Friday, January 23, 2009
Yesterday, I went through both a PET scan and a CAT scan. They do not seem to have a DOG scan, at least not yet. Let me say, the tests are not fun. It took three hours and my bladder had to be catheterized which is a most unpleasant experience. In addition, they make me drink this Barium stuff which tears my stomach apart all night and into the next morning. The best thing I can say is that when you are in excrutiating pain, the results of a couple of tests are not foremost on your mind.
This afternoon, we went in to meet with my oncologist to find out what the results reveal about my situation. The nervousness in addition to my stomach ache was unbearable until I had this vision of all of your prayers flowing into me. Seriously, I pictured this in my mind and felt like I was going to be OK. I do believe this is God's Peace which passes all human understanding except that I understood it. I do not have the "passes all human understanding" part figured out yet. I work on it everyday.
The good news is both scans showed that the new chemo drug is working to shrink my tumors. Everything looked much better than last time. In fact, according to the radiologist, the new chemo is working quite well. The plan is to continue the same regimen four more times or two months and then repeat the CAT scan. I am so relieved. The last scan which showed increasing tumor size was difficult to handle and going through two more months of chemo after that knowing the last chemo stopped working was not so easy. I can handle two, four or even six more months of this if I know the chemo cocktail is having a positive effect. The liver tumor experts at UW want more shrinkage before they go in and start zapping individual tumors with whatever new technology they have. The other good news is that they did some type of geno-typing on the biopsy of my colon tumor and it showed that drug number three up my oncologist's sleeve should also work on getting rid of or controlling my cancer. He told me this was good news to file away for the future.
Yes, I do have to continue with chemo. But things are going in the right direction and I am getting better. This is a long and difficult tunnel I am traveling through but I'm gonna be ok with God's help and with all of the thoughts and prayers flowing into me from all of you!
17 Comments:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Hallelujah! We will continue to pray that your tumors continue to shrink. Consider yourself hugged. Lani
By 
, at
4:45 PM
Oh, Janet -- this is the best of all possible news. HUGE sigh of relief from down here!
Add my own hug to Lani's (if you don't mind a complete stranger joining in :-)
Carroll (Anonymous AGAIN??!!!!! Grrrrr)
By , at
6:44 PM
Yippee! This is such wonderful news. I'm thrilled for all of you. We'll raise a glass to toast you and your effective chemo cocktails at wine-tasting tonight.
By , at
6:55 PM
Good news, indeed, Janet! Heck, that is the very best news you could have, and by extension, that we could have! This may be the winter of your discontent, but spring is on her way. Much love to you and your family.
Sue & Shep
Janet, I am so happy for you! My heart jumped for joy when I saw your headline.
DOG scan!!!! How you keep your humor is beyond me, but I am glad you do!
SusanfromIll
By , at
8:00 PM
Thank goodness! I couldn't wait to get home tonight to check in and find your results. I'm so happy for you.
Dog scan... Hee Hee. Apolo would probably be afraid of it.
By , at
9:20 PM
Such good news! God bless you and may you feel the hugs of all of us and the holy spirit wrapped around you. This news will no doubt make it easier to relax a little and hopefully enjoy more chocolate desserts. Love to you, Dave and family, Leslie
By , at
11:06 PM
YEA for those drugs, docs, but most of all for God's Amazing Grace! You are so surrounded by love and peace that it gives those drugs a chance to work. Keep it up. Ashby
By , at
7:42 AM
Janet, I am so happy to hear your good news. I check in a few times a week to see what is going on with you. Again, great news.
Debbie
By , at
9:02 AM
Hey, Janet! More great news to end a wonderful week of New Beginnings!
All good thoughts for the future!
Julia
By , at
11:01 AM
I'm doing the Happy Dance!
Love in Christ, Mary Gates
By , at
11:56 AM
Janet, just picture yourself as I do, surrounded by Light. I'm so glad for the good news! I've been waiting to see how things went....
By , at
2:10 PM
I am singing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!" after reading your good news; I'm so delighted you had a good report. I am thankful for the care you have received, for knowing Dave is at your side, for all these people whose names I don't know who pray for you, and for our God who is mighty to heal. Rest in His love and know we are all smiling with you.
Love, Vida
By , at
7:14 PM
((Janet)) This is great news! I'm so glad! May 2009 be a banner year for you, to see you completely cured and ready to enjoy all the great things that will come your way! Doreen from church
By , at
4:59 PM
That-a-way Janet! Keep fighting... there are many people praying for you!
Bt
By , at
6:43 AM
We are thrilled that things are progressing and your faith and determination are making breakthroughs for you.
Love,
Helen and Bill
By , at
2:25 PM
Janet, Barb Hagen gave me your blog info. Please know that you are much in my prayers and thoughts. Give your mom my love. Please keep in touch.
Raymond D. Brown (former Dean, St. Peter's Cathdral, Helena)
By , at
10:03 AM
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