...And the Results Are In

I had the Brain MRI and CAT scan along with the usual bloodwork at Rush today.  It's all good news.  The CAT scan showed no change in the lung tumor and the MRI showed a bit more shrinkage in the lesions in the brain.  All the bloodwork came back normal.  I couldn't really ask for more.

So we will continue on this course - Tarceva every other day.  I'm still working on eating more (I never in my life thought I'd have to write those words!) and doc seems to think that if my appetite hasn't come back by now, it probably won't.  I'm going to talk to Dr. Angelopolous, my neurologist, at our appointment Friday about cutting back on the anti-seizure meds to see if that might help the appetite (plus I've been on them over 6 months and haven't had a seizure since the original one in early July).  There are also some drugs that Dr. B can prescribe to stimulate appetite but I'd really like to find a different way.  The wine before dinner seems to be helping.

In a couple months, Dr. B wants me to have a PET scan along with the brain MRI to make sure the cancer has stayed contained and consult with Dr. Diaz, a radiation oncologist, to evaluate if we should use focused radiation on either the brain, lung or both.  Once we get to that place, we'll have to do more research on the best focused radiation approach to use.  Rush uses one form of stereotactic radiation, but there are several forms, each with different pros and cons we will want to look into - but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.  I asked Dr. B why we would want to do focused radiation if we are still seeing progress with the Tarceva alone.  He said that typically the cancer cells eventually develop a resistance to the treatment (usually around 12 months into the treatment) and we want to get ahead of it and see if we can eliminate the tumors.  I'm all for that, as long as the risks and possible side effects are minimal. 

Regarding my hair, I now have a reverse mohawk with dark baby-down hair everywhere except right down the middle, where there is an inch-wide stripe that is shorter and more like stubble.  But we are making progress, which seems to be the theme of this blog.  And progress is good!

Tomorrow's scans postponed 1 week

Due to some nasty weather forecast for the next couple days here in the Chicago area, my doctor's appointment and scans that were scheduled for tomorrow have been postponed until next Tuesday, February 8 in the morning.

Florida Getaway

Doug and I just returned Saturday night from a six-day vacation with my sister Deborah where we visited her dear friend Maureen in Sanibel Island, Florida.  It was restorative and relaxing and wonderful.  The weather was even warmer than it had been (low- to mid-70's during the day) so Doug and I were able to run outside on four of our six days there.  There was still some humidity that adds a little challenge to the runs, but it felt so good to be outside without layers of clothing!

I think the trip was good for my hair as well because all four of us are certain that it grew while we were there.  I now have dark peach fuzz over all but the very top of my cranium, which is still a bit stubbly.  I am happy to finally see some progress!

Unfortunately, my appetite didn't improve significantly and I had three mother hens watching my every mouthful for signs of progress.  Though I didn't gain any weight during the trip, I didn't lose anymore either.  Maureen was a great host in making sure there were plenty of tasty and tempting items available for meals and snacks.

It was such a pleasure to just relax and not worry about schedules or plans.  We just hung out and did whatever we felt like doing when we wanted to do it.  And saw lots of great sunsets on the water.  I hated to come back to the cold.

A week from today is the next set of scans.  And then Wednesday will be an appointment with the neurologist.  I haven't had any seizures since that first one in July and the levels of the drug in my bloodstream are good so I am hoping to get her to consider reducing the anti-seizure medication since I think that perhaps it might be contributing to the reduced appetite.  We'll see.

January Check Up

I had my monthly bloodwork and visit with Dr. Bonomi at Rush this afternoon.  All the bloodwork remains normal and everything seems to be fine. 

My appetite has continued to be weak and I still get pretty tired by the end of each day, but we are not sure if I have a cold or if it is a side effect of the Tarceva.  Dr. Bonomi suspects that it's the Tarceva.  I am staying on the every-other-day dose, at least for the time being.  I might try to drink some wine with meals more often to stimulate my appetite.  The doc said that is probably the best way to go in terms of an appetite stimulant - it could be worse!  :)

I still have just a little stubble on my scalp and I am starting to get impatient for hair - it is really chilly on the head and neck when the temperature outside is freezing!  But both the doc and his nurse, Irene, say that the speed (or lack thereof) of my hair growth is pretty typical.  Aaaarrggghhhh! and Brrrrrrrrr!

Tuesday, February 1 will be another round with the MRI and CAT scans.  I don't think there will be much other news between now and then.

Happy Holidaze

All is well and Sundance and I are both doing fine.

I just wanted all of you - my army of supporters - to know how much it has meant to me to have your support during the past four months since my cancer diagnosis.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart (and Doug's too) - you cannot imagine how much of a difference you have made and how much you have helped to keep our spirits up.

Enjoy your holidays however you celebrate them.  But celebrate - don't forget to find some joy in this hectic holiday season.  I can personally attest to the fact that looking for good things never fails to deliver and that it provides the fuel to keep pressing forward. 

I am very grateful for the many good things in my life - many of them are the people reading this blog.   You bring me joy.

And finally, best wishes to all of you for a happy and healthy new year!

Quick Update on Sundance

Since I mentioned Sundance's illness, I should also provide an update on her condition.  She is now responding well to the medication to treat her Addison's disease and has returned to her normal state of high energy, activity and entertainment for her loving owners.

I think our household is finding its way back to something we can call a normal state of being.  Whew!

Mammogram and Ultrasound

I had a mammogram at Highland Park hospital today since the technicians at Rush saw some density in my left breast during the check CT last week and they wanted it checked out.  I should state up front that nobody was overly concerned about this density, they just want to be thorough and make sure they don't miss anything.

When I was all gowned up and ready to be smooshed, the technician at HP said she couldn't do the mammogram without the films from the CT so that they could see what they were looking for.  This was the first I heard of needing those films for this appointment, but I had them at home.  I convinced the tech to go ahead with the mammogram and I would bring the films and hang around until they looked at them in case they needed to take more images.

Well, I brought the films on a CD as well as the technician's written report from last weeks chest CT and I waited.... and waited... and waited...  Once the doctor who looks at the scans was available, he couldn't get the computer to read the CD so they had to bring it to another department.  About an hour and half later they said they wanted to do an ultrasound to be sure there was nothing amiss.  So I gowned up again and had the ultrasound of my left breast. 

No surprise to me, they didn't find anything so all looks well.  They even mentioned to me that they could see the same density in the chest CT scan that Highland Park hospital performed in August and in my prior mammograms.  This whole thing felt like a big waste of time to me.  But I guess it is good that they are being so cautious and thorough.