At least that is the phrase I use when describing the results of today’s review of scans and MRIs with the oncologist.  First of all, he was seemingly dumbfounded to find me in such good shape! … with energy and with no pain.  I am most aware of the part that each of you have played to keep me supported, prayed for, and loved.  Regardless of any results, how I feel is among the top bits of information that the oncologist counts on!  Please keep it up!
The good news:
–     Lung mass is a bit smaller.  From 2.9 x 2.9 cm. to 1.3 x .9 cm.  It is inseparable from the pleura.
–     No fluid seen since the pleurodesis  surgery.
–     No new findings in either lobe of the liver, or lungs, or upper abdomen, or lymph nodes.
–     Don’t see any pressure on spinal cord or nerve roots, or any fractures.
The not-so-good news:
–     There is increased density (cancer?) in the thoracic spine which they didn’t see before. (Bone reacts to its environment in two ways — either by removing some of itself or by creating more of itself.) This could also be from Xgeva injections for bone protection as well as from chemo which both cause improvement.  But MRI report says, “Interval development of extensive metastatic disease throughout the thoracic spine…. The largest sclerotic metastases are noted within the T11 and T12 vertebral bodies.”
–     Total spine report: “Multifocal enhancing lesions of the visualized lower thoracic spine, lumbar spine and pelvis…. consistent with osseous metastatic disease.  The largest lesion in the lumbar spine is a 1.8 cm lesion involving the L4 vertebral body.”  (I basically have involvement all the way down from T11 to S1 !!!)
–     Brain report:  “There is a 4 mm rounded nodular focus of enhancement involving the inferior right cerebellum with mild surrounding vasogenic edema, suspicious for a focus of metastatic disease.  No mass effect seen.”   In other words, 4mm something with some swelling around it!
Treatment from here
–     I will keep my appointment for Chemo #4 next week. It will be the last as they don’t do more than that. Then I will probably be kept on a “maintenance dose” of the Alimta – which has minor side effects by comparison.
–     I will get an appointment with the radiology oncologist, actually the same doctor who saw Paul years ago and is ‘top-drawer’ (Glenn Tonneson), for an opinion.  It is hoped that a good possibility would be radiation via the stereotactic procedure, high intensity, targeting the small spot once or twice to try to catch any cancer before it causes any neurological symptoms.  (Balance is that area of the brain.) With my history surgery would not be a reasonable consideration.  If the radiation is an option then I would get fitted for a mask and prepare for immobility once again!!  It will definitely be several weeks away.  Oh, yes, another possibility for that 4mm spot is stroke. I do have stroke history on both sides of my family.  I’m a real medical wonder…
–      My blood work came back successfully again but they are checking my iron to see if by any chance it is playing a part in my shortness of breath. The chemo causes a dip in red blood count as it causes anemia, but iron is a different issue. The onc doesn’t think so but is checking it out. If no positive results then it is most likely due to the cancer and my getting used to it.  I manage very well, considering, just can’t move about with the same determination as before!  Pickleball is still in the picture, though, and I rarely go into the office without one of the staff asking if I’m the pickleball person!!  I took Lily and Naomi last week if you recall.
I’m feeling good and celebrating that fact. Got an extra week of feeling great this chemo cycle!
I had a lovely visit with David, Tamara, Lily and Naomi these past couple days.  Family news here… must balance all that medical jargon!

Lily wants to take violin like Daniel did, and David has relented.  She has learned to pick out a few pieces on Tamara’s violin and Daniel was wonderfully patient helping her.  He treated us to some of his former 8 year repertoire but sadly, for me, sacrificed his violin for an electric guitar last year!
A special event was going out for dinner last night … a first for me in months!  We went to a local restaurant with excellent crab cakes…. although I began to wonder if I should have ordered the lobster tail that another table was enjoying!  Guess what?  Tonight one of our dining rooms had Lobster Rolls on the menu!  YUM!   Memories of Maine at Debbie’s in 2004!

Missing in the picture are Tamara’s two boys:  Torsen (14), Mac (12).)
Lily is 10, Naomi 8.  Karen’s Kate is 17, a
senior, and Daniel is 14, a freshman.
Ben & Karen Grumbles, David and Tamara.
I’m looking forward to the 4th and would like to go to the Cathedral for their Annual Independence Day Organ Recital at 11 a.m.  Anyone interested in joining me?
Here’s the spectacular program.         Happy 4th and love to all!