Well,
I've been trying to figure out what to say, what to share since yesterday afternoon. I was trying to figure out some snappy, or colorful detailed way to say, that I have more cancer. Eleven more, if you only count the quote "several small new" or "three new metabolically active" as one. Its depressing enough to know that cancer is spreading, without counting how many more places it has gone.
Believe it or not, technology is too good these days! The PET part of my scan picks up suspicious spots as small as 4mm. Then the radiologist says "several new small" on the report & I get told my cancer has spread. (it is done in a much more graceful and tactful way than that)However small 'it' maybe, I've got new measurable spots of metastatic disease in: various lymph nodes, 3 spots in the liver,& in the bone-femur, pubic,scapula and spine.
Yesterday, I was upset, for many reasons! DUH, right. I'd been expecting to hear, that I was the same as early August, with the exception of the sternum. I was more than hopeful that I was going to have an uneventful office visit. After all, I was in less pain, taking less pain medication, AND all of you kept telling me that I had to be getting better; I was talked into it! Crushed, is how I felt yesterday. That news took away, all the hope I had been storing up & shook my belief foundation once again.
Today is a new day, and even though there is a "nor-easter" hitting our area, my mood is better. I'm bummed that I didn't get the greatest news, but am thankful that my Oncologist still has tricks up his sleeve. I'm visiting Duke Breast Oncology on Monday, September 29, and am assuming that a cutting edge Comprehensive Cancer Institute will have something to offer a patient like me. I'm expecting to hear about clinical trials, and see myself participating in them asap. I will be receiving some kind of chemotherapy treatment by early October.
This, however, will not stop me from walking in the 2nd annual Team Tiffany here in Virginia Beach on October 18th. I'd love to be attending the Hawaii race, on October 19th, but 1)its not enough time to travel 2)I am not made of $$$ these days! I will be there in spirit, cheering on my Hawaii Ohana(family). This year I have a fundraising goal, because I'd like to give something back, and to provide others with great care. I am so fortunate with the great care I've gotten while sick. It saddens me, that others don't get the same kind of wonderful care. So I'm fundraising...
I"m sorry I can't give you guys better news; I wish in so many ways that I could. I hope that you folks know that I'm sad I have to be this "sick", but you gotta know that I'm still the same determined, & pig-headed Tiffany ya'll know & love! lol Please pass onto others that might not have interenet (Miss Amy, Karen Jenkins, The Rev, Kate at Arlington's evening shift,Robyn, Weldon, Gerber, Dana, Gladys, LiAnn, Carm, Uncle Fred......hang on, this is getting to long!) If you could, pass on any information to our mutual friends, I'd appreciate it!
I hope each of you are doing well? Please write me sometime, and let me know what's up! Until then, take care......
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Simple & slow, Satruday
I've got nothing to share!
The weather is cooler here in Virgina Beach, and the windows are open. The breeze feels wonderful, and along with the constant of the fans, my hot flashes are minimum. I think Steve is on the chilly side, but he's not complaining.
I feel good, and everybody says I look & sound great; although I'm not sure how I'm supposed to sound or look at this point in living with cancer! My hair is growing in nicely. I've been reading about how to style short hair, and been learning about what products, do what. I'm thankful to have hair.... with the exception of bed hair. WOW,that look is really scary!
On the 23rd, I will have another PET scan (the 7th, I think) here in VA. Then, on the 29th, Steve will drive me to Duke University (Raleigh, NC) to meet with that Oncologist. We are eager to learn about what clinical trials I'm eligible for. Depending on what the Duke MD has to say,I'll probably be starting chemo again by mid-October. If for some reason,the Duke doc offers me something that I'm not agreeable to, I'll be starting chemo here in VA at the beginning of October. Either way, I'll be starting chemo again in October.... yeaeeee for me either way, right!
Life is good! Either way, I'll be fighting my cancer again; letting it know who's boss. I will know more about what will be happening, in the near future, after the appointment on the 29th.
Before I close, I want everybody to be reminded that the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is coming up in October. If you can't walk in a local "race", please donate just a few $$ to the cause. I personally, thank you for doing so. Take care, and Happy Football Saturday!
