Friday, March 23, 2018

Parsing Lynparza, Update

I've now been on BRCA-inhibitor Lynparza for three weeks. Scans won't happen for another month or so, so I don't know if it's working. Here's what I've learned so far:

  • Energy is a little better
  • Appetite is worse, to be honest. I eat three bites and the knot in my tummy says "Full!"
  • GI is really minimal, but still a thing.
  • I had another UTI, probably medicine-induced (Stay hydrated, travellers!)
  • I have a somewhat funny metallic taste that lasts for a few hours after each dose

I have to admit that the taste one, for the rest of my life, would be a bit unfortunate. The possibility does exist that I will get to taste everything weird from now on. But it's nice not to have hand/foot battles, and I've done some walking and -- gasp! -- I even golfed indoors one day.  The UTI was a setback; they seem to be getting worse and more painful.  But it was cured quickly enough. I wish they'd prescribe prophylactic meds so I didn't have to wait. I know what I have, but they don't do that anymore.
A mountain laurel bush flowering with sweet-smelling violet flowers.
Mountain Laurel smells wonderful
The radiation worked well enough, but not completely, so far. We may still see some more improvement; I still have some healing to do. But my skin looks and feels quite promising. The skin is my visible connection to the disease; my daily reminder, so it's encouraging to see improvement.

The other issue that needed to be addressed was my thyroid medication. I'm back on traditionals. I have no idea how it's going either, but since I feel better and my hair looks ok, I'm guessing I've returned to a more normal response.  I plan to try to move toward T3 dominant treatment when I can be monitored more closely.

Things to look forward to:

  • RenFest tomorrow for a short bit
  • A trip to Big Bend National Park in spring; driving, but that's fine.
  • Wildflowers and migratory birds -- there are tons here. Added a Canyon Wren to my list.  And this lovely mountain laurel, that smells heavenly. Stop, smell and listen, folks. You never know. 

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