I AM claiming my crown, even as I remain in battle against Thing One, Thing Two and Flathead. Although these three tyrants have shrunk, they make their presence known if I dare to eat the “wrong “ food.

Over the last 9 months, I got knocked down, but I got up again, again, again and f’ing again! I AM claiming my crown.

Today, the Jewels in my crown sparkle in the bright sunshine as I prepare for my new chemo path. What path, you ask….do tell…..

Hans joined me at the Florida Cancer Center after escorting Delilah to Bishop for transport to her sedated stretch tomorrow. Delilah is still reticent to put her back left foot down, but she does use it to climb stairs. Anyway, back to my news….

Are you sitting down? We were when Dr. Berry told us that it was time to stop using the pump delivery and go to maintenance pills. The pills will deliver the same chemo drugs but by a completely different delivery system. Here’s some info on the drugs that we are using. 

Fluorouracil is also known as FU or 5FU and is one of the most commonly used drugs to treat cancer. It is most often used in combination with other cancer drugs to treat many types of cancer. 

How fluorouracil works: Fluorouracil is part of a group of chemotherapy drugs known as anti metabolites. Anti metabolites are similar to normal body molecules but they have a slightly different structure. These differences mean that anti metabolites stop cancer cells working properly to make and repair DNA. Cancer cells need to make and repair DNA so that they can grow and multiply. Fortunately, 5FU has other plans!

To be clear, the fight is not over and I may not prevail in the battle for total annihilation of the Wicked Three. But where there is life, there is hope….so here’s the plan….. We will continue to use the same chemo drugs with a different delivery system. The new delivery is via a chemo maintenance pill every 12 hours, say 8 AM and 8 PM for example. The pill passes through my system until it gets to my liver where it is absorbed slowly over a 12 hour period. 

Of course, all chemo seems to have side effects. The doctor doesn’t expect me to acquire new symptoms since I had relatively few problems from IV treatments. What we might expect, he said, is diarrhea, mouth sores, and dry, dry skin to the point where it peels. Delightful!     The good news is that all of the symptoms can be treated with the right medicine or lotion. LOTS of lotion!

Although I will be receiving the same chemo drug, the delivery system is new and Dr. Berry may have to tweak here and there. He’s going to start me on a moderate dosage. Based on my body’s response, we may switch to the higher dosage which Doc feels will be more effective. So, as of Monday, I will officially be in maintenance therapy.

What is Maintenance Therapy?

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 05/2022

Maintenance therapy is the ongoing treatment of cancer with medication after the cancer has responded to the first recommended treatment. Maintenance therapy, sometimes called continuous therapy, is used for the following reasons:

• To prevent the cancer’s return
• To delay the growth of advanced cancer after the initial treatment

Maintenance therapy can be given for long periods of time in either of these situations.

Class dismissed. I’m learning this stuff right along side you.

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The best part of today was after I asked Dr. Berry is I could “ring the bell.” RInging the bell in the chemo room is reserved for anyone who is stopping treatment…hopefully, because they are in remission but in my case because I am done with the traditional treatment. (I’m not sure if the second case is a “thing,”” but Doctor and staff seemed happy to oblige me). I got hugs from all my nurses, one of whom used a bubble blower to add to the festivity. I won’t miss the treatment, but I’ll miss the ladies and will stop in to say hi whenever I’m getting blood drawn or taking a scan.

Back at home, my enthusiasm waned as last night’s cherry pie did a number on my digestive system. I had asked Hans to pick up an apple pie and he thought he had BUT…The Cherry pie he bought by mistake looked so delicious. When will I learn? It’s 5 pm and the worst of it is gone. Cherry pie is officially on my “do not eat” list. Apple pie it is!