PET Scan Results!

I had my 5th chemo treatment yesterday. I also got to meet with my oncologist to discuss my treatment plan and the PET scan results. As soon as the doctor walked in the door, he said, “The PET scan results look great.” He didn’t even wait to sit down to deliver the news. He just started talking the second the door opened. He usually does not do this. When he got to his chair, he continued, “The tumor is completely gone. There is no cancer left in your liver!

David, being a probability type of guy, wanted to nail down a confidence level that all the cancer was gone, not just in the liver. So, David asked what was the doc’s confidence level of complete remission? 95%, 97%, 99%? The doc said as close to a 100% confidence level as he could possible get.

I wanted to cry when I heard the news. I thought crying would be appropriate at this point, but I just couldn’t. I have been feeling so good, that I knew I was better about a month ago. For me, the PET scan just confirmed what I was feeling both physically and emotionally.

The protocol for my therapy is to have two treatments past complete remission. The doc was hoping for complete remission at this point. So we continued with yesterday’s treatment and the treatment on Feb 22 will proceed as planned.

The very, very big question is the maintenance plan. There is no definitive protocol as research results are always changing. There is a 60% chance that the lymphoma will return within the next five years. We plan on getting a second opinion regarding maintenance from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

We celebrated last night with the amazing Saundra’s matzah ball soup, challah, and several high calorie desserts.

I thank everyone for the positive thoughts, prayers, well wishes, and karmic energy that was sent my way. Nothing like a little western medicine, a good attitude and lots of positive support to cure a cancer.