Friday, February 25, 2011

Not my first rodeo

I did see the lung dr and he did a bronchoscopy on Thursday. This is a procedure where they put a scope into my lungs and take fluid and tissue samples to biopsy. He called today with the results - the cancer has spread into my lungs like we thought. My oncologist wants me to start chemo next week. This new regimen will be 2 drugs on week one (Gemzar and Cisplatin), one drug on week two (Gemzar), then weeks 3 and 4 are off. I'll do this for the next 6 months. Thankfully, I shouldn't lose my hair this time. But I will have the same nausea and "yuckies" to get through.

I'm actually feeling pretty yucky already. I still have this awful cough that has made my entire torso hurt. And my oxygen level is low so I have shortness of breath and I can't do anything without huffing and puffing. The lung dr gave me an inhaler to use, so maybe that will help. He was a really serious guy and I appreciate him putting a rush on everything. He asked if it was okay to call me if the news was bad or would I rather come in to hear it in person. I said a phone call was fine, I'd heard the same news before. This wasn't my first rodeo, unfortunately.

So now I'm gearing up for my next "rodeo." I've got my vitamins and supplements stocked up. I'm planning my diet with good foods. Got my support system ready and waiting. And I'm surrounding myself with positive, inspirational messages. I've made up cards with healing scriptures that I read out loud as often as I can. I believe God will be the one to make me better. He will use the doctors and the drugs, but it will be His Will that ultimately makes it happen. I feel confident and assured that I am in Good Hands for this next part of my journey. In the words of Spongebob Squarepants, "I'm ready, I'mmm ready, I'mmmmmm ready!"

Monday, February 14, 2011

My cancer journey is not over . . .

I had my PET scan last Thursday and I talked to the nurse this evening about the results. Right now there are new spots "lighting up" indicating cancer - 2 new lymph nodes in my upper abdomen, patchy spots in my lungs, and a spot on my right femur. Apparently, all the original lymph nodes are now clear, but I have these new ones that have popped up. The plan is more chemo . . . just a different drug. But before I start that, he wants me to see a lung specialist and possibly get a scope to find out what's going on in my lungs. I still have this horrible hacky cough that just won't go away. My lungs did light up on the PET, so there's a chance the cancer is there, too. The femur thing is really weird. I've had no issues there, so who knows what that's all about!
So, I guess my cancer journey is not over yet. I was really, really hoping for a clean scan and an end finally to all this. But I know it's all out of my hands. It's hard not knowing what's going to happen in the near future or how my health will be. It makes planning anything impossible, it makes looking ahead pointless. I've just got to take it one day at a time and keep plugging along.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11