​6.10.25
Round 9 started off great- the port access went smooth and was pretty easy- then we went up to meet with Dr. Kasi. My weight was down a couple pounds which frustrated me because I have been working extra hard to keep it up. My bloodwork for the day came back with good levels but when we went over the bloodwork from my Tempus Personalis ctDNA test- it went from previously undetected since 3.18.25 to detected on 5.27.25 (right before we started the liver pump). It showed 6 parts per million which is an extremely small number but it bummed me out to see any kind of detection. Having any kind of detection reminds us the importance of chemo after surgery and the HAI pump. 

After our meeting with Dr. Kasi we went back down to the phlebotomy station to retake the blood test and what usually is an easy blood draw from the port was challenging for the tech. He would pull some out, put some back in, fill the tube a little, pull more out, have me lift my arm, put more back in and then he accidentally dripped blood on my pants. Going into the blood draw already having high emotions bc of the personalis results and then getting blood on my pants made me an emotional mess. I was already ready to go home but had to tough it out for the 3ish more hours up in the infusion center. 

Thankfully the rest of the day went smooth. I started the pre meds, then took a break to drain/ fill the HAI pump with heprin- and then went back to do the chemo. This round they did Irinotecan and sent me home with the 5FU pack. 

Since we held off on the oxaliplatin and the avastin my side effects were not as bad as the rounds before surgery. Over the week I felt mostly tired and weak but the nausea was more manageable and I was able to eat without terrible food aversions. In addition to feeling more emotional this past week I have had a lot of night sweats. 

I am getting more and more use to the HAI pump and my incisions are healing really well. Although it feels like I have a belt around my waist and I think that is still going to take some getting use to. I am still moving around pretty slow and in the afternoons my back hurts. I have started doing a little home workout every day and am excited to work at getting my strength back. AND best of all- I am allowed to pick Luca up again!!! Just in time for his first birthday on the 25th!

5.27.25

Round 8 was by far the smoothest round of chemo. I had a blood draw when I arrived and then we met with Dr. Kasi to review blood-work, talk about the surgery, and talk more about what we can expect the future rounds to look like. He told us that todays appointment would only consist of filling the pump with chemo (FUDR). I had heard that when they fill the pump you dont feel the side effects like you would when they put it in the port because it goes directly to the liver. Filling the pump was a bit more painful than the last time but thankfully I did not have any side effects. It felt like another mini break from treatment. The timing was perfect too because the girls have their last week of school this week and it is nice to be able to be feeling good and attend a couple of events they had. Its nice to do some normal things- I took Bella to a friends birthday, went to her field day at her school, picked her up from school and took her to the park, and even got out to see the new Stitch movie. Last week- I was also able to get a massage at COH which was so nice and relaxing. The masseuse is incredible- she researches about everyones individual case and customizes the massage based on your individual needs. It was  so beneficial. I am still healing from surgery. The swelling and bruising is almost complexly gone and I have stopped wearing my compression wrap. There is still glue on my incisions but I dont want to pick it off so it will be on there a little longer. Because I am so petite (5'1 about 110lbs) the pump looks huge in my abdomen- it is going to take some getting use to for summer outfits. Tonight I did my first high dose vitamin c IV since before surgery. It makes me feel so dizzy/sick. Thankfully after having about 2 bottles of water, some electrolytes and some zofran, I feel good again. 

Friday (June, 6th) City of Hope is having a Key Ceremony and survivorship celebration. Mike and I got invited and I am really looking forward to attending. 

Thank you for following along on my journey. Your support and encouragement mean so much to me.