It's about G.D. time! We finally got some good news today in the midst of this big mess we find ourselves in. Last Friday I went to the imaging center to have a CT Scan performed on my chest. The purpose of the scan was to determine if the chemotherapy is having any effect on the cancer in my lungs. I'm am quite happy to be able to report that yes, the chemotherapy is doing it's job. Allow me to quote from the radiologist's Impression:
"Significant improvement in multiple cavitary masses in both lungs largely evidenced by decreasing solid components of the masses. This is quite dramatic along the left hemidiaphragm and in both upper lobes. There is less dramatic improvement in the right lower lobe, where there is likely tumor superimposed upon chronic scarring from a previous severe right lower lobe pneumonia. No new areas of disease."
To paraphrase: The known tumors are getting smaller. There are no new tumors. The lower right lung is too FUBAR'd to begin with so we can't really tell from the pictures if it's working in that area.
I am really pleased with this. The doctor seemed really upbeat about it. He also complimented me on my blood pressure spreadsheet saying that he'd never seen anyone be that thorough about their BP before. It too is headed in the right direction, so on the health front this was a GREAT Tuesday.
The doctor also granted my wish for an additional week off so that I can go on my motorcycle trip. w00t w00t! It happens to come at a good time during my treatment because it'll be the half-way point of the six to eight cycles. (A cycle is defined as three weeks: Two weeks with drugs, one week without. Wash, rinse, repeat) He said it might actually be good for me to have the extra week off to allow the rest of my body to recover a little more from the chemotherapy. So, it looks like my trip is actually going to happen. I've got to begin making real plans starting today. I've also got a viable solution to my NLDS conundrum thanks to Sarah Cofer. She made the suggestion that I fly home in the middle of my trip, go to the games, and then go back to my motorcycle (wherever I left it). Now why I didn't think of that? Checking prices from Denver to Cincinnati and Denver to Columbus, it looks like it might be doable. Stay tuned.
I'm glad that I'm on the right track and I love being able to write about positive happenings! I hope your day is awesome too. Thanks for reading.
