One Month Cancer Update
It has been one month and 6 days since I completed my last cycle of chemo. I had my latest PET Scan on May 21st. It has been a long 2 weeks but yesterday I had my appointment with my oncologist to go over the results. I needed to take a day to reflect on the results. They weren’t what I was hoping for, but I promised I’d keep you all updated no matter the news.
I’ll start by explaining that when doctor’s are looking at the scans they look at the size of the tumors as well as the activity level. The higher the activity level, the more active the cancer is and the lower the activity level, the less active the cancer is. My PET Scan in March showed that one of my tumors was completely gone and the other one had shrunk to about half it’s size and the activity level was 3.4. There also was no more fluid around my heart which was great because I did not want to undergo another heart surgery and chest tube to drain the fluid.
As of yesterday my tumor is shrunk almost all the way down. My doctor explained that because my tumor was so large to begin with that it will not shrink all the way down because of scar tissue. He also said that the activity level was 2.8. He said 2.5-3.0 is ok for activity level and usually means the cancer is dormant. The activity level in my ribs was also gone as well which is good. I am supposed to get another scan in 3 months to make sure that the cancer does not grow or increase in activity. If it does then radiation could possibly be the next step. Until then, I am considered in remission.
This news had made me uneasy. I have been optimistic through this all and am praying and hoping that my cancer is going to stay dormant. It has been explained to me that Lymphoma has a higher chance of recurring in the first 2 years, so the countdown has started. If I can make it through the next 2 years then the chance of recurrence is much lower.
My next concern is that I gained some weight while undergoing chemo and now I am struggling to lose it. I have been told by family and the doctor that I shouldn’t focus too hard on that, but with a family history of obesity, I am not wanting to allow myself to get out of hand. The challenge is to clean up my diet while being busy with kids and baseball. Exercise is also important. I have been going for walks and am happy to say that after a month, I am able to walk 2 miles.
The next update, I am off all medications except for the anti-viral medication. I will have to be on that for the next 5-6 months to prevent sickness and infection. I’ll take one medication over 12. My focus has gotten so much better since I’m off the muscle relaxers. I’m also cleared to drive which will make it easier on everyone for my appointments because I can drive myself now. I’ll just need to find babysitters but the appointments are further apart now.
I will have to go every 8 weeks to get my port flushed to keep it in working order in case I need to use it. I am able to get it taken out if I choose but I’ve chosen to keep it in for at least the next 2 years just in case chemo is needed again. I will be going every 3 months for scans and bloodwork for the next 1-2 years. after that it will be every 6 months for 5 years and then once a year every year after that. It seems like a lot but it’s much better than chemo treatments and bloodwork.
While the news wasn’t what I was hoping and I am a bit bummed that the tumor and activity level isn’t completely gone, I’ll take the win and stay optimistic until I have a reason not to.
Thank you all for sticking around for the journey so far and I hope you’ll stick around for my healing journey as well!
