She will take four tablets once a day, two hours after eating anything
and two hours before eating anything. Votrient
is a pill that works by interfering with the growth of new blood vessels needed
for solid tumors to grow and survive. As with most medications, the side
effects can be serious. Urine and heart tests were done today to provide a
baseline from which to measure possible side effects.
Over the past few weeks the pain in her leg has increased, so new pain medication has been prescribed to keep her more comfortable. Dr. Homsi wants the pain reducing meds in her system at a level that she will not be, in his words, “chasing the pain” with meds when needed.
This new medication will allow her hair to grow back, but very likely,
it will be a different color. She is hoping it will be brunette. One drawback
to this treatment is that she is not to eat grapefruit or drink
grapefruit juice (not a big sacrifice). This
treatment does sound better at this stage than three long days per month in the
infusion bay receiving chemotherapy.
Irene looks great and has the energy to do most things that she desires.
We hope and pray that this treatment will arrest the growth of the tumors and
that one day she will be cancer free.
Thank you so much for your continued love, interest and support.
More to come soon on our trip to Washington, DC to attend the burial of Irene's brother, Byron, with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.
Thank you so much for your updates. I'm glad you have a few options. You both are in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how much your family has going on. I hope all the missionaries are doing well. I miss you all. An Arizona trip is way overdue!
I didn't hear about Uncle Byron's burial until after the fact.
Love you,
Merilee