably not due to her new treatment drug. Since they were fairly certain that the treatment wasn't presenting these significant symptoms as side effects of the treatment drug, we came up with a plan to get back on the treatment plan and give it a shot again.
Unfortunately, Sheila was back on this particular treatment drug only two days before one of the significant symptoms appeared again... and now it is only a week later and both of the significant symptoms that landed her in the ER are back again. At this point, we're both quite certain that these are actually side effects of her cancer treatment and they are far too severe to be tolerated for a long term treatment plan.
Right now, these symptoms are more mild than the first time around but it is still only a matter of days on this drug. The last time these symptoms/side effects developed, she had been further into the treatment plan before these symptoms became such a serious problem that she required an ER visit by ambulance. This time, the problems have developed quickly although not as severe... yet.
Sheila has left a message with her Oncology team letting them know she is having these significant symptoms again (symptoms which cannot be tolerated for course of this stage of treatment... which is ten years) so we are now waiting to hear from her Oncology team.
I suspect they will tell her to stop the drug for now. We are already scheduled to be back at the Oncologist's office in a couple of weeks so they'll probably leave that appointment in place and we'll discuss Sheila's remaining options for treatment. This current problematic drug is already the third of four possible drugs to try and Sheila has had problems with the first two as well. Although, it is not unrealistic to think they won't put her back on the second drug since the side effects were not nearly as severe as we are seeing now with this third drug.
One step at a time but, right now, we are waiting.
We should have more info by sometime this afternoon.
POST EDIT: We didn't get any news from the Oncologist today so, hopefully, they will be able to connect with Sheila in the morning.
POST POST EDIT: Aug 29th, 2018 - I forgot to add an update here! The following morning, Sheila finally was able to connect with her Oncologist. Since the serious side effects appeared again, she was told to cease her treatment for now. We will be back at the hospital to see the Oncology team in a couple of weeks so we'll discuss options then.
Thanks for keeping us posted. Still praying. May you find the right combination of medications to achieve the optimal outcome. Best to Sheila!
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