And then, there were none...
Thursday, November 15, 2007 by ShawnieMac
spots on the liver, that is...
Well, there's one tiny spot left, but according to the PET/CT report, it's about 11mm and shows NO hypermetabolic activity, and wasn't even significant enough to mention in the body of the report. In other words...
THE SHIT IS UNDER CONTROL!!!!
That's right, under control, the doctor says. Praise the Lord and pass the wine...
He came into the room, and immediately said, "It's good news!" Good news. We love good news. Good news makes the twitching and the tearing and the wigging and the stomaching and the atrocious fingernailing and the bloating (well, maybe not the bloating) worthwhile. AND, those mystery masses in the abdominal region? You know, the ones that felt like they were shrinking, but then I didn't think they were shrinking? Well, they didn't shrink much at all, but this means that they are most likely NOT even cancerous!! If the chemo shrunk/eliminated the liver spots, then if these alien objects were cancerous, the chemo would have shrunk them as well. No shrinkage most likely = not cancerous. We both cried, but finally, tears of elation. Again, thank the Lord and pass the wine...
Someone up there is listening...
So, yeah. This is good. This is hugely good. Dr. C is an aggressive oncologist, so he wants me to finish out the course of chemo, which is fine. Eight more weeks I can handle (ugh, gag, when is it OVER) and then I can go out into the world and be healthy and hairy all over again. And hope and pray that it doesn't come back. At least not for a long while...
I'll be going back to the Mayo Clinic - Dr. C wants to get those things out of the abdominal region. Hell, I don't need them in there, they're not doing me any good. The miracle cysts that could have saved my life... what a concept. I go back to see Dr. Magrina on November 26, and discuss the next steps with him from that point on. My guess is that I'll probably have surgery of some type, hopefully laproscopic and non-invasive, sometime in January. I'm actually looking forward to getting those alien beings out of there.
I feel like I just bought some more time... I feel like I did something right... I feel like I owe so much to all those people who hoped and prayed and believed and knew that an outcome other than this just wasn't up for discussion (right Liz?). It never was. I feel like I couldn't have done it without the love and support and never-wavering friendship and companionship of the person I was fortunate enough to marry. And his incredible family who has wrapped their arms around me and treated me like one of their own. And mine, of course. I could thank people forever, and it wouldn't even scratch the surface of the love of friends and family and the kindness of strangers I have received. I can just hope that they know that they made a difference. Because I know they have made a difference.
I suppose I'm on the victory lap now... and I'm looking forward to the hustle and bustle of the holidays and all the festivities and distractions that will make the time simply fly by. I'm looking forward to waking up in Greg's arms on December 24 and bundling up and walking out into the cold for the third year and gazing out over the South Rim. Knowing that the world out there is so much bigger than I am and that I am so fortunate to be present in this space and time to enjoy it all and that I am fortunate enough to have taken the steps to ensure that whatever time I have on this earth, I'm going to make the most of it. And that I'll have known what it's like to live. To really live. And to love. Really, really love.
This is what it's all about.
Now, it's time to find a cure.
Well, there's one tiny spot left, but according to the PET/CT report, it's about 11mm and shows NO hypermetabolic activity, and wasn't even significant enough to mention in the body of the report. In other words...
THE SHIT IS UNDER CONTROL!!!!
That's right, under control, the doctor says. Praise the Lord and pass the wine...
He came into the room, and immediately said, "It's good news!" Good news. We love good news. Good news makes the twitching and the tearing and the wigging and the stomaching and the atrocious fingernailing and the bloating (well, maybe not the bloating) worthwhile. AND, those mystery masses in the abdominal region? You know, the ones that felt like they were shrinking, but then I didn't think they were shrinking? Well, they didn't shrink much at all, but this means that they are most likely NOT even cancerous!! If the chemo shrunk/eliminated the liver spots, then if these alien objects were cancerous, the chemo would have shrunk them as well. No shrinkage most likely = not cancerous. We both cried, but finally, tears of elation. Again, thank the Lord and pass the wine...
Someone up there is listening...
So, yeah. This is good. This is hugely good. Dr. C is an aggressive oncologist, so he wants me to finish out the course of chemo, which is fine. Eight more weeks I can handle (ugh, gag, when is it OVER) and then I can go out into the world and be healthy and hairy all over again. And hope and pray that it doesn't come back. At least not for a long while...
I'll be going back to the Mayo Clinic - Dr. C wants to get those things out of the abdominal region. Hell, I don't need them in there, they're not doing me any good. The miracle cysts that could have saved my life... what a concept. I go back to see Dr. Magrina on November 26, and discuss the next steps with him from that point on. My guess is that I'll probably have surgery of some type, hopefully laproscopic and non-invasive, sometime in January. I'm actually looking forward to getting those alien beings out of there.
I feel like I just bought some more time... I feel like I did something right... I feel like I owe so much to all those people who hoped and prayed and believed and knew that an outcome other than this just wasn't up for discussion (right Liz?). It never was. I feel like I couldn't have done it without the love and support and never-wavering friendship and companionship of the person I was fortunate enough to marry. And his incredible family who has wrapped their arms around me and treated me like one of their own. And mine, of course. I could thank people forever, and it wouldn't even scratch the surface of the love of friends and family and the kindness of strangers I have received. I can just hope that they know that they made a difference. Because I know they have made a difference.
I suppose I'm on the victory lap now... and I'm looking forward to the hustle and bustle of the holidays and all the festivities and distractions that will make the time simply fly by. I'm looking forward to waking up in Greg's arms on December 24 and bundling up and walking out into the cold for the third year and gazing out over the South Rim. Knowing that the world out there is so much bigger than I am and that I am so fortunate to be present in this space and time to enjoy it all and that I am fortunate enough to have taken the steps to ensure that whatever time I have on this earth, I'm going to make the most of it. And that I'll have known what it's like to live. To really live. And to love. Really, really love.
This is what it's all about.
Now, it's time to find a cure.
OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!
That is the BEST news EVER!!!!
WOOOOHOOOOOOO!
Praise the Lord and pass the wine, indeed!!!
just think. it wasn't long ago that we were convinced this was ovarian cancer. : )
so. happy. for. you!
I am so glad to be able to hug your fuzzy little head and that guy you drag along with you tonight... :)
ahhhh. wonderful, beautiful.. perfect words to my tired ears on a Friday evening!!!!
You are amazing...
When I read your update, I had tears streaming down my face...I am so happy for you, and thankful that you have made it through this-again!...Funny, I've never met you, but feel like you are a good friend-god bless Diaryland for that!...I have been sad when you were sad, and happy when you have been happy...Thank you for allowing me into part of your life, and letting me get to know you...I admire your courage and strength, and your positive attitude...Sending you lots of love and happy thoughts...Oh, I am doing a happy dance as soon as I post this!...
Ali
I was a little cranky about waking up at 6 this morning because someone forgot to turn off the alarm, but after your wonderful news, all the crankiness is gone. I am so happy for you, Jen!