Merry Christmas!!

Update from the last entry where I was preparing for the surgery.  I updated this on my Facebook status, but here's a recap.  Went in for the surgery in September and the Dr peeked around inside and decided that the chemo was doing a pretty good job and closed me up and sent me home.  Went back to see Dr Coscio and she wanted me to do four more treatments and then do a scan.  Did my four and had a CT and MRI last Friday.  Nothing like getting up at 430 am in order to drive 35 miles into town (sounds like I live out in the country or something!) to MD Anderson main campus.  Rolled into the valet about 630 am and prepped for the CT scan of the chest.  Piece of cake, been there, done that.  Finished up and went down 3 floors and prepped for the MRI.   This time was better than the last MRI.  I got the newer MRI machine which is a little bigger so it wasn't so claustrophobic feeling.  They also gave me headphones that seemed to be playing the Mike and Mike sports talk show.  Sometimes it was hard to hear the machine instructions to breath and hold your breath....MRI's are LOUD.  The good thing about early appointments is you finish early too.  So I was back home for lunch and then into the office for a couple hours.

Today, December 12, was my doctor visit today to review the CT/MRI...Met with Alicia, the PA today, I guess Coscio was busy.  Anyway she said "good news, the scans looked great..."  The two smaller lesions did not change size, the larger one moderately decreased in size...So, still responding positively....and so.....I get 4 more treatments!    Good news, I don't have to start up again until after the New Year.  Four more treatments then we'll scan again and go from there.   I'll take advantage of the break to get out there and walk some more.  During the period between last chemo and the planned surgery, I walked about 150 miles in 7 weeks, and felt great.  I tried to continue walking after I started chemo again, but man, I could not find the energy.  But with this winter break of a few weeks I am going to try and get out there again.

This time around (the last 4) has been the roughest, emotionally.  Just didn't feel like I was going to get to the 4th one any time soon.  But then it came and I was done.  Yeah, I was disappointed that I have 2 more months of chemo after the first of the year, but I am just ready to knock this thing out!!  The treatments aren't too bad.  I feel very fortunate that I feel as good as I do.  Alicia said I was a rock star with the treatments.  All of my lab numbers are great and my liver enzymes are great, meaning the liver is tolerating the chemo very well.  After this next round, if all three lesions continue to shrink, I guess we will keep going until the tumors stabilize and then the liver Dr will decide what the next move will be.  

So....bring it on!  Looking forward to Christmas with my grandson, greeting the new year with a new grand daughter and an awesome 2015!  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and I look forward to bringing more good news in the new year!!