One of the pleasant advantages of immunotherapy compared to chemo therapy has been the relative lack of nausea. Typically the anti-nausea meds that are given prior to the immunotherapy infusion have been sufficient to stave off nausea.
That changed 3 weeks ago. In the middle of the infusion, Penny started having nausea, and was given some additional nausea medication. Yesterday's infusion produce more nausea, nausea that has persisted into today. It isn't clear why there has been this change or whether the change will become the new normal. For now we are just trying to get through this period of nausea. She's cancelled her appointments for today while we see if we can get things under control.
In other news, Penny saw two different eye specialists in the last three weeks. The verdict seems to be (a) there are no retinal issues (a potential side effect of the immunotherapy), (b) she has cataracts, but they are not far enough along to require surgery at this point, (c) her prescription has not really changed, so new glasses won't help, and (d) her chronic dry eye seems to be worse. So for the moment we are trying some new measures to combat the dry eye. This is mostly good news -- but it also means there isn't a quick fix for the vision problems.
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Addendum on Friday morning: By late afternoon yesterday things started improving, and after a good night last night Penny is looking like herself again today. So we seem to have gotten through the worst of this round of treatment.
Comments
Chriss Pruim: thank you for the update. will be praying for the nausea to subside both now and for future infusions ๐
Patricia Boer Fischer : Thank-Thank-U So Much 4the Updates on Penny, The eye ๐ issues r Some of the Same 1's I did go through 2, Prayin 4Ya'll & Thinkin of Ya's Often, Sendin Lots of Hugg's, Love โค๏ธ &;Prayers ๐ Ur Waaaaay!! Patricia Fischer Ps. Thank-U So Much 4the Beautiful Wind Chimes on b1/2 of My Mom it Truly Means a lot!!!
Laura DeHaan: As always, these updates are so beneficial to all of us who are praying for Penny!
Kris Buth: Thank you so much for this update. I will now "update" my prayers for you and Penny.
Susan Langeland: Praying for you today.
Sandra Kay Navis: Nausea is the pits! Iโll be praying for a settled stomach and watery eyesโฆ..
Alisa Tigchelaar: Thanks for the update, Randy. Praying for former and new concerns as I type and through the day today. For dear Penny and for the family. Bendiciones,
Karen Ludema: Thanks for the update. Will continue to pray.
Teri Warners: Glad to hear Penny is feeling better today, but praying that nausea is NOT the new normal! Hope you both can rest and enjoy the weekend!
Chriss Pruim: So glad to hear that she is feeling better!