Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Doctor visit update

I am deeply grateful as I receive the blessings of answered prayer.

My last medical oncologist appointment was Tuesday, July 13th. Appointment went well, uneventful. My labs came back okay. Platelet count is coming up. WBC is up, (thank you Neulasta!), however I am still slightly anemic.


I saw my radiation oncologist on Thursday, July 15th for a 4 month follow-up. What a great guy...very spiritual and not afraid to show it. I like that in a doctor. He reviewed my MRI results and is very pleased with them. He checked my neurological reflexes, etc and says I'm doing awesome. I told him that I have 2 more treatments, but am a bit concerned about not doing anything after these treatments are done. He said, we aren't doing nothing, we have prayer and will continue to have prayer. How about that?! I said, it's the power of prayer that has made me an 8 month survivor so far. He said, you aren't just an 8 month survivor, you're a survivor every day! AMEN to that!! I go back to see him in October.

My next oncologist visit is Monday, July 26th and will have chemo the same day as long as my counts are okay. 5th treatment, just 1 more to go.

I know I'm sounding like a very broken record, but.....thanks again everyone for all of the prayers and support. Oh my goodness....I most definitely wouldn't have come this far without my huge circle of prayer partners. I'm amazed by every ones generous prayers for me. It's an awesome feeling...thank you for making me feel special.

Every day is a miracle filled with opportunities to give and receive.

Have a blessed day,
Sandy

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

4th Treatment and MRI Results

God gives the very best to those who leave the choices up to him!

Sorry for my delayed update....life can be crazy sometimes!!
I had my MRI on Friday, June 25th and my oncologist appointment on Tuesday, June 29th. The MRI results were good...no tumor regrowth! The small 'enhancement' at the tumor site that they saw in January and March seems to be a bit smaller as well. When it was first seen in January, the doctors weren't sure if the 'enhancement' was scar tissue or resistant tumor. Since it appears smaller, it could very well be resistant tumor, they just don't know. The only way to really know is surgery...not doing that right now. Still all in all, this is exciting news!

As far as my blood counts, everything is so, so. My platelets are low, which is a side effect of the Carboplatin, so the chemo I had on Wednesday, June 30th was a 10% less dose than my previous treatment. Reducing the dose was more preferable than not taking chemo for several weeks to try to bring my platelet count up. I also had a Neulasta (bone marrow stimulant) shot on Thursday to help increase my white blood cell count. I didn't feel as sick with this treatment, which I attribute to the lesser dose, plus I took more anti-nausea medicine.

Next oncologist appointment is Tuesday, July 13th. Next appointment with my radiation oncologist is Thursday, July 15th for a 4-month follow-up. I am anxious to hear what he has to say about the MRI results!!

Only 2 more treatments to go...mid July and then early August to finish. I would imagine I will have another MRI then.

I am feeling good and remain thankful for every day and all the prayers sent my way. The power of prayer is absolutely unbelievable...I am so blessed!!

Every day is a gift, not a given right!

Sandy