One Step Forward, One Step Back

I just had my latest hospital visit today.  Most everything is fine but there is another bump in the road. 

 

Doug and I had hoped for stability, but there has been slightly more growth in the cancer in the lungs.  It is not a lot more or a lot larger than the last scan.  Although Dr. Bonomi offered us a few other alternative treatments, none of them were  guaranteed to have better results but would be far more uncomfortable for me with the side effects and frequency of the treatments.  I have opted to stay the course with my current treatment regime.  Even if the cancer continues to progress, it will be slow and most of it seems to be around the periphery of the lungs so it is unlikely that I will notice it or that it will affect me in any tangible way.  There are some really promising treatments with a 3^rd generation version of Tarceva that is supposed to come out this summer.  We are hoping that will be a treatment that will really push back the cancer.  In the meantime, this one is good enough and I can enjoy a good quality of life, which is the most important thing to me.  Even Dr. Bonomi supports this decision and thinks it is best to stay the course and wait it out until these more promising options become available. 

 

I've resigned myself to the fact that this cancer will be with me for a long time and that there will always be ups and downs and so I am not letting this bother me.  I'm feeling good right now and that's what matters the most.  Doug and I just had a fabulous celebration with friends and family for our 50th birthdays.  We are 6 days apart in age and the celebration lasted over a week and a half.  And I felt good for every minute of it!

 

Thank you as always for your continued support.

 

All the best,

 

DonnaLee

Good Report to Start a Great Getaway

Today's visit to the hospital went well with all the appointments going smoothly and all the results being positive.

I had an MRI for the brain that showed stability.  My blood work was mostly in the normal ranges and anything outside of normal was only slightly so.  Dr. Bonomi is very happy with all the reports. 

Armed with all that good news, I can leave Doug and the dogs with a clear conscious as I head out for a week in the sun to visit my parents and get away from the bitter Midwest winter.   We celebrated our good news with Doug's folks this evening.  They will stay at our house with the dogs while I am away and Doug works every day.  Many thanks to them for providing this help!

There is more celebrating ahead as Doug and I both turn 50 later this month.  Something I used to dread, but now am very thankful to be able to celebrate!

I've had my last chemo in my 40's.  The next one is the day after my birthday!