Irene had been on the oral medication
for about six weeks when it became apparent that it was not effective in
reducing the growth of the tumors in her thigh.
The swelling in the surgical site in her thigh and the fact that we
could not control the swelling in her leg with the wrapping at night and the
constriction stocking during the day as well as increased pain were the first
indications that the tumors were growing.
Dr. Homsi ordered a new MRI and CT scans two weeks earlier than planned
and confirmed that the tumors were growing.
Today she started a new chemotherapy
treatment plan with a drug named Ifosfamide which is a chemotherapy agent that
has been used for some time in treating sarcomas. As with most cancer treatment, the side
effects of this treatment are pretty scary.
The treatment consists of three days in a row (five hours per day) of
infusion through her port. We were
actually at the infusion center today from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. She comes home with a back pack filled with a
pump and two liters of fluid that will continually deliver medication through
her port until she goes back tomorrow for a refill and more chemotherapy. She will even sleep with this. This process
goes on for three days, and then on the fourth day she receives a nulasta shot
to protect her heart and a couple of hours of infusion for anti-nausea. This process will be repeated every three
weeks if her symptoms improve, and the tumors are reduced.
She is still as wonderful as ever and
continues to do most of the things she loves to do. We are so grateful for your faith and
prayers.
