Remission!

What a great day!! I went in this morning to have labs and visit with Dr. Te, and prepared for possible week of chemo. But when he came in to talk to us, he had a little twinkle in his eye and said that the bone marrow and aspirate had come back clean. The chemo has done it's job, and I am officially in remission. Roger asked what kind of remission he would expect, and he said a few years, but we know that FCR(my chemo) is new, and the remissions can be more like 5 to 7 years. What a fantastic feeling this is. It feels like a new beginning, and a chance to move on from this limbo we have been living in. So the plan for now is just to draw labs every 3 months and probably another CT scan in 6 months to a year. I feel very blessed today. This experience has made me appreciate the things and people in my life more. It has been a chance to see and feel love from such supportive family and friends and it has made such a difference. Roger has been my knight in shining armor...protecting me, and taking care of me. So many of you have kept in close touch with your good thoughts and wishes, and I appreciate all the prayers on my behalf. Thank you all so much! I'll keep this blog open and with any updates or changes that show up on my check-ups.

I'm sure it was not smart for me to watch a few bone marrow biopies on youtube before going for mine, but the bone marrow biopsy and aspiration went fine. They gave me versed to put me out, though Roger says I whimpered a little during the aspiration anyway. Then apparently I talked to the nurses and everyone on my way out the door, talked to Roger all the way home, talked to my Mom on the phone, and I don't remember a thing. So, if I happened to embarrass myself by saying something inappropriate, I hope I will be forgiven.

I was less than productive yesterday, and slept most of the day away. My hip is a little sore today, but not too bad. Now comes some fun! Kyle's farewell is on Sunday so we will get to see family and friends, and have a great weekend.

My bone marrow biopsy was supposed to be yesterday, but after my lab draw, my white count was too low, and Dr. Te wanted me to wait until Thursday the 23rd to do it. Just when I thought I was mentally prepared, now I've had think about it longer. :) I went and got a copy of my labs from Monday the 20th and they were quite surprising. Every count, from white to red to neutrophils is lower than I have ever had them, and that is not good. If you were to just look at the numbers on the paper, I would think I would be in the hospital in a neutropenic room. I guess I should be feeling good that I am still walking around and haven't caught any infection. I really have felt pretty good. Tired and weak, but that is my norm. So, the biopsy tomorrow, then labs drawn early Monday followed by a visit with Dr. Te. At that time, he should have the preliminary results back from the biopsy. That will tell him if I need another round of chemo or not. If so, I am scheduled for Monday, Tues, and Wed of next week. But with my white count and neutrophil count so low, I don't know if I can do it. So just more waiting to see what will happen. Living in cancer limbo gets a little old. I am ready to start getting my life back and moving forward. Hopefully it will be soon.

Wow. This past round has really been rough. I've never had the nausea so bad and just feeling terrible. I kept diligently taking the Zofran and compazine, but it didn't seem to do much. I don't know why the difference, but I guess every round has gone a little different in a new way. Today, I am still nauseous, and light-headed. I had big plans to become productive today, but they are diminishing as my head swirls. I get labs drawn today so we'll see what is going on.

On a happier note, it is Mandy's birthday today and we got a great letter from her! She is doing so good, and she is just so happy. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Another round

After my labs were drawn yesterday, it was determined we could start another round. All my counts had bounced up just since
the lab draw the week before. So the doctor said we will complete this round and do a bone marrow biopsy on June 24th. My CT scan came back clean, so that is fantastic news. If the bone marrow comes back clean, I am done! So there may be light at the end of the tunnel in sight. So, I'm back today and tomorrow for more of the nasty chemo that is doing such a good job.

Another round done, phew! Everything has gone well this week. I finished yesterday, and last night started to feel it already. The heavy arms and nausea. But I'm glad to have another one behind me.

May 2, 2011

I'm back on track, yay! This morning I had my labs drawn and my white count is 3.4 and my ANC is 2.7 which is the important one now. If it goes below 1.5, I am considered neutropenic and I really don't want to go there. Last week it was 1.6. My red counts area all still below normal, but not low enough to stop treatment. I asked Dr. Te a few questions about that today. He says if both the white count and the ANC (absolute neutrophil count) are low, he will hold off treatment. The red counts are a different issue, and if they are too low, he would stop treatment too for transfusions.

So he is looking at a few different things to determine my course. The treatment went well today. No reaction at all, I even got some reading done. Coming home I am feeling a little loopy and wobbly, but that's from the other medications probably.

It sure is interesting each time I sit in that chemo room. First of all, I notice that I am always the youngest one. Today's average age had to be mid to late 60s. But it is comforting to sit with them all and hear their stories, and their attitudes, and how they cope. So many of them have been through so much, it is just hard to believe. It is also comforting to be in the company of others who are feeling what I'm feeling and going through the same course I am. And the chemo nurses are just awesome. So smart, and so caring. Anyway, I'm back there tomorrow and Wednesday.