The weather is cooler here in Virgina Beach, and the windows are open. The breeze feels wonderful, and along with the constant of the fans, my hot flashes are minimum. I think Steve is on the chilly side, but he's not complaining.
I feel good, and everybody says I look & sound great; although I'm not sure how I'm supposed to sound or look at this point in living with cancer! My hair is growing in nicely. I've been reading about how to style short hair, and been learning about what products, do what. I'm thankful to have hair.... with the exception of bed hair. WOW,that look is really scary!
On the 23rd, I will have another PET scan (the 7th, I think) here in VA. Then, on the 29th, Steve will drive me to Duke University (Raleigh, NC) to meet with that Oncologist. We are eager to learn about what clinical trials I'm eligible for. Depending on what the Duke MD has to say,I'll probably be starting chemo again by mid-October. If for some reason,the Duke doc offers me something that I'm not agreeable to, I'll be starting chemo here in VA at the beginning of October. Either way, I'll be starting chemo again in October.... yeaeeee for me either way, right!
Life is good! Either way, I'll be fighting my cancer again; letting it know who's boss. I will know more about what will be happening, in the near future, after the appointment on the 29th.
Before I close, I want everybody to be reminded that the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is coming up in October. If you can't walk in a local "race", please donate just a few $$ to the cause. I personally, thank you for doing so. Take care, and Happy Football Saturday!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Today's Oncology Visit
1)I"m feeling some pain relief that comes from radiation therapy. I"m going 9hours in between pain medication doses. This is a good thing, because for several months there, I was watching the clock and come that fifth hour, I was waiting for the minutes to be close enough to take that pain med. I'd never go the full six hours in between meds, so 9 hours is great! The sunburn from radiation has turned into a great tan, that is in a oval shape smack in between my boobs!
2)Looks like I'll be starting chemotherapy again. The date isn't exact yet, but it will probably be the very end of September, or the very beginning of October. The plans are exact yet, because we aren't going to start anything until we get another PET/CT scan; that's scheduled for 9/23/08. I meet again with my Oncologist on 9/25/08to finalize the chemotherapy plans. No worries though, the drugs will be different than before. Its fine, don't worry.
Steve & I are doing fine with this news; we kind of expected it, after all, the last PET scan showed various spots of new cancer growth. Don't loose sight of the big picture now,I have metastatic disease & I'll always been off & on treatment. When I'm 66years old, I'll die of pneumonia, K!
Have a great weekend,ya'll! I will.
2)Looks like I'll be starting chemotherapy again. The date isn't exact yet, but it will probably be the very end of September, or the very beginning of October. The plans are exact yet, because we aren't going to start anything until we get another PET/CT scan; that's scheduled for 9/23/08. I meet again with my Oncologist on 9/25/08to finalize the chemotherapy plans. No worries though, the drugs will be different than before. Its fine, don't worry.
Steve & I are doing fine with this news; we kind of expected it, after all, the last PET scan showed various spots of new cancer growth. Don't loose sight of the big picture now,I have metastatic disease & I'll always been off & on treatment. When I'm 66years old, I'll die of pneumonia, K!
Have a great weekend,ya'll! I will.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Last Day of Radiation
Hi all-
After 10 treatments, I've completed radiation! I didn't eat ice cream for breakfast, but I did dance a little jig in celebration. My uncle also gave me great news, which only made the day even better! So, I'm ending my evening, writing to you all, sharing my events & joy.
The dirt road that cancer has had me on, sure has been full of pot holes, but today the ride has been smooth! Days like today, are what we look forward to while participating in this battle. Please continue to write me; I still, and probably will always, draw my strength from all of you.
We won this battle!
After 10 treatments, I've completed radiation! I didn't eat ice cream for breakfast, but I did dance a little jig in celebration. My uncle also gave me great news, which only made the day even better! So, I'm ending my evening, writing to you all, sharing my events & joy.
The dirt road that cancer has had me on, sure has been full of pot holes, but today the ride has been smooth! Days like today, are what we look forward to while participating in this battle. Please continue to write me; I still, and probably will always, draw my strength from all of you.
We won this battle!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)