Waiting For Direction, But Not Really

January 25: My CT Scan report was great. There were no changes in the lesions on my lung or liver. There were no signs of fracture or arthritis in my hips. The pain my hips is perplexing. Dr. Garg asked that I followup February 1. This will allow him more time to research the chemo drugs I took and the meet with the researchers administering the Study Drug. I had hoped he would release me to return to work, but he is not comfortable with me moving forward until he understands the source of the problem. I should be receiving my MRI script later this week. In the meantime, I am being proactive. To get a different perspective, I have appointments with my Orthopedic and Rheumatologist this week. I am also using the internet to research, but this provides more negative stories than I want to read. My body has endured a lot and I believe getting another perspective may help. Honestly, I want to return to work and move forward. I am pushing forward, it just taking a little more time than I had hoped.

Looking Forward to a Healthy New Year!

I met with my Radiation and Medical Oncologists on Monday, January 9. My Radiation Oncologist was very pleased with my skin, 6 weeks after my last Radiation Treatment. Overall, she is very pleased with my physical condition. Dr. Young advised that I will continue to feel the fatigue from both the chemo and radiation. She advised the fatigue will likely stay with me until the end of this year. She encouraged me to continue to fight the fatigue with exercise and rest when my body needs to stop. My next appointment is January 2013- yay!

Dr. Garg, my Medical Oncologist, ordered a CT scan and X-Ray which were completed January 13. The CT scan was ordered to look at the lesions on my lung and liver which were initially picked up on the PET scan in March 2011. These lesions were from my Valley Fever diagnosis in 2012. He wants to be sure that the cancer treatments did not create a change. Since early Decemeber, I have been having daily pain in my hips and is extremely painful in the evening. The CT scan and X-Ray will provide Dr. Garg with the visuals needed. He said said this could be the continuing side effect from chemo and possibly from the study drug. I hope to have the results today. Other than that, my Bloodwork was very good.

I was denied another PET scan. After 10 months of treatment, it would be nice to know a scan could be completed showing that I am cancer free. I learned that our bodies fight cancer cells daily. In my case, the chemo and radiation are still fighting so the scan would likely result in a false-positive. So, I need to continue to fight and keep my faith strong.

I am hoping to return to work very soon. I am waiting to hear from Dr. Garg and ready to move forward.