Results

My CT-scan report came in as I was getting chemo today. Without giving a million details, I hope my explanation of the report makes sense.

At first I was quite disappointed because, to my non-medical mind, the report was vague regarding my liver, and it seemed that things had not changed significantly. My liver enzymes were slightly elevated today as well. My chemo nurse quickly arranged a meeting with my oncologist.

He explained that with breast cancer, sometimes it takes awhile for the scans to catch up with the real progress that is being made. He did a thorough exam, asked many questions about how I'm feeling, then assured me that he believes I am getting better and that we need to stick to the course. He also explained that they have found that if a breast cancer gