My LMS adventure

So Monday I got the PET scan results. The cancer is gone from the liver. The CT scan was showing the scar tissue. Basically it's the difference between a black and white and color photograph. The PET scan shows where there's growth... and none showed. My doctor says to go have fun, enjoy... I've got another PET scan scheduled Mid September to see if it has come back. So I walked into the appointment, expecting liver surgery, and walked out with a clean (ish) bill of health. I'm celebrating. (yes, I know, it will probably come back... but right now, it is gone, and I am going to enjoy this time...) Meanwhile, I got notice from my rental's management company that the condo owner wants to move a relative into the condo. I've got until the end of August to find a new place. I had planned on moving, to reduce expenses... Now I need to gather boxes and get used to the fact that I'm going to live. I'm working to increase my activity; I've be

So that was an interesting appointment. I expected two more rounds of chemo. Instead, I'm getting a PET scan at the end of the week, and a consult with a liver surgeon. Per the CT Scan: lung lesions gone/smaller. Adrenal gland lesion smaller. Liver mets same or slightly larger. So... more testing, and possible liver resection.... depending on the location of the liver lesion. I wasn't expecting surgery as an option. I'll know more in a couple weeks.

For the past 7 months, I've been living with three futures. Until we know how effective the chemotherapy is, my future might be: A. NED (No Evidence of Disease) B. Liver Tumor reduced, but not eliminated, more treatment (chemo, radiation, surgery) necessary. C. Nothing worked, call Hospice. I assume there are other options, but I only need to process three general futures at a time. I've got running lists for each of these. Some overlap (Do short term disability paperwork, apply for disability, write out a will, decide who gets what, and when.) Ultimately, I just need to know if I'll be around for 6 months or 6 years or 16 years. (How much yarn do I need so I don't run out while my hands need to knit...) Here are some of the plans on hold: Where do I live? The current condo is perfect for who I was a year ago. I need a less expensive home, but don't want to move far from Moffitt, if B is the outcome. If A, move to cheaper place, and enjoy. If C,

Nice quiet day yesterday, got yarn for a couple baby blankets, started one. But the big news is that today is my CT Scan. I've been waiting for this since January.... Now I find out what is happening inside my body. How's that liver doing? Thinking happy thoughts, does it work? We'll see soon. I also made arrangements to meet friends for lunch on Saturday, so I can give Judy the Pfalzgraff Heritage dishes and accessories. Just need to nail down a time and location. This will be an introduction of my roommate to my friends, so I'm excited to see different areas of my life coming together. Mom comes the following weekend, and results from my CT Scan today will be discussed with Mom, Roommate and Oncologist on Monday, the 20th. Following the usual chemo therapy, I'd have chemo that day, but none is scheduled, I assume because we're waiting for the results. Maybe more, maybe different, maybe no more.... All the questions will be answered soon. Okay,

The tradition at some cancer centers is that after the last treatment, the patient rings a bell. There's a ships' bell installed at Moffitt Cancer Center's Infusion Center. Yesterday was the last of the six cycles that were discussed when I first consulted with Dr. Chon. Friday I have a CT scan, to see if these 6 cycles (and a 6 week break) worked. It didn't feel right to ring the bell. Dr. Chon and I have already discussed a possible 2 more cycles, to make up for the "chemo vacation" I took due to the pneumonia. I will ring the bell....even if I have to make a special trip after the Dr. appointment on the 20th, when we review the CT results. 3 Good Things for today: 1. I finished the 6 original cycles. 2. I rescheduled an important phone call. 3. I get to knit today.

Quiet weekend. 1. A friend came over and is cleaning my kitchen. 2. Yesterday I had lunch with dear friends and talked for almost long enough. 3. Able to nap this afternoon... have a bit of a cold and therefore, an excuse to be quiet.

Tomorrow is my last day of chemo. This takes me through the original six cycles that were needed. Dr. Chon and I have discussed (theoretically) another two rounds. That depends on what the results of the CT scan is. The scan is next Friday, July 10th; Results on the 20th. At Moffitt, when a patient completes chemo, they ring a bell as they leave. Rather fun, I've been in the waiting room many times when the bell was rung.... the response is a round of applause. Probably better than a standing ovation... because the patient knows each person applauding knows the time and patience that has gone into ringing that bell. I'm not sure if I'm going to ring the bell tomorrow.... Is it bad luck to prematurely ring it? 1. Sunday = new Postsecret.com post. 2. Going to hang out at the pool this afternoon. 3. Finishing a pair of socks that I've been knitting for 3 years (not continuously, these got lost in the bottom of a knitting bag for several years.) Actually

It's not exactly 6 months since I was diagnosed, just close. Since others are stopping and thinking about Freedom and Liberty, I'm thinking about the last 6 months. What a wild ride it has been. So many quiet times. Who knew that I could spend an hour staring at a ceiling fan? My stamina is gone, my will power is gone. Sometimes I smile when I realize that I can eat anything I want... but I don't want to eat anything. Nothing tastes good. I've become very grateful for this time to think, and sort through my life. I've started so many knitting projects and abandoned them. Some were just left in a knitting bag, pattern, needles and all. Others were never completed or pieced together. I found a pair of white socks that were 3/4 finished.. really all the hard parts were done. I'm half an inch from casting those off. Some of the projects are lost causes. The pattern is lost, the project is the wrong size, etc. Those I've frogged (rip it, rip