TAKE TWO!

Scene 1: Patient is waiting in the dim lighted room as the nuclear medicine moves through her body over 45 minutes. The radiologist moves her to the PET SCAN machine and explains how the 20 - 30 minute procedure will run. She lays down on the flat surface, head on a pillow and knees at an angle on a wedge. The radiologist moves to his safe encased area and looks out the window at the patient and begins the procedure.

Yep...that was me laying there. I prayed for courage. I prayed that the final report would not be as bad as the CAT scan had indicated. I prayed that the next time I had a PET SCAN I would be free of any "sparkles" that indicate HOT SPOTS or cancer!

Scene 2: After the procedure, Charles and I went and had a great lunch together. Just as in a movie, we acted as if it was a regular day and we were regular folks on a regular trip to Tupelo. We didn't even talk about what the possibilities could be ahead. It was wonderful!

Scene 3: Arrive at Hematology and Oncology. Patients were coming in and out. Some with a faint smile when I said "hello." Some with that far away look that reminded me of what chemo therapy does. Waiting room 1  - 15 minutes. Waiting room 2 - 90 minutes Individual room with doctor - 10 minutes.

Scene 4: My wonderful oncologist, Dr. Julian Hill entered the room with a copy of the PET Scan results. Where my CAT scan indicated something in an aortic lymph node - (cue dramatic music) there was nothing!!! Where my CAT scan indicated a third place on my liver - (cue dramatic music) there was none!!! Where I once had a hot spot in my lung - yep you guessed it...(cue dramatic music) the radiation did its job. No longer HOT!

The two spots on my liver that I have had since day one - are HOT! (Don't you love that lingo for cancer)
One hotter than the other. Just as my new obgyn oncologist had thought - colon cancer cells had moved in to my uterus and set up shop. Also, there is something that has developed close or on my urethra. Both of these new occurrences are consistent with colon cancer.

Scene 5: I look at Charles to get a smile about the good news, and to look for comfort about the other. I got both. Dr. Hill said, "Let's get you in remission again!" So, the week after Thanksgiving I will be directed in the sequel of my first movie, "Colon Cancer on the Run!"

I look forward to meeting my supporting cast.

OK - seriously, the chemo therapy will be as last time. Twelve treatments, every two weeks. Avastin to chase down the irregular cells and cut the blood supply off from them.

Here are my three main prayer request right now:

1. That the medicine won't have the same effect on my hands and feet. That this time I won't face neuropothy.
 2. Not as big a deal...but sometimes colon cancer chemo does not cause hair to fall out - that would be a plus.
3. Third, that I would be able to bring joy and comfort to those around me as we watch the drip enter out bodies.

There are No Politics in Cancer

This morning waking up after election day, I had a nonsensical thought! What if I could vote not to have cancer?

The way it stands now - that option is not available. The only vote I have is to take Chemo and fight or not and see what happens. That is a no brainer!

Let me back up and get you caught up on my campaign trail. August 2014 I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. I had surgery in September of 14 and started chemo in October 14. I completed the chemo and avastin in July 14. Through out the last two years, I have had ablation on the spots on my liver in March of 16 and radiation on a spot on my lung in August 16. Many CAT Scans, a couple of PET Scans and here I find myself in the race again.

From August through October I have not felt my best! Doctors have passed me around (I AM VERY GRATEFUL!!!) to those who they feel are the expert in what ails me!

Yesterday after a CAT Scan, Dr. Hill prescribed a PET Scan for next Tuesday. I have a new place in an aortic lymph node, a new spot on my liver at the intersection of the flaps, and it seems it has mastitised to my cervix. (The wonderful new doctor on my team, Dr. Paul Seago from Madison, MS voiced that the occurrence was very rare.) The PET Scan will better show the places of activity!

A coworker of mine came in my office this morning and spoke words of encouragement and motivation. He reminded me of how tolerant my body was of the chemo treatment the first time. So, I will sit on that remembrance for sure. For like it or not...another round of chemo likely is in the near future.

Here is why I have voted to continue this race!
1 Charles
2. My children
3. My grandchildren
4. My first great grandchild who is due in April of 17.
5. New people I will meet at Cancer Care...seeing those I already know...remembering those who  
    have lost their election.
6. My coworkers - even though I retire in 27 days, they will always mean so much to me.
7. To be the hands and feet of Jesus until he calls me home.

I have not been intentional when it comes to adding to this blog, but something got me started this morning and I hope to continue through the next part of this journey.

I will not die but live and declare the works of the Lord. Psalm 118:17

Cancer - Take Two!

 As Colon Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, please don't forget to be checked!

On April 22, 2015 I took my last chemo treatment. Almost a year!

In early March, an appointment was made to have a CAT Scan to wrap this cancer journey up!! Charles was with me when the doctor told me it looked like a spot on my lung. He was not real worried about it, said it was not consistent with colon cancer, but he ordered a PET Scan to be sure.

On March 10, I had the PET Scan that gave the results. Lung - No Problem! But two lesions were found on my liver. I am so grateful Dr. Hill pushed to find out about the lung...if not, my liver would have gone undetected.

When Colon cancer escapes the colon, it can metastasis in liver. Having Stage IV colon cancer, I am blessed that it is only in my liver.

So...detour up ahead. I was sent to the Premier Intervention Radiology Clinic. 
Dr. Jeffery Howard is an intervention radiologist. And I believe also, a radiology oncologist. Whew. He will preform an microwave ablation on Wednesday, March 30, 2016. I understood from the nurse, that he has been using this treatment for about a year. (Click on the link to find out more about the procedure...in a nutshell, he is going to ZAP! my liver with radiation by going inside with the instrument.)

I realize now I had blocked out putting out an update because the reality of having this re-occurrence makes it real. But, as a precious friend pointed out to me...how would my friends and prayer warriors know to pray!!!???

Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I will keep you posted on this wonderful newer form of treatment.

Just as with me, many of my Cancer Peeps who were in treatment with me are also back at it.

Please pray for:
 Loraine - colon cancer metastasized to lymph nodes
Charles G - metastasized to liver
Mr. T - Colon Cancer re-occurred.