Last week's marathon of scans resulted in a good consult with the oncologist. In short:
1. Increased activity in the liver with two larger tumors, the largest being 1.8 cm (.7 inch). There are also many (more than 30) smaller tumors.
2. Increased activity in ribs and right shoulder blade. Stable everywhere else.
3. NO BRAIN METS! Headaches are most likely a combination of treatment side effects, anemia and aging issues relating to the broken vertebra and radiation I had to my neck three years ago.
4. Stable disease throughout the spine with no change since last scan.
I just completed my third week of the new chemotherapy. My hair is falling out very quickly and I've taken to wearing hats and turbans to avoid hair falling into everything. I will most likely have my head shaved at some point in the next couple of weeks.
The loss of my hair does NOT indicate that I'm getting worse. It does reflect a change in treatment, but all early signs are that this treatment is working! My pain level is nowhere near what it used to be and my liver functions have returned to normal. I mentioned that I was "cautiously optimistic" and my oncologist replied, "I am cautiously optimistic as well, with more emphasis on optimistic."
While I still get very tired, I am feeling better than I have in months.
I am grateful for a medical team that doesn''t give up. I am grateful for the HUGE number of people who love me and support me and who are right here with me at all times, emotionally, mentally and physically.
Mostly, I am grateful for God who remains constant, regardless of my moodiness and lack of understanding. I don't pretend to grasp any sense of purpose in my having this disease. I do know that God is not some vending machine or magic genie granting wishes voiced in the form of prayers. God is God and God is good regardless of my health.
I still have cancer. I still have God. I know which one is greater. I know which one defines me. Just in case you don't know, it's not the cancer.
1. Increased activity in the liver with two larger tumors, the largest being 1.8 cm (.7 inch). There are also many (more than 30) smaller tumors.
2. Increased activity in ribs and right shoulder blade. Stable everywhere else.
3. NO BRAIN METS! Headaches are most likely a combination of treatment side effects, anemia and aging issues relating to the broken vertebra and radiation I had to my neck three years ago.
4. Stable disease throughout the spine with no change since last scan.
I just completed my third week of the new chemotherapy. My hair is falling out very quickly and I've taken to wearing hats and turbans to avoid hair falling into everything. I will most likely have my head shaved at some point in the next couple of weeks.
The loss of my hair does NOT indicate that I'm getting worse. It does reflect a change in treatment, but all early signs are that this treatment is working! My pain level is nowhere near what it used to be and my liver functions have returned to normal. I mentioned that I was "cautiously optimistic" and my oncologist replied, "I am cautiously optimistic as well, with more emphasis on optimistic."
While I still get very tired, I am feeling better than I have in months.
I am grateful for a medical team that doesn''t give up. I am grateful for the HUGE number of people who love me and support me and who are right here with me at all times, emotionally, mentally and physically.
Mostly, I am grateful for God who remains constant, regardless of my moodiness and lack of understanding. I don't pretend to grasp any sense of purpose in my having this disease. I do know that God is not some vending machine or magic genie granting wishes voiced in the form of prayers. God is God and God is good regardless of my health.
I still have cancer. I still have God. I know which one is greater. I know which one defines me. Just in case you don't know, it's not the cancer.
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