A clear CT scan

Dr. Fain, my oncologist here in Austin called me with news of my CT scan. All is clear. I remain in remission! I am very thankful for the good news. I also appreciate the personal phone call from my doctor. These things are so important. I will have a PET scan in about 3 months.

David's parents came for Passover. We had a very, very nice family visit. The last time they were here, I had just been diagnosed with lymphoma. We were trying to decide where I should begin treatment. It was a terrible, terrible time. We were in that space right after diagnosis and before treatment. I was in pain. I was short of breath. I was experiencing night sweats. Now I am back to normal-better than ever. I am so blessed to have this behind me.




This picture was taken last October during Sara and Paul's last visit. Arranging a family picture was on the top of my "to do" list as soon as I was diagnosed. During this photo session, David kept looking at me and saying, "You look good!" I responded with, "The damn irony of it all. I have never been sicker in my life."

CT Scan Today

I have my first post-chemo CT scan today. My PET scan in January showed I was in remission. I will be having CT scans every 3 months for the next year to make sure a relapse is caught early.

So this morning I will drink 450 ml of barium sulfate suspension liquid in two separate doses – one 2 hours, then 1 hour before the scan. The barium bottle euphemistically says “Creamy Vanilla Smoothie.” The other choices were chocolate and strawberry. I actually like the label- an image of an old fashioned shake next to an outline of the digestive system. I was told that the barium tastes better cold and from a straw. As I remember, it isn’t all that bad-just a little odd tasting.

I have been feeling great, but I am a little worried what the CT scan might reveal. I am optimistic, but fear can immobilize if you let it.

I will get results in about a week or sooner.

A Very Special Day

I have been away from my blog for some time. I have been feeling “blog guilt.” This is a new word I made up to describe the feeling bloggers experience when they have not posted for a while. This is a common feeling. I am now back at the keyboard.

I have not posted an entry because I have been feeling so good. I have been very busy with well, my life. I have returned to normal energy. I am tired at night, but who isn’t after a long day? I am so happy to feel normal again!

There are only a few physical things which remind me that I just went through chemo treatment: I still wear a wig because my hair is just starting to grow out. By the summer I hope I to get rid of this ridiculous hairpiece. Also, up until yesterday, I had a port in my chest.

Yesterday was a big day on several fronts…
Yes, my port was surgically removed yesterday! I am very happy about this. Since I will not have more chemo if I relapse, my oncologist recommended that the port come out. This is good as I had a small clot at the end of the port.

Also, Emma had her first sleepover with one of her little friends. This was a big deal. Emma has been asking for a while. Apparently, sleepovers are all the rage in kindergarten now.

Eric, my buddy from grad school, flew into town from Champaign, Illinois to walk a “survivor lap” with me in an American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Eric is also a cancer survivor. He had melanoma at the age of 27.He has been cancer free for 13 years. Eric used to organize the Relay for Life in Champaign, so he knew exactly what to do. What a treat to see Eric again. Eric is now a dad and a successful businessman. He is still the same, so that means is he now a funny and cool dad/ businessman.

Since I stopped taking my port medication and to celebrate seeing Eric again, I had my first margarita in 6 months. Not that I am big drinker. I just like the occasional Corona or margarita with my chips and salsa. I enjoyed that first margarita at the Oasis. We had a stunning view of the Lake. The weather was just perfect. It was a very special day.

Here are some picture of Eric and me from the event last night. As we walked our “survivor lap" around the track, people clapped and cheered for us. I felt strong and fortunate to be walking with all the other survivors. David joined us for the "caregiver lap." All three of us walked one more lap for good measure and called it a night.