Good News!

Seek not happiness too greedily, and be not fearful of happiness.
-- Lao-tzu

Wednesday, January 4, 2006
Five years ago: Seattle List
Six years ago: Nap Time
Seven years ago: Party Time

It's been a bit more than a month since my sixth chemo treatment. Chemo is never fun, but it could have been a lot worse! I had some very drowsy days after treatment at first, until we figured out that I didn't need to take all the benadryl that was recommended. Benadryl and most antihistamines knock me out for about twice as long as most people. I didn't have much nausea. I did get tired, though. My group of helpers were great last fall about taking care of grandson R---- during those times.

I did have one incident where I caught some bug after chemo and ended up sleeping for more than twenty four hours. Jack was naturally very concerned, and ended up waking me up and trying to talk to me in the middle of the night! I had a hard time getting out the right words when I was answering his questions. Luckily my sister Betsy was staying with us, and convinced him that I didn't need to go to the emergency room. By the next morning I was much closer to normal and was able to speak coherently.

My sixth treatment was delayed a few days because my blood counts were too low at pre-chemo testing the morning it was scheduled. I was bummed! I'd been trying hard to avoid having a transfusion or a certain shot that helps your blood cells -- both options are expensive! But we had to do the transfusion after all. They did it at the same treatment center where I'd been having chemo. It took just as long or longer as having the chemo would have! My tests were at an acceptable level a few days later. Indeed, Sasha the oncology nurse told me that they'd probably have gone ahead on the rescheduled day even if I wasn't quite there, because I wasn't going to have another chemo scheduled until after a second cat scan and seeing the doc again. I'd have had longer than usual to recover!

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So I did have that cat scan, after one misfire. The referral paperwork had December 26 written on it. I should have called to confirm but I didn't -- instead I just went down there. Oops! The radiologists were closed. I found out early on December 27 that I was scheduled for that very morning, so I was able to get there in time. The cat scan procedure is easy and not painful or scary. But I don't get any results until the doctor appointment today.

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So today Jack, Jane and I went to see the doctor. He asked me a few questions, did a very quick pelvic exam, and then we all met in the discussion room. GREAT NEWS! My blood levels are normal for the marker that identifies the cancer I have, and the cat scan report shows that almost every bad thing they found last August is gone or almost gone. There are a few areas that are iffy and could be either small bits of cancer remaining, or scarring from cancer. We'll rescan in two months and if they've grown (cancer) continue with treatment. If they haven't grown, great!

Jane was taking notes and wrote down every time the doc used the term "dramatic." Radiation treatment had been mentioned when my recurrence had first been found back in August, but the doctor doesn't see any need for this now. I'll be taking a pill daily and checking back for blood tests often. I left with the prescription and appointments for doc and cat scan in my hand.

So happy! We went back to drop off Jane, and pick up R---- who'd been spending the morning with Luke. Luke was surprised when R----- started telling us to go away, he wasn't ready to leave his buddy and the great toys! But R----- has had that reaction a few times when he's been at my sister's house recently so we expected it. He calmed down in a minute or so, and we ended up taking Luke out to lunch (Jane needed to work) at Kidd Valley where Luke, R---- and I lunched in October.