S1Ep5 Chemo Part 2 - EGFR Inhibitors: Rash and Resilience

Welcome to the fifth episode of Care Partner's Compass: Navigating CRC with the 2nd episode of chemo.

This episode is what happened after the 1st pivot (Episode 4) and 3 liver mets popped back up and had to be dealt with using FOLFIRI and EGFR inhibitors (specifically panitumimab or Vectibix). Supporting your loved one while they are on chemo, especially one with such visible side effects, can be challenging.

Full transcription can be found on the website (http://carepartnerscompass.transistor.fm)

Host, producer/editor, and composer: Elsa Lankford

Tina - thank you so much again for all your help. Getting your feedback is so helpful.

And to Kristine (now she knows that I put a little message for her in the podcast info), I love you so much. I'm not being very creative with this, I just love you more than anything.

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Helpful links related to this episode:

• Earth Wind and Fire's September song - we played this a lot on September 21st 2022, and September 21st 2023 as well.
• What's Next - Kristine's Spotify playlist for the first pivot. She creates a new playlist for each new part of this cancer journey. I had this last time, but these songs were the soundtrack of these 10 rounds of chemo, including dancing in the infusion room, and dance parties at home.
• NCI Cancer Centers - for stage 4 cancer, if you are in the US you will want to at least get a second or third opinion, if not have your care go through a NCI center.
• (01:54) - Chemo ideally to shrink stage 4 tumors as part of a plan that needs more options and opinions
• (02:53) - Kristine's first chemo line
• (03:45) - EGFR inhibitor intro
• (05:23) - Kristine's EGFR side effects were very visible
• (09:01) - Going back to chemo after a pivot
• (09:56) - EGFR side effects as a care partner
• (11:19) - Looking into other liver procedures and options
• (12:18) - The good effects of this chemo combo
• (13:58) - Proton power
• (15:21) - Having the information is so important