MRI

   

I had my 3-month MRI today, several weeks early. Even though the techs were running behind AND couldn't find a vein for the contrast, it was pretty easy. (They stuck my hands a few times and dug around before asking if I wanted them to call a nurse to access my metaport. Ummmmm.....YES!!!!)

Dr. Fleener's office called to give me the good news that the report looks "great". Both doctors looked at it, and reported good news. 

Still in remission and feeling better every day!!!

Leave it to Fleener

Dr. F wanted to schedule a short-notice appointment from some questions I asked at treatment earlier in the week.  I snagged one of the first appointments of the morning and decided to just bring these guys and their books/iPads with me.  

I've been having a few days of blurry vision--no patterns, no consistency, and no progression.  It doesn't make sense that it would be cancer--more likely related to the meningitis/encephalitis. However, just to rule out cancer, Dr. F wanted to move my MRI up to next week.  That way, we will be able to rule out the worst and then start working on things from there--opthamologist, etc.  

The other purpose of this appointment was to discuss the timing of starting me on a pill to go along with the shot I've already started.  After a few questions about symptoms from the shot--Am I having hot flashes? (no) Any other symptoms?  (cramping, period.)  You're not bleeding, are you?  (Yep.)

Well, that makes our decision about the pill because I can't take it if I'm still menstruating.  It's weird that I have an IUD AND am on an Estrogen-blocking drug and am STILL bleeding.  It could be that I had a thick lining, and my body is getting it out.  After all, I've only had 3 shots.  Or, it could be that I am that weird patient that, if anything is going to go wrong or be weird, it will be me!

I seriously love this doctor.  I also found out this week that another friend has cancer.  She was able to get in with Dr. Fleener, and I'm so happy that her prognosis is good!!  

In other news, as if we needed another medical issue, on Saturday, Stephen woke up from a nap with intense pain that continued to become worse.  He figured it was something to do with his gall bladder.  He went to the ER, and sure enough, it was!  He was able to come home with pain meds and push surgery to a later date.  LUCKY US!!!  It's seriously always something!

 

H&P #24

 

Just finishing up the 24th doses of Herceptin and Perjeta.  It's so crazy how my life has become chunked into these 3-week periods.  But, we keep on pushing forward.

This morning I woke up feeling nauseous.  I took something to help, tried to lie down for 5 minutes, but threw up in the sink, anyway.  I've also been experiencing some blurred vision, off and on, for about a month.  It comes and goes, even within the same day, but I'll notice that looking off into the distance, everything is blurry, and even trying to read can be difficult.  I asked the nurse to pass on the info to Dr. F, and she speculated that this might be a residual symptom from the meningitis.  I meet with her again on Friday morning to discuss a few things.

Summer has been going well, thankfully.  We enjoyed a restorative week at the beach, and the boys are excited about a new summer schedule, which rewards them with money and screen time for helping out around the house and yard, as well as doing activities that keep their brains thinking.

So, life goes on, as it does for us all, with its ups and downs, the fantastic moments and the dull, and we try to take advantage of every day, trying to out run cancer for as long as we can.

Shot #3

Back from Cabo and straight in for another treatment....

At least this was a quick one.  Looking back to try to remember which dose of this shot I've had, I realize I haven't written much about it.  First of all, it's big:

I receive this once a month, so only sometimes does it fall on the same day as regular chemo.  The appointment goes like this:

sign in at the front desk

wait to be called

follow a nurse into an exam room

wait while the nurse gets the supplies

the nurse cleans and disinfects the correct area

 (We have to switch sides of the abdomen each time.)

the nurse sprays on the "cold spray"

in goes the needle

on goes the gauze and bandaid

go home.

Last month, the shot was quite painful and caused bruising.  The area was sensitive for several days.  This time wasn't so bad.  So, thanks for the prayers.  Perhaps this "cup" will not be removed from me, but I can be strengthened to endure for many, many more shots.