From the Doctor's Mouth to My Ears

It was so GREAT to hear the doctor tell me that there are NO signs of cancer!

I had triple contrast CT scans on Monday and yesterday I met with the oncologist.  I have to go back for CT scans every three months.

Very few people go through stage 4 cancer the way that I did.  I will always give God the glory for this miracle.  It was supposed to take me 4 to 5 years to get through this...IF I could get through it.  

I asked the doctor, if he had to guess, how long would he think I have had cancer.  He said that he likes to ask people what major event happened 4 years ago in their life.  I told him that my husband died 3 & 1/2 years ago.  He stated that was a large enough event to possibly cause this cancer for me.  He thinks it is a strong possibility that stress has caused this cancer.

He went on to tell me about a new study that one of his colleagues just finished with mice & stress & cancer.  He has been able to prove that mice with cancer cells in their body can fight the cancer if stress is removed and the ones with the stress added to their body develop cancer.

It is a huge stretch for an oncologist to tell a patient that they will not see the cancer return...if I stay positive, take care of my body & try to remain stress free.  That is what our final conversation was about. 

***please watch my blog for the next few weeks or so, I plan to post some reflections on what I would do differently & what decisions worked out to be the best***

Put Away the Big Guns!

The chemo treatments that I have received are considered the "Big Guns" of chemo.  This is a standard treatment for "Front-Line" chemo (first treatment).  If the cancer recurs then the doctor said that he would use more targeted therapies.  At this point many people hope to get into a clinical trial. 

Chemo stays in your body for quite some time and many patient report lingering side effects for up to 2 years.  Some side effects are permanent.  I hope the neuropathy in my fingers and toes goes away soon.

Since I am claiming myself as cured, I am not worried about a recurrence.  I just have to shake off that very LAST chemo treatment that I had two weeks ago.



 

Neulasta Is A Wicked Drug

If you think that chemo is rough...it is!  But it does not hold a candle to Neulasta.  This injection was given in my belly fat to increase my white blood cell count.  (I think I already told you that)

I was unprepared for the type of pain that was suggested I MIGHT have.

6 days after that shot I woke up to some serious pain, but I had no idea it would get worse.  I had to text my daughter to come take me to the ER.  I took a big ol' wonderful pain pill and waited.  By the time my daughter got back here, I was feeling a good bit better.  Then I made the mistake of letting the pain pill wear off.

The next day was not as painful, but the pain had spread to more bones:  my lower back, sternum, thighs, knees, arms, elbows, wrists and upper back.  I still needed pain pills.

The third day is much better, as I was able to get up and go to work.  I have very little pain as long as I do not stand up fast or lean over.  It seems that when my blood pressure changes the pain throbs through my body.  It is most scary when my chest hurts.  Some research indicates that all of this is normal.  It seems that many patients go to the hospital thinking they are having a heart attach. 

The most deadly issue is if the spleen swells and ruptures.  I have been pushing on that area and I don't seem to have a problem with my spleen.

The blessing is that my daughter stayed in bed with me all day.  Even better, she had a little precious kitten with her.  How can you be miserable with all of that curled up in bed with you.  It made terrible pain into one of the best days of my life.

I Spoke Too Soon

Wow!  The bone pain started this morning.  This is going to be a seriously rough day.  I need a nail to bight on.  Wow!

This too shall pass...I hope!

It Is Not Over Until It Is Over!

I am still trying to get through the effects of this last treatment.  I am not sure if the Neulasta injection is what is dragging me down or if my very low blood counts are doing it.  I am struggling to get my feet under me.  I am o.k. and feeling only slightly better each day.  As usual, the third day after chemo was the worst.

It would be ironic if I survive an incurable cancer and then die of an infection.  Infection is the biggest concern at this point.  Chemo really tears down your body's defenses.

I get CT scans in three weeks to confirm that there are not any signs of cancer.  I have been claiming cured and thanking God without 100% proof.  I am absolutely positive that the doctor is going to tell me that I am NED (no evidence of disease).  I am absolutely positive that this cancer is NOT coming back.  I don't care what medicine says about this type of cancer.  I am claiming a miracle.