My Journey as a Cancer Patient Part Three, Heading for the Home Stretch
Here is where I stand after 91 days of Chemotherapy: After my 5th of 6 infusions, I felt good having to withstand minor side effects. On day 91, my body crumbled. I was weak and unable to get out of bed in the morning. My darling Alice let me sleep longer than usual and our dog Kaili waited patiently for her walk in the park. I was dizzy and unbalanced. I left a message with my medical team as my brain was reeling as never before.
Me at a delicious dinner with friends, Chris, Clo, and Reeny at Crustacean (July 31, 2022, San Francisco, CA)
The last time we spoke was after my 3rd Infusion and all was good. My white blood cell count was in its sweet spot and the medical team was pleased with how my body was responding. As I was preparing for Infusion #4, I remembered several people, including a friend who had the same diagnosis in 2015 and has been cancer free since his Chemo, saying that it gets worse at #4. I was apprehensive, but the side effects never materialized, and I was able to function well, including evaluating wines like I always do. Immediately after #4, I felt a little worse, fortunately after a few days, life was good again, and I could continue living my “normal life.”
The week of Infusion #5 was my test of true grit. After consulting my medical team and a friend who is an oncologist, I learned that five days before and five days after infusions were my safety zones, where I could attend events. That week was crammed with events. Monday, a wine vendor trade tasting (tasted around 60 wines), Tuesday, my infusion, Wednesday, a Burgundy tasting/luncheon (around 40 wines) Thursday, a large trade tasting (around 100 wines), and Friday my long-awaited PET Scan. I knew this would be taking on a lot, but I was confident that I would be able to handle it. The week concluded and I was in great shape, just a bit fatigued. While I have been tasting wines at home, I missed tasting important wines that I could only do at these events.
Two days ago, I hit a wall and experienced one of the worse days during my treatments. I called my medical team, and Dr. K, my oncologist, called me back and said it was mostly Prednisone (as a steroid causing this). I take 80mg for five days following each infusion, and I would be better in the days to come. True to his words, I feel much better. As we spoke, I got some incredible news, he had studied my PET scan and commented, “Everything is going in the right direction; the cancer is diminishing.” This was the news I had been waiting for, and while there are no guarantees for 100% remission, the prognosis seems very good.
I will meet with the medical team next week and have the last infusion on May 30th. This journey from diagnosis to survival is like a labyrinth, and the best way to make it is to listen carefully to my medical team, research as much as possible, and talk with survivors. I am looking forward to rejoining the world soon.
Cheers to you all – See you Soon!
Wilfred
