CancerBlog

Saw Dr. K. today and let him know my surgery was scheduled for 10 February 2009. He said that’s too far in the future and wants me to reschedule for as soon as possible.

When I called Dr. M.’s office, they were able to fit me in on 23 January for the biopsy.

Went to see Dr. M. today and am now scheduled for surgery on 10 February 2009.

Had another scan on November 12, and Dr. K. said the area that was lit up by the dye was larger than it was earlier in the year. He definitely wants me to get a biopsy.

Today I met with the Dr. M., the oncology surgeon. He said he would probably just like to go ahead and do the biopsy.

I need to decide if I want to go ahead and have it done. He’s on vacation next month and will get back to me when he returns. I’ll talk to Dr. K. and get his thoughts on it.

Back on the 13th of this month, I had my semi-annual PET/CT scan. Today I saw Dr. K, my oncologist. He said the dye lit up part of the lymph node in my left pelvic area. He wants me to talk to a surgeon to see if he wants to do a biopsy and maybe an ultrasound first.

…and still cancer-free. Oncologists never use the word “cured,” because there’s no way to tell if cancer is in remission or gone permanently. So they would most likely say I’m in a remission period. It feels great to be back to my old self.

The PET/CT scans are now down to twice a year, and next year should be an annual test.

I wanted to again say thanks to all of those who showed their support during my treatment and recovery and didn’t think cancer is as contagious as the plague – Sandi, Drew, my Mom, Amanda, Gwen, my health care professionals, the kind folks at the oncology center, those who I’ve thanked in my earlier posts, and many others.

I’ll close the blog with three words:

Never Lose Hope.

Dr. Y. says my R.A. is still well under control from the high dosages of Rituxan I’ve received through chemotherapy. He doesn’t think it’s necessary to start Methotrexate yet and wants me to resume taking Celebrex for stiffness or joint pain.

First day back at work. I’ve been able to adjust to sleeping at night and had no trouble getting up early.

More great news – my scan was completely clear. No questionable areas whatsoever.

My next scan will be in October.

I originally made the appointment for this PET scan for the afternoon because I’m still having trouble falling asleep at night.

I didn’t find out until later that I had to fast for five hours prior to the test. Had I known, I’d have made it for early morning and forced myself out of bed.

It went okay though. I’ll find out the results next Monday morning.

Saw the oncologist today. He’s okay with the decision not to have me undergo radiation therapy.

He asked me how I felt and I told him that my energy was slowly coming back, and the headaches have pretty much gone away.

My hair is starting to grow back and the only real difficulty I’m still having is sleeping at night.

He okayed me to go back to work on July 10. That sure is great news!

I need to have a final PET scan in one month and then a follow-up to discuss it.

If all looks well then he’ll just monitor me with scans every three months for awhile, then every six months, then once a year.