Before I blather on, I’ll get right to the good stuff. My PET scan was unchanged! I’m cancer-free (that same bit on my left lung is definitely scar tissue)! I get to schedule my port removal ASAP! Good thing, too, because it seems to have stopped working.
When Heather (my nurse today) tried to do a port draw, she couldn’t get blood return (despite at least 6 successful saline flushes). We tried all sorts of positions. I leaned back. I leaned forward. I put my arm up. I put my hands behind my back. I turned my head to the left and coughed (to try and loosen a clot). She re-stuck me with a longer needle (I didn’t care since I was numb from the handy dandy Emla cream). She flushed with heparin. The next step was going to be alteplase (a super duper clot buster often used to treat strokes), but Heather spoke with Alla and was told not to bother. My eybrows went up. I’m sure Alla wanted to be the one to tell me the good news, but it’s not like I didn’t see where Heather was going with this, so she told me my scans were great. Instantly, I felt like I’d lost 100 lbs. I didn’t even know I was carrying!
So, she unstuck me, and I went off to have Kyle check my vitals. When I got on the scale, I told him he’d need to take off a pound for the support system of bling I had on my wrist (as I have for every Kellogg appointment). 🙂 My BP and heart rate were fab. My weight is down big time since a year ago – HEALTHILY.
Finally, Alla came in and gave me a big hug and told me (officially) that everything looks great. Not just my scans, but all of my bloodwork is totally normal. I’m so relieved. Sure, we still have to keep monitoring me over the next four and a half years or so, but with this latest scan, I (think I) finally believe it’s gone. The FUCKING CANCER IS GONE!
Alla and I chatted a bit. I lamented the fact that Aunt Flo has returned (and she keeps popping in and out – 4 days now). She thought it was funny because most patients, even at 43, are upset at being put into menopause. Other than the brittle nails, I was really diggin’ it. Hopefully, the Mirena will get rid of Flo in the near future.
I talked to her about the “everything is cancer” anxiety (Have a pimple? It’s cancer. A bruise? Cancer. Swollen glands? Cancer). Though I already knew, she confirmed that it’s totally normal. I’m going to start meeting with a nurse who helps people deal with the anxieties of survivorship. Who knew? And, I’ll visit with Alla again in 3 months. **BiselBlog note: Dumb nurse never called me back, but time has lessened the anxiety, so I’m good.
After I was done at Kellogg, I went to P.F. Chang’s for a celebratory lunch with my parents (mmmm…. Mongolian Beef!). Then, we ran some errands and I stopped by my MIL’s to say bye to The Girl (she’s sleeping over there for the next two nights). Tonight, after our parent-teacher conference, Hubs and I are off to celebrate with dinner at The Vine.
Cheers! L’chaim! Sláinte!
Original Comments from the CaringBridge Blog:
Wonderful!
—Adrienne Meyer, November 25, 2015
Awesome update, Deb. So glad you can breathe easier & beat that damn c-word! Love to you!—Amber Youngman, November 25, 2015
Yay! Oh happy day!
O and S stopped walking in the mall and started to clap when I told them.
—sia serpico, November 25, 2015
CONGRATS!!!!
—Lynette Connell, November 24, 2015
Amen!!!
—Susan Rosenthal, November 24, 2015
What FABULOUS news!! See? Prayers really do work!
This will be the best Thanksgiving ever! I’m SO HAPPY for you, your family and friends! This has been a long haul, but such a wonderful outcome!!
—Kay, November 24, 2015
YAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! This is so, so fantastic. My friend, I am beyond thrilled for you. xoxoxo
—Holly, November 24, 2015
Fantastic news!!! Enjoy your celebration dinner!!
—Michele Barbera, November 24, 2015
Thanks for sharing the GREAT news!
—Laurie, November 24, 2015
TEARS OF JOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sooo Proud of YOU! What a Fighter you have been!!!
—Jo, November 24, 2015
The happiest and greatest news!!!
—Sarah Alzamora, November 24, 2015
CONGRATS!
“…I leaned back. I leaned forward. I put my arm up. I put my hands behind my back. I turned my head to the left and coughed…” I do that if I eat too much matzoh
—Brian Kirshenbaum, November 24, 2015
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
—Jodi McKee, November 24, 2015
Hooray! This is one great reason for giving thanks this week! So, so glad to hear it! Xoxo
—Lauri Harvey Keagle, November 24, 2015