Scan Results

Went in for blood work this a.m. in preparation for another week of chemo. I was anticipating seeing my oncologist in two days to discuss results of last week's scan. But my study coordinator stated that the doc wanted to see me prior to my next chemo treatment, just in case we needed to change the protocol based on scan results. So in the late a.m., I was squeezed into my oncologist's schedule.

The report showed improvement (i.e., reduction in size of tumors) in several areas: breast tissue (original tumor site), lymph, and liver. All of those areas show little, if any, tumor presence. No new growth. There were still anomalies in some areas of the bone.... in scapula (no change from before) and in the lower spine (no change). A new "shadow" appeared on a rib fairly close to the original tumor area. I had felt some soreness there earlier in the summer, which had dissipated. But there now appears to be "activity" there. I had felt that I had bruised that area when doing some gardening a couple of months ago. The doc said that inflammation due to injury often looks the same as cancer activity on a scan; so it is possible that this area might not be cancer at all, but the result of inflammation due to bruising. Let's hope that is the case!

All in all, the news I got today was good. We are sticking with the present chemo protocol, especially since I am tolerating it pretty well. Cancer blood markers were drawn today; I will have results of those on Wednesday when I begin Treatment I of Cycle 6 of chemo.

Onward.

Scanning the Horizon

This will be a quickie post, just to check in.

I am chugging along with treatment and, so far, it's fairly tolerable. Last week marked end of Cycle #4. I have now had 12 infusions of chemo along with oral study drug. I will have results at my next oncology appointment... September 14.

This coming Thursday (September 8), I will have another full-body scan. My last scan (in July) did not really show any improvement, except for some change in right lymph nodes. I am not thrilled with having so many scans, but alas, I am now on this bus and I am not the driver.

So let's try to enjoy the ride!