This past week was a real Mother F**cker. Tuesday I had a Chest X-ray to rule out lung metastsis and to check on the status of my radiation damage to my right lung.
After that I went for an Ultrasound to check for liver lesions, which would be a sign of liver metastisis. I've been having pain on my right side. I can't sleep on it for longer than an hour or two without it aching, it aches throughout the day. So these are steps to take to investigate. My risk of recurrence is HIGH. They put it on every requisition form. I don't love seeing it.
Anyway that was Tuesday. Same day results come for two types of people: 1) those who are so annoying the doctors just want them off their back because they know they'll never stop calling and 2) the patients who the Drs know have anxiety and need to know or they'll be living in hell. I am both 1 and 2. So I got a same day call about the chest xray.
It shows several surgical clips. No pulmonary nodules. No pleural effusions. No adenopathy. It says my heart is normal size. Which I found lovely although by Care Bear standards not overly complimentary. But in this context....good. Overall impression:
No evidence of metastisis. GOOD.
Now I was to wait for the Ultrasound. Most of us have had ultrasounds....we know the people doing it can see exactly what's going on but can't tell you. Being me....I try to ask little questions like "how are things then...." hoping they'll tell me something like "looks good" or "you don't have cancer anymore". Rarely do I get any response besides, I'm legally not allowed to comment. SO annoying.
So then I waited for the results from that. Decided to take my kids to the beach to watch some joy, to try to unwind and be positive. The call came at 6pm. I sat on the beach watching my kids and their friends run in and out of a just thawed Lake Ontario, squealing with delight and shock.
Doctor says.....No focal or solid cystic masses in liver. No evidence of metastisis. GOOD. It appears that my liver sustained damage from chemo, and all the medications that I've had to take. It's reversible but it means I have to be gentle to my liver. Work on losing a few more pounds that I've put on from the hormone therapy.
So all good as of Wednesday. Bone scan was Friday so that hung over my head. I had to go at 8am, they injected me with dye and then I was to go home and come back at 11am after my bones absorbed the dye. It would show up on the scan and indicate areas of concern. For those who haven't had a bone scan, here is what the machine looks like.
You get slid in and it closes in all around you for about 20 min and you slowly exit as it scans every bone. It's not very relaxing. Anyway, I'm getting used to these confined spaces and tests. I am grateful that they're accesible to me.
My doctor being wonderful as he is, told me he'd call me at 4:30 to let me know the results so I wouldn't have to wait all weekend. The call came. He didn't bother with pleasantries he simply said. It all looks good.
So.....here I am now. Next scans are planned for July. Then again in December. I fell off the keto wagon again this week with the stress. It's hard to get on and stay on during times of great stress. Tomorrow I begin. Tonight I will have a little tiny slice of Jason's birthday cake and look around and feel so grateful for my life. For Birthdays and for each day.
It was a tough week but I'm still here. One day at a time.
Good news and I'm so grateful. I can relax a little until my next round in July.
We all have just one day, and that's today. Whether we get good news or bad news or no news at all we can decide how we want to live today.
Today. I celebrate a good man and clear scans and appreciate every moment.
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