New Year Means New Decisions

Treatment #5 & treatment #6 are in the books and thankfully the side effects have remained steady with only nausea, fatigue, and the "chemo mouth" taste. All things considering as terrible as some of those three side effects can be during the first 1-6 days post treatment, I have to consider myself lucky. Mouth sores and migraines have not resurfaced since the first cycle. My scans and treatments are going as well as they can. And the masses in my body continue to get smaller as my levels continue to improve. All good things!

Ryan and I were able to travel for Christmas. Hitting the road only a few hours after treatment #6 meant nausea and fatigue for the holidays, but we were able to safely get in before the winter storm and visit families.

Treatment #7 is fast approaching after the New Year. This means I enter cycle 4 ( each cycle is a month, approx. 2 treatments). Post my next appointment with the radiologist, Ryan and I will have a decision to make:

Option A: Halt chemotherapy after cycle 4 (that would mean only 2 more treatments, woohoo!) and then start radiation. Radiation would significantly reduce the risk of the masses returning and make a relapse of Hodgkin's Lymphoma minimal. Because of how large 1 of the 3 masses, the one in my chest, was, radiation is a better option to minimize the mass coming back. Radiation also brings along other risk factors such as making my body more susceptible to things like breast cancer or a heart attack years down the road.

Option B: Continue with chemotherapy through cycle 6 (complete the full 6 months), but drop 1 of the 4 drugs I recieve of the ABVD treatment. This option eliminates the risk factors of radiation as radiation would not be given, but brings along another risk. The risk of my masses, aka Hodgkin's Lymphoma returning in my body is elevated and the result would be intense treatment should a relapse occur.

There is not "better" option and no cookie cutter way to make the decision. Simply put, the decision comes down to what risks are willing to be swallowed for the sake of current treatment paths. This decision will need to be made shortly after the Jan. 10th appointment with the radiologist and by my next chemotherapy treatment that follows. Prayers are appreciated for Ryan and I for wisdom to make the best decision. As always all support through texts, donations, the meal train, and in person connects have been SUCH A BLESSING during this whole cancer season. We really are so fortunate for our "village!!"