I had a PET scan on the 3rd of January and then an Alimta treatment on the 4th (see the awesome pictorial above). Then, last week I visited my Oncologist for the results of the PET scan and also to elect a new Oncologist. My Dr. is moving to another territory. He will be sorely missed. The new Dr. is one that I am also familiar with, however, and I know that he is a very professional and capable Medical person.
Anyway, my current physician noted that the chemo had failed and that I had several tumors. He looked very serious. Then, he had an "Aha" moment and he smiled. "They have come back to the exact same places!" He then pointed to the fact that the previous round of treatments that began in January of 2012 were effective in defeating said tumors. So, he felt that everything would be fine.
I have read that 40% of Lung Cancers return in the area of the brain. I also have heard of it mutating and invading the liver, pancreas or other organs. And, of course it could have spread to the bones or even been more pervasive. So, I guess he is right to be optimistic when he saw that it only came back as a Doppelganger. It returned to the original scene of the grime. I was sure I wasn't out of the woods, just yet. I was looking for signs that it may have gone somewhere else. To come back and try to set-up housekeeping in the same locale was foolhardy on Big C's part....or was it? Is it a feint? A parry? A clever ruse in order to invade another part of my Clown? We will see. And...we will be vigilant...
I concurred with the Doctor, but that didn't stop the tears from welling in my eyes. Or the utter realization that what had made most of last year a blurry memory would now repeat itself for 2013. And, I had just started back to work and had begun to feel normal....aside from the incessant fatigue, that is.
I have printed out the first four months of last years blog and am going to study them to see what I did right and how I handled the various side-effects. I sort of remember the Chemo-brain and how I had to carry a memo-pad about with me to let me know where I was going and what I was doing. I remember starting the year taking 2-mile walks and by April I could only walk 50 yards. I remember how elated I was when I was able to walk the entire Parade route in Fairborn for the 4th of July. And, I remember the sporadic stabbing sensations as the Chemo hunted fast-dividing cells and destroyed them (normal and suspicious ones). I remember changing my diet and how a boiled egg in the morning gave me energy for the day. I remember how long the Chemo took-- 5-7 hours. And, I remember my "every-chance-I-got Clowning" and my unwavering Trust in the Lord.
I feel I am back to Square One. It is exasperating but do-able.
I was starting to plan ahead and I will continue to do so. I was hoping to change this blog back to things of Mars and Clowning. I will. But, I will continue to log my experience with this disease so that others can see what they might encounter themselves or with a loved one. I have been following some other blogs and forums and it is helpful to know what to expect and to find inspiration from other people's battles.
It has taken me some time to write this and already I am tired. Hopefully I can write some good Mars stuff this week and some crazy Clown things....of course, I will be working, so I will need to stay focused and prioritize and get my procrastination asundered....(don't worry, Spell-check, I meant to use that word!)
Life IS Good....Life IS an adventure !!!
