Today’s appointment was the earliest yet – 8 am. Originally it was 7:30! My dear friend Leslie drove in last night so she could come with me. She must be a good luck charm because everything went smoothly for once! Nurse Laura was able to draw blood easily and the results didn’t take forever to come back. I can’t remember the last time both of those things occurred in the same appointment!

Aaron joined me for the appointment with the P.A. and then Dr. Brufsky. My liver ultrasound came back fine, but my rising liver levels are an issue. Interestingly, today’s bloodwork showed that they dipped slightly. This adds credence to Dr. Brufsky’s theory that the Keytruda is causing my liver enzymes to rise – it’s been three weeks since my last Keytruda infusion.

He’s been talking with the hepatologist, who wants to order more specific bloodwork. If it’s determined that the Keytruda is at fault, then they will either lower the dose, or more likely, stop it altogether. I was originally supposed to be on it for a year, which meant stopping sometime in September. But Dr. Brufsky said that there are debates about how long to use it, so there’s no specific number of doses. I’ve had six months of it or 3/4 of the original plan, which he said is long enough to benefit. He reinforced that going off it would be ok.

In case the Taxol is at fault, today’s dose was lowered. I hope that means the side effects won’t be as bad. I meant to ask how much lower – 10%? 40%? I’m curious; I’ll have to ask next week.

Depending on what the bloodwork shows and how I’m doing, Dr. Brufsky might have to put me on steroids for up to a month. These particular steroids would help lower the liver levels. He’s hoping we won’t have to go this route since there are side effects. Since the numbers went down, he’s holding off. They also didn’t give me Keytruda today to see how this affects my numbers.

I finally got the radiation oncologist referral for the hospital near me; I called and they will get my records from Magee and then call about an appointment.

I’m in the homestretch; two to go!!