A Step Backwards

Met with my oncologist, Dr. Moretto, Friday, Jul 26th. The news was not good, at least not as encouraging as my previous visits. The current protocol of one week on SUTENT and one week off is not working as it should. I have developed a new tumour in the pleura and three others have either doubled or almost doubled in size. This probably explains my increased shortness of breath and increased tiredness of late. She also did not like the condition of my feet. Of course, her comments were probably in part due to the sliced heel occurred when I removed a large section of it when I fell and landed on a sharply pointed rock.I did a neat slicing job lowering my height on the left side by a quarter inch. My feet are heavily callused (she jokingly suggested I need to get Peggy to file them more often) and I have extensive swelling in the ankle and lower leg, especially when I am taking the SUTENT. Needless to say she made a strong recommendation that I consult a good podiatrist and stay off my feet, at least be more gentle with them until these problems have been cleared. For a guy who likes to walk/hike five to ten kilometres five days a week, this was heavy news, not to say what the inactivity may do to my waistline. She suggested substituting swimming not realizing I really only enjoy little water in my scotch. Good news. The CT scans showed that my kidney was clear and showed no reoccurrence of the cancer. If only we could chase the beast from my lungs and chest. So what now? I am back to a previous protocol of two weeks on and one week off. I am not particularly pleased with this. The problem I have with SUTENT is that by the end of the week on, my energy levels become very low. I have often remarked that out of 14 days , I give away four to five. My concern with the two weeks of taking SUTENT is that I may end up with more low energy days and increased need to take diarrhea pills.(diarrhea is a an annoying side effect of taking SUTENT.) I'll manage. My experience in life to date has taught me to be adaptable, but I do not need to like it. The Ottawa Hospital Foundation has a programme whereby patients can nominated staff (doctors, nurses, orderlies, volunteers, etc.) for a Guardian Angel pin. I consider Dr. Moretto to be my Guardian Angel. Despite the message she had to convey, she communicated it well, showing compassion, concern and respect. I appreciate her greatly and I will miss her as she moves on to another position at McMaster in Hamilton. My last appointment with her be the end of Aug. Change has been a constant in my life and I am already wondering who will be my next Guardian Angel. I must go now. I am busy planning our trip to Italy and Portugal in October. Be happy all!