I'm about 90% certain I will start preventative chemotherapy sessions sometime in February and will do a session about every 2 weeks for 6 months (that's until July). Dr. Chang says he estimates a 40+ % increased chance of cure if we do. That sounds like a winner to me! We had planned on going to Hawaii in May, but are going to change that to most likely a trip to sunny Mexico in October.
On a good note, the drainage I had to endure out my backside has subsided. To me, this means probably no "secondary probing" surgery visit in February. We will know more Feb 1 when I talk to Dr. Lee.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Clear PET scan
The PET Scan was clear, no hot spots, nothing abnormal. It does show "healing" taking place in the rectal area...I could have told you that....
So what does this mean?
We decided that since there is still some healing and drainage on the backside and I am seeing Dr. Lee on Feb 1 to see what is going on at that point, that we will wait for that. Dr. Chang says he would like to start Chemotherapy no later than end of Feb, but we will see what happens with Dr. Lee on Feb 1.
Dr. Chang says doing Chemo at this point will increase the chances of "a cure" by about 40-50%. That sounds good to me! He said by cure, he means no more cancer for 20-30+ years. With that said, I think I'm probably going to do the Chemo... He thinks we should be able to go to Hawaii in May depending on how I "tolerate" the Chemo.
He said if there had been evidence of spread on the PET scan, the prognosis would be more like "let's keep you alive as long as we can"...probably more like 5-10 years. Ummm...I didn't realize that was what we were looking at, but the 20-30+ year timeframe sounds much better :)
Earlier yesterday I went to the Ostomy nurse. She says everything looks good, and gave me a slightly smaller base to use (this is the base that sticks to my stoma). It didn't work so well and I had to replace it in the afternoon prior to my Oncology appointment. Later, Jeanah was able to get one to stick OK, but I am going to contact her today and let her know it didn't work as well as we'd hoped. This is not an exact science. We just are trying to get the best equipment for my situation so I can have the best results and the easiest time of installation every 3-5 days.
So what does this mean?
We decided that since there is still some healing and drainage on the backside and I am seeing Dr. Lee on Feb 1 to see what is going on at that point, that we will wait for that. Dr. Chang says he would like to start Chemotherapy no later than end of Feb, but we will see what happens with Dr. Lee on Feb 1.
Dr. Chang says doing Chemo at this point will increase the chances of "a cure" by about 40-50%. That sounds good to me! He said by cure, he means no more cancer for 20-30+ years. With that said, I think I'm probably going to do the Chemo... He thinks we should be able to go to Hawaii in May depending on how I "tolerate" the Chemo.
He said if there had been evidence of spread on the PET scan, the prognosis would be more like "let's keep you alive as long as we can"...probably more like 5-10 years. Ummm...I didn't realize that was what we were looking at, but the 20-30+ year timeframe sounds much better :)
Earlier yesterday I went to the Ostomy nurse. She says everything looks good, and gave me a slightly smaller base to use (this is the base that sticks to my stoma). It didn't work so well and I had to replace it in the afternoon prior to my Oncology appointment. Later, Jeanah was able to get one to stick OK, but I am going to contact her today and let her know it didn't work as well as we'd hoped. This is not an exact science. We just are trying to get the best equipment for my situation so I can have the best results and the easiest time of installation every 3-5 days.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Moving Forward and Learning...
As we move into 2011 (YAY!!) we will be continuing to take in data from doctors and learn the result of the PeT scan taken on 12/31/2010.
I meet with Dr. Lee on Tuesday, 1/4, to make sure everything is going well with my incisions.
Still getting stronger week by week, and right now I have almost no pain due to surgery. Still have some numbness in my middle and ring fingers on my right hand, hoping that will continue to heal.
We hope 2011 is a better year than 2010!!
Love you all!
I meet with Dr. Lee on Tuesday, 1/4, to make sure everything is going well with my incisions.
Still getting stronger week by week, and right now I have almost no pain due to surgery. Still have some numbness in my middle and ring fingers on my right hand, hoping that will continue to heal.
We hope 2011 is a better year than 2010!!
Love you all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
