Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Good News and Bad News

It has been 3 weeks since my final chemo treatment, and I went back to see my Oncologist today (Wednesday, July 10th) for a checkup. I have good news and bad news...

The good news is that all of my bloodwork is now within the normal range. They are all on the low end of normal, but it is encouraging to see they are going back up and I am no longer considered to be anemic. I do still have weakness in my legs, my muscles are stiff and sore, and my hands are still experiencing the effects of neuropathy. These are all from the chemo, and I will continue to improve in these areas as time goes by.

The bad news is that I have a blood clot near my left collar bone. The fancy word for it is subclavian DVT (deep vein thrombosis). When I saw the doctor for my checkup, we showed him how swollen my arm still is after the removal of my port last Friday. He felt it was a good idea to send me over to the hospital for a Doppler, just to make sure there wasn't a blood clot causing the swelling. I was pretty sure that was not the case, and was very surprised when the tech said I did indeed have one. We are not sure how long it has been there, and the results still need to be examined more closely. We are guessing it has been there for several weeks, due to how swollen my arm has been since my arm port was installed 8 weeks ago.

The hospital sent me back to my Oncologist. We had to wait to be fitted in, since we were not scheduled to be seen again. When he finally saw us, he said we will have to hold off on me taking TAMOXIFEN for awhile, until this blood clot issue is resolved. (If you need a reminder about why I need to take Tamoxifen, go to CANCER JOURNEY #25.) The reason for the delay is because Tamoxifen also has a slight risk of causing blood clots and could make my current one worse. So, instead of taking this medication, I am now taking ARIXTRA, which is a blood thinning medication I need to inject into my stomach once per day. I will be seeing the doc again two weeks from today and we will decide if I should continue with Arixtra and/or start taking Coumadin/Warfarin.

This was not something we were expecting, and I'm not thrilled about it; but I am thankful the blood clot was found and that it has not caused a need for hospitalization. Things could have been much worse. Prayers are appreciated that the clot will dissolve quickly, that the swelling will go down in my arm, and that no other complications will arise.

12 comments:

  1. Oh no, I know that you were expecting to feel so much better after the port was removed. This is temporary and you will feel better very, very soon!!! Continuing to pray and doing so very specifically about the this clot.

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  2. Lord, I lift up my sister, In Christ, right now. I pray that this blood clot would dissolve quickly and that all swelling would disappear and that there would not be ANY further complications. In Jesus' Name we pray. AMEM

    Keeping you in Prayer - Sending Hugs ♥
    Love, Carolyn

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  3. I am so, so --- oh Vicky; I am grateful to our Lord that they found these clots. [You both had been wandering about this weeks ago.]
    Sweet Friend...I am sitting here a bit stunned, shaking my head and my heart yearns to hug you and pray with you.
    When I shake off this cold I presently have, expect us to do something together.
    This takes me to when someone I know was told he had cancer, the first thing he said to the doctor was; "All is Well."
    You are in God's Hands. Your soul is secure. God is faithful. In Him we will not be shaken.
    He is our shield, our strong tower, our Hope!
    Through this you will come out shining bright with God's Glory...hey even during this you are shining with God's Glory.
    Please know I will pray and pray some more.
    I love you sweet friend!

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    1. I appreciate your love and friendship, Daneille. I hope you feel better soon. Yes, indeed, I know I am in the Father's hands, and "It is well with my soul."

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear of this setback, but I'm grateful they found it and can treat it! I am praying for rapid healing.

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  5. Vicky,

    I didn't know what to say today any more than I do now. Just know that you will be prayed for at our house. Praise the Lord that they found the clot so that it can be addressed correctly and before complications from it happened. You are loved friend.

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  6. Thankyou, Charity. I appreciate you!

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  7. Oh how I wish you were not going through all this. I'll continue to be praying for you that the clots dissolve never to be seen again. I know it's not the same exact situation but if it's any comfort at all Bethany also developed blood clots after her surgery and with the blood thinners they all dissolved and she has never had any problems with that again.
    Since I'm practicing praying on the spot rather than saying I'll pray then forgetting to later-I'll pray right now!
    Dear Jesus we pray that this blood clot and all cancer cells will be gone from Victoria's body forever. We pray for a healthy, happy future free from unpleasant side effects from the cancer treatments. In Jesus name amen

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    1. Thanks for your encouragement and prayers, Sylvia. Its good to know Bethany's blood clots dissolved and caused no further problems.

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