An interesting element to these clinical trials is you really don’t know what to expect (see: Keytruda=>Diabetes). Today, I finished the second drug cycle of my new PHA trial, and I’m starting to understand the rhythm of it. Again, it’s 7 days on, 7 days off, then back to Georgetown. So far, the side effects have been manageable, although Dr Giaccone says, “There is a bit of cumulative effect.” What that really means is, anything bad now is going to get worse. What I’ve found is that I’m good for 5 days. Days 6 and 7 are challenging, but so far, just in the mornings. I have a tough time getting up in the morning because of the fatigue. This morning, I was at a movie (it’s SUNDANCE!!! But more on that later) with my pregnant friend, San, who said her first trimester brought fatigue and morning sickness. This sounds a bit like what she described, but without the baby of course.
As an expert on medication-induced gastro side effects, I already have Zofran and Loperamide (look it up) and have new prescriptions for them as well. My plan of attack now on days 6 and 7 is to take the Zofran when I get up to take the meds at THREE IN THE MORNING, so when I do wake up, I’m not so woozy and erpy. I figured that out today, but will have to wait a week and a half to execute the plan. I think it’s a good one.
Besides that, IT’S SUNDANCE. I’m doing red carpets again, which are loads of fun but a lot of work. BUT, this year, I have crews working with me, so I don’t have to do 19 of them in 10 days. Here are photos from a couple of my favorites so far, with a Paul Rudd film (Fundamentals of Caring) tomorrow. He’s the best.
I’ve seen a couple of really great films so far, The Bad Kids, about a last chance high school for students in California, and We Are X, about a hugely popular rock band in Japan in the 80s (70s?) that’s making a comeback now. Still to come are Jim, about James Foley, the photojournalist captured and killed in Syria, and Gleason, about the former New Orleans Saint with ALS. This year’s documentaries have been outstanding.
Locals often complain about Sundance. The traffic is horrible, you can’t get a reservation at a restaurants, and the PIBs (People in Black) can be self-entitled and idiotic. And they walk into the roads texting and expecting traffic to stop for them. But we have the best indie film festival in the world RIGHT HERE. And I’m going to take advantage of being right in the middle of it and seeing movies 10 months before you get to. Plus, I’ll be interviewing Paul Rudd for the 4th time tomorrow. Win.
Our winter has been stellar, too. The snow has been fantastic, and the powder days plentiful. Last Wednesday definitely had me in my happy place with a foot of new, my playmate, Bill from LA, finally back skiing with me, and Patrick skiing with us on one of his few days off.
Coming up, we are doing both a snowcat ski day in the back country and the Interconnect, which is a guided tour where you can ski 6 resorts in one day, skiing from one to the next. I’ve wanted to do it for years, but between my torn ACL a few years ago and some mediocre snow years, hadn’t This is the year. Putting it off no longer.
So life goes on, the adventures pile up. My first CT scan to see if the new trial is working is coming up in three weeks. I am hopeful, but already formulating my next plan, if it doesn’t work (I’m not ready to share yet). And in the meantime, my Tour of Hope love, Doreen, posted this on her Facebook page. I took it for my own, and I’m leaving you with it today. It’s a great reminder to just say yes. 24 hours to Paul Rudd. Defy.
Maxine Jimenez
Stronger than ever…..you are amazing girl…AMAZING! !!!! HEALING WISHES! !! Continue with my prayers! !!! Maxine
katy
Wendy,
So glad to hear you’re into a clinical trial. I wish you nothing but the best. You are a fighter. You are a survivor. You are a winner. Stay the course.
Thinking of you,
Katy