The results of the uterine ultrasound came back good. The spots that showed up on the CT-scan overlays were just as they suspected, a 3mm fibroid likely caused by the radiation and nothing to worry about. Then today I went to Dr. Manfre for my (not-so) annual OBGYN exam. BTW, he delivered both Andi & Tori. The last time I’d seen him was 12/07. He had done a quick rectal prod and I always wondered why THAT hadn’t detected the cancer. Today I found out... That test will tell you if there’s blood in your stool. I started getting that symptom in July. I did let him know that it was because of his recommendation (when I called about my symptom) that I got the colonoscopy in August '08. We both agreed that that early detection is why I ended up as good as I did. We had a good conversation about everything I’d gone through, and him too, having gone through liver cancer in ‘95. But ANYWAY, my exam today was fine, all appeared GOOD!! Another one down. Now Dr. Brown (surgeon) on March 2nd for my 6-month follow-up “probe”. Will the poking never end!?? :)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Tumor Marker results - Good!
It took a few extra days, but I just heard back and the blood results from my 3-month follow-up that show the tumor markers came back GOOD! You never want the numbers to go up because that is a sign that the cancer is back. They measure it in two tests, the first came back at .8 (the same as last time); and the second came back at 1.2 (which was 1.3 before), so that's lower! So the severe twinges of pain I feel down there quite often, must just be things moving around, and nothing to concern myself with. I did make my 6-month follow-up appointment with Dr. Brown for 3/2/10, so I can ask him about that then.
Now knowing those numbers, I suppose the ultrasound on my uterus this morning wouldn't have been necessary after all. They had requested I have one because.... if you recall, the CT-scan of 11/4/09 when overlaid on top of my original CT-scan from 8/08 showed the abnormalities on my liver had not grown. However, during that same overlay, they saw a mark on my uterus that wasn't there originally. They feel certain it's either inflammation or scar tissue due to the radiation or surgery I had in between, but wanted it checked out. Those results should be back in a couple of days, as well as my mammogram results. I requested the doctor write me a letter compiling all the results in a nice little (layman's term) package for my records. I'll blog those when I hear back! (I guess it's time to hit our deductible for yet another year.)
Now knowing those numbers, I suppose the ultrasound on my uterus this morning wouldn't have been necessary after all. They had requested I have one because.... if you recall, the CT-scan of 11/4/09 when overlaid on top of my original CT-scan from 8/08 showed the abnormalities on my liver had not grown. However, during that same overlay, they saw a mark on my uterus that wasn't there originally. They feel certain it's either inflammation or scar tissue due to the radiation or surgery I had in between, but wanted it checked out. Those results should be back in a couple of days, as well as my mammogram results. I requested the doctor write me a letter compiling all the results in a nice little (layman's term) package for my records. I'll blog those when I hear back! (I guess it's time to hit our deductible for yet another year.)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Another 3-month follow-up
I just got back from the Cancer Center and my 3-month follow-up, getting blood drawn and vitals, and meeting with Dr. Basche. She was happy to see that my energy level is good, the numbness in my feet MAY be getting a little better, and my other issue I had after my hook-up is very much under "control" and that may weight is back up (130-"ish") My blood counts look good, but the tumor marker results will be available Thursday (if they get them back on time). Again, the comparison of the 2 previous CT-scan indicate that the spots on my liver are likely benign cysts, and nothing to be concerned about because there was no growth in a year.
There was one thing mentioned today that I hadn't heard before, and that was there's something in my uterus that showed up on the last CT-scan, but they're very sure it's just inflammation from the radiation, and because I had chemo recently I was assured it's probably not cancer - BUT to get an appointment for an ultrasound from my OBGYN. Which I just did. So, I now have more Dr. appointments lined-up: A mammogram on 2/4; uterine ultrasound on 2/25; my next CT-scan on 4/27; and the next 3-mo. visit w/ Basche on 5/4.
Doug is visiting his mother in the nursing home in Illinois, so my friend Ola came with today. She was able to see the facility including the radiation and infusion rooms. I got a little emotional when I revisited some of the things I'd gone through in there. I introduced her to many of the nurses after I got some big hugs from them - and even Rick & Scott were there, Rick getting his 50th chemo treatment, praying that this last ditch effort finally helps him.
So that's it for now, and I send this reminder once again, if you haven't done so, please get your colonoscopy......... It saves lives!
There was one thing mentioned today that I hadn't heard before, and that was there's something in my uterus that showed up on the last CT-scan, but they're very sure it's just inflammation from the radiation, and because I had chemo recently I was assured it's probably not cancer - BUT to get an appointment for an ultrasound from my OBGYN. Which I just did. So, I now have more Dr. appointments lined-up: A mammogram on 2/4; uterine ultrasound on 2/25; my next CT-scan on 4/27; and the next 3-mo. visit w/ Basche on 5/4.
Doug is visiting his mother in the nursing home in Illinois, so my friend Ola came with today. She was able to see the facility including the radiation and infusion rooms. I got a little emotional when I revisited some of the things I'd gone through in there. I introduced her to many of the nurses after I got some big hugs from them - and even Rick & Scott were there, Rick getting his 50th chemo treatment, praying that this last ditch effort finally helps him.
So that's it for now, and I send this reminder once again, if you haven't done so, please get your colonoscopy......... It saves lives!
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