Thursday, January 6, 2011

It was a long day yesterday. Left for the hospital at 8AM and got home at 7PM. Most of the day was spent waiting. Arrived in Infusion Therapy at 9AM to have them insert the IV for test, etc. Unfortunately the tests require a larger gauge needle then I usually get for chemo. Took two nurses and two tries but we finally got it placed. Part of the problem is that they don't want you to eat or drink before tests and I was dehydrated so it was even harder to get the needle in my arm. Needless to say my arm still hurts.

Once the needle was inserted headed down to nuclear medicine for PET scan. They inject you with a radio active substance and then you have to sit for 1.5 hours while it circulates through your body. Mark was able to be in the same room but was behind a lead screen to protect him (so what does that mean for me???). Then its on to the scanning room where you lie on the table for about 45 minutes while they insert you into a tube (similar to a CAT scan) and take pictures.

Then on to Radiology for the Brain MRI. Had to wait 1.5 hours because they were backed up so by the time they were ready for me I was in rare form. Fortunately the Tech was really nice and funny so I calmed down quickly. 45 minutes of being shoved into a tube and I was done and ready for chemo.

Back up to Infusion Therapy where we waited another 60 minutes before a chair opened up. Chemo went well (even the two injections in my butt). Talked them into letting me have the Zometa (bone strengthener) next week. I had too much stuff running through my system already!

By the time I was done with chemo the doctor came in with my results. Nice thing about U of C is that they get the reports almost instantly so no waiting. The PET Scan showed "significant reduced activity" from the last scan. Looks like the cancer is shrinking and the treatments are working!!! Brain Scan showed nothing up there (ha ha). Actually showed "evidence of medical treatment" i.e. scare tissue, but no active cancer cells!!!! This good news however brings the fact that I will continue the current chemo regiment for the next 12 weeks when they will do more testing to see if any progress.

All and all I am excited about the results. I'm trying not to get too excited as I know how quickly things could change. I credit the progress in part to my great doctors but more importantly to my family and friends who have stood besides me and sent me tons of positive energy, prayers and good thoughts. I thank you all! I couldn't do this without all of your support.