Today I get the results of the CT scan that was done last week and have been on pins and needles since then (longer actually) anxiously awaiting what the verdict will be. My intuition says things are improved but I don't know by how much and there has always been the niggling thought my optimism might be misplaced.
Fortunately when C-Dr came in the first order of business was the results. He told me he was downloading the scan images on the computer in his office but he also had the written reports in hand. There were two reports from the radiologist: one was the neck scan and the other was the chest scan. The PET/CT scan last June showed a lot of 'activity' at the site of the lymph node surgery which was expected as part of the surgery healing process; but it also showed another lymph node with cancerous cells in it although at the time C-Dr said it was still small enough he wasn't going to worry about it. The new scan indicated no activity and the previously cancerous lymph node appeared to be of normal size, likely due to the chemo killing off those cells. Whew.
Next was the radiologist report of the chest area. I've gotten to know the C-Dr pretty well these past 5 months and as he was reading through the chest data I could sense in his voice and demeanor some hesitation or even disappointment he was trying to disguise. I'm starting to feel not so optimistic. He was tossing out the measurements of the current size of the mass around my esophagus as compared to the PET/CT scan size and saying that it was reduced, but I still felt he was expecting smaller numbers. A short chat about side effects, how I'd felt, etc., since last month's chemo treatment and then a quick exam of my neck. Usually he does an exam of other lymph node areas but not today. My optimism is waning as this seems too rushed for good news. Then it was
off to his office to gaze at the computer monitor where he had the June scan on the left half of the screen and last week's scan downloading on the right side of the screen. I'd barely sat down in a chair when I hear "Oh, this is good! Stupid radiologist." and he starts scrolling through the newer image. Again, I hear, "Yes, this is good." and my anxiety is lessening. It was pretty easy for me to recognize the images and with each scroll of the mouse was another horizontal slice of me on display. He pointed out my spine (I figured that one out easily) and then a black spot that was my esophagus and then a larger dot that was the trachea (esophagus is posterior to the trachea) which then branched off to each lung. Also saw my heart and stomach and lungs. Fascinating, and kinda hard to describe! Anyway, he then shows me the area of concern and we compare the old PET/CT mass to the newer CT mass size. Hey, when even I can see the difference in the two it's a good thing. How much smaller? Visually it looked to me that it was at least half the size it used to be. So, as it turns out the lymphoma mass around my esophagus is smaller than it was, however, >sigh< it's still there. Hopefully two more chemo treatments will continue to get that thing shrunk even more.
C-Dr reminded me the plan has been that after my final chemo treatments in December there would be 'maintenance' treatments every other month for 2 years. However, he did say there would be another
PET/CT scan done after the first of the year. Maybe that will alter the plan, I don't know, but after having seen both scans the PET is so much better than the regular CT scan as far as being very definitive with where the cancer cells and activity is so I look forward to that and hopefully continuing good news.
I've tried to find a CT scan image (one of the 'slices') on the internet similar to mine. After spending hours (yes, hours) I finally had to give up. Almost. It may be a disservice to you to even include this one (below) but hopefully it gives you an idea of what I was seeing.
This is NOT MY CTscan.
Used for illustration purpose only.
This is kinda, sorta, possibly, maybe, perhaps, somewhat, close to, but not quite, what I saw. (Does all that clear me of any legal problems?!) Look at the area inside the red line. The black spot on the left is like what I saw, and was my esophagus. On my scans, the area also inside that red line is similar to what the mass around my esophagus looks like although on the first scan it was much larger. Have I muddied the water too much? Anyway, I tried, but know it's a wild shot.
Moving on...
After visit with C-Dr it was normal ChemoDay #1 stuff:
1. Infusion nurse Lisa gets blood collection (from my Port) 2 vials
(1 immediate checking okay to infuse, 1 for 'clinical' results later)
2. Aloxi (syringe push through IV)
3. Benddryl
4. Dex
5. Rituxan (rapid drip rate again)
6. Bendamustine
7. Heparinized saline
8. saline flush.
After about 5 hours, I'm outta there!
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A little more than an hour after they started the dentist and his assistant were done with me (whew) and a temporary crown was put in place. Since I was in the vicinity made my weekly stop at the post office to pick up my mail and then across the street for a quick stop at the grocery store for sale items on my list. Then, back home and unload the car. With that done there was still some 'prep' Mom & I needed to do before those errands. So, bills were paid (an interesting process steering my mother through hers) and envelopes stamped, then other paperwork filled out and finally we're off.
4) back track and drop off payment for fall aerate at company that does my lawn fertilization & aeration. Owner is there and chat for a few moments, but mom is in the car...
9) heading toward freeway to get back to Sam's and as I make the left turn at the light...there is little or no input from gas pedal to engine! Oops, I've pushed my luck too far. Today my guardian angel is 
crackled to life. Any midday announcement by the principal was extremely rare so once we realized it wasn't the principal speaking but instead a news announcer on a radio station we listened more carefully and eventually heard those stunning words that President Kennedy had been shot. Shortly after that was the news confirming that he was dead. It was a Friday and school remained in session the rest of the afternoon but each teacher could choose whether to listen to the news reports or do regular class. My PhysEd class was immediately after lunch and our teacher continued as if nothing was different, or she didn't care. We weren't sure, but the rest of classes were very quiet and somber as we either listened to the news or had discussion of the tragedy. It was definitely one of those rare events (like Sept 11, 2001) where you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing.
Today I get the results of the CT scan that was done last week and have been on pins and needles since then (longer actually) anxiously awaiting what the verdict will be. My intuition says things are improved but I don't know by how much and there has always been the niggling thought my optimism might be misplaced.
My former employer had setup a lot of meetings around the area for their retirees regarding the medical Open Enrollment period. Because of all my Cancer stuff I was very interested in what they had to say and if there were going to be any problems for me next year that I needed to prepare for. So, of the two meetings that were nearest to where I live one interfered with my CT scan in the morning but the second one in the afternoon fit my schedule perfectly. Unfortunately, I'd entered the wrong date in the calendar on my phone as Tuesday instead of Monday (yesterday). When I pulled out the paper to get the address I was shocked to see I'd missed my preferred meeting. Fortunately there was another one scheduled this afternoon -- 40 miles away. There were other meetings slightly closer in the days ahead but they ALL conflicted with dental appointments or chemotherapy! At least the weather was nice, traffic was light, and the location was easy to find. A pair of Walking Poles were available for everyone who attended. We were told 'freebies' have never been handed out at retiree meetings before this (I wouldn't know) so for my efforts I've got a pair of walking poles...still in the trunk of my car!
About 10 minutes later she comes back and we head to room with the CT machine and equipment. This picture is kinda close to what it all looked like...except I had no blanket on top of me and there were no curtains to the side and there was no monitor to look at and there was no camera hanging from the wall and no big blue cart to the side...but there was 'the tube' and a skinny table/bed thingy to lie on that raises up and down and slides you in and out!
Anyway, while my sister went to retrieve the luggage she asked if I'd hold Mindy who was about nine-months old, an age where most babies don't like strangers so I hoped I wouldn't have a screaming baby in my arms in the middle of the airport for the next 10 or 15 minutes. Not to worry, we bonded almost instantly and since then it's no secret I am one of Mindy's favorites. Awww.
Early this morning the dentist's office returned my call from yesterday and agreed that it would be best to have the dentist check out the tooth bothering me. So, while I'd really rather be anywhere else, at 11:00 this morning I'm sitting in a dental chair. Explaining the past week of hot/cold 'zings' the dentist then picks up his instrument and starts tapping around the tooth and I prepare for some 'zings' of great discomfort. Guess what? Nothing! We're both stumped. X-rays are then ordered to see if they can reveal the cause of my 'zings' but pictures they get aren't showing a problem. I'm beginning to question my sanity. After probing some more and another x-ray and reviewing the history and report of the deep cavity filled last May the dentist decides there is a 95% possibility that tooth is the problem and what I'm experiencing are early symptoms. At some point in time I'd also mentioned they need to add a line item to my health record about my recent diagnosis of NHL Cancer. After some discussion it's decided the dentist will go ahead and prep the tooth for a root canal. About halfway through the drilling he says "I'm 100% sure now this is the right tooth." At the point tools and fingers are out of my mouth I ask how he could tell and he says "Healthy teeth bleed; there's no blood." The prep work continues. Once completed the next trick is figuring out a schedule for root canal that coordinates with my treatment and Chemo Week (side effects) and such. Great. Root Canal will be done next week.
The Lawn Ranger.
My turn to prepare and cook dinner for our 'scrapping night' get together with my mom and sisters. Once everything was in oven it was panic piano practice time since I've been asked to play at the baptism of my niece's daughter tomorrow and I've put it off too long and need to get the rust out of my fingers. Not bad, well actually it was very bad and will need more hours tomorrow morning to get the two main songs perfected more.