SCANS ARE CLEAN!! I AM CANCER FREE!!!

Hey! Hey! It is Tuesday afternoon, and I came straight here from work. I am so sorry that I didn't update my blog yesterday, but it was a very full day. I tried to call, text, etc. as many people as I could to get the word out. As promised, here are the details:

(1) Saw my dentist at 0800: No cavities! No problems showing up on xrays! Considering how poor a job of cleaning I did during chemo, teeth looked great!

(2) Met with radiologist at 0945: She continues to be impressed with how fast my radiation burns are healing. Asked me to come back in three weeks to let her inspect skin one more time. Then she's turning me loose until June! Woo! Hoo!

(3) Met with oncologist at 1030: She informed me that my vitamin D level was now 33. Normal is 30 to 100. She did not renew my prescription, but told me to continue taking it over the counter. She explained to me that she did not order a CT of my head or a bone scan to be repeated because she does not want to keep subjecting me to unnecessary radiation. That in itself can give you cancer. She encouraged me to let her know immediately if I develop any kind of symptom that would make me think that those scans need to be ordered. She started me on a medication called Arimedex. I think it's similar to Tamoxifen. I'm not sure why she started it now though. I had been told that I would receive the Herceptin treatments every three weeks for a year, then take Tamoxifen by mouth for five years. I failed to ask her why she was starting it now, and why Arimedex instead of Tamoxifen. We tend to talk about a lot of things and joke a lot, and I guess I got distracted. I do remember that she said Arimedex can cause osteoporosis, so she's in the process of ordering me a bone density test. They are down one technician at Physician's East, so this might have to be done somewhere else. And last, but not least, she informed me that my CT's of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis are clean. The only problem was that my lungs looked like I had the beginning of some type of infection. I thought that maybe it was just inflammation from the radiation, but it's more on my left lung than my right. She started me on an antibiotic called Augmentin, twice a day, for a week. The radiologist that read my CT suggested close followup, so she's going to repeat the CT of my chest in three months. She said that it didn't look like anything other than infection, but of course, we need to be diligent. I'll see my oncologist again in three weeks when I get my Herceptin treatment (11/29).

(4) Received my Herceptin treatment. The nurse always makes me a copy of my labs to view while I'm waiting. My white count dropped just a bit, but remains just within normal limits. My hemoglobin just squeaked by as normal, but my hematocrit still has a little ways to go. My platelets increased from 104,000 to 124,000. (140,000 is the lowest normal parameter.) So, overall, my labs look good and continue to improve. I received my treatment while listening to Christmas music on my ipod, and was out of there around 1:30.

The plan was for Mama to drop me off here while she went to Sam's, but we had so many other errands to run, we never got here. At 4:30, we just stopped and headed home, but we had to go all the way to Williamston to pick up my jeep from being serviced, so we didn't get home until almost 6pm. So those of you who don't have email or texting, please don't rake me over the coals too much. It was a very long day, and we were exhausted when we got home.

My next appointment is with the obgyn surgeon, Dr. Fisher, on Monday afternoon. I'm really hoping to have a surgery date by the time I leave her office........stay tuned!

Okay, it's almost 6:30, and I still have to drive to Bear Grass and get up at 0530 tomorrow morning. I cannot leave yet though without giving all praise and honor to the One who is getting me through this. I continue to be amazed at how much He goes out of His way to let me know He's watching over me. All weekend long, He did things to get my attention; things that He knew would amaze and comfort me. Thank you Lord........you are an awesome God..........

That's it! Gotta get to Bear Grass! Stop by and see us sometime.......

Cindy