As I get ready to retire for the evening, I look forward to two weeks without my chemotherapy, Sutent. This last round was interesting as we played around a bit with the dosing, and I took a 50mg pill two out of three days. It really had very little beneficial effect… the taste issues still come back and the pain and fatigue are just as bad. I think I did have a tad more energy, but its getting warmer and I am more inclined to get out and do things.
I have also started taking Vicodan for the really bad pain and that is a big help, so I have decided that I will stay at the 50mg daily for each of the 28 days this next round. As long as the Sutent is working, why take a chance with a lower dose? If it gets too bad, I might change my mind, but I think it is best to hit it as hard as I can while I am able.
Back in August of 2007 when this whole kidney cancer adventure began I believed that I had 20 months to live if I just ignored the disease and did nothing. I, of course did not take that path, and we have been fighting it pretty hard with surgery and chemo, and I am now +23 days to the 20 months, playing with house money, and happy to be alive.
Tags: kidney cancer