Results!

Ok, I have now been properly scanned. Everything is going well! We asked the doctor to look at the PET scan, it is this hovering gray body body with any bad spots as black. The first PET scan he pulled up was the last one and I almost was crazy, he didn't tell us he was pulling that up first and I thought, this drug is doing a bunch of nothing. Haha! He got us, but he wasn't doing that on purpose. Then he opened the PET scan from this past visit and you could totally tell it has gotten a ton better! Yay! So I received treatment yesterday that was number three in this protocol, half way. That feels good. It does go by pretty fast. We stay busy and don't focus on it so it is good.

It is weird, we always have to wait on the doctor. Who hasn't experienced the doctor's office wait? Well I turn into a bunch of nerves every moment that he is late past the appointment. Really that only happens with tests. You wait and take drugs, hope for the best, and now the moment of truth is so close, but there is still a few uncountable moments of waiting. It reminds me of those high school tests I had to take and pass to graduate, the pins and needles of the waiting and anticipation to see if you passed and don't have to take any more. And I do consider this PET scan testing pass/fail. I mean really it is either all gone or not. Pass or fail. :)

In any case, I am happy. I thank you for your prayers. Praise be to God for his mercy as He is visibly healing me now.

Tests and Chemo!

Tomorrow is going to be a fun, fun, fun (extra fun) day. We are off to Philadelphia again. Tomorrow early and me fasting for my PET scan. Bleh. Well I take that back, I can have eggs and breakfast meat at like 6:00 am. Then on Wednesday we get to talk to the doctor about the scan and the effectiveness of this current course of treatment. So the plan: get radioactive tomorrow, measure it, talk to the doc, see the scan, hope the chemo is working as it should be, and then get some more chemo! Yum!

Ahhh, the Pink Ribbon

And the ranting continues... the pink ribbon. Not only do I have cancer, but they picked pink to represent it, and I absolutely HATE pink. As you can probably guess I do not have any pink ribbon accessories for that reason and for another reason I want to share with you here.

What I have noticed when I am with many people who have been stricken with cancer in general is that there is more focus on the disease than people. Meaning, many times when I ride to and from the CTCA I am in the car with folks who have cancer, which makes sense that is the focus of this hospital. More times than not the conversations start by talking about what someone has, and how they got to the CTCA. That's fine and certainly a common topic when at the CTCA, like most people talk weather, we all talk cancer. But this is what I hate about the focus of the pink ribbon and the disease, the people get lost. We talk so much about the disease and what harm it has caused, that sometimes I don't find out someone's name or they don't find out mine. That is why I stopped going to the Susan Komen runs because most folks identify themselves in the pink ribbon cancer society exclusive club. In case I haven't said it enough, I hate the cancer, my goal is to live without giving it the focus of my life, to live in a way to enjoy my life with or without cancer, and be identified separately, not by a pin or a disease.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I don’t know about you all, but I have certainly heard a lot about October being the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I know this month is tagged to really inform and make people in general aware of early detection of breast cancer makes for the best outcome. If you have read the earlier blog about how my cancer developed, and I did catch the cancer early, but I did decide to do things other than the ideal path of what the surgeon suggested when I was first diagnosed. After saying that, I want to sort of add a spin on the early detection model that has been developed (by who, Susan Komen, the cancer society?) I agree we all need to pay attention to our bodies and go to the doctor when necessary. I would just encourage anyone that goes because of a breast lump, and really wanted a biopsy or a mammogram, and all their doctor decided to do was watch it, to get what you want. The doctor is not the one in charge of your health, you are. At the end of the day you have to be happy with the outcome and the service you have received. You have to go home and deal with surgeries, pain, and/or side effects. The doctor works for you, and can sit there and sufficiently answer any questions you have to your liking because that is their job. I know I am sort of spouting off now, but if someone does not take charge of their own health in the room with their doctor, or does not make an effort to understand all of the nuances of what is available, or is happening, perhaps you will look back and be unhappy with what you have decided. I hear people say things like I would just get them both cut off, they are just useless anyway. Perhaps, but that may be a decision made in fear, and may cause regret. I am just encouraging you all to be aware, but also never be scared or fearful, if God forbid you are in a serious health related issue. I say grab the bull by the horns and bend it to your will, be empowered, and get what you want!

Another Chemo!

Yesterday was the second chemo treatment in the series of six. It was definitely uneventful, meaning very routine. I like to go to the doctor and have it be routine. Outside routine means something is up. I feel pretty good. I don't know how to explain chemo effects, I think maybe I feel a little run over, or like I am just recovering from the flu, not a lot of energy, soreness, and such. Each day that I am farther away from the initial dose I feel better and better, except for if I don't take my claritin of course!

Next time we go, I get to do another PET scan. They are going to determine if this drug is operating as they expect it too. I will be expecting it too, AND for some positive results. :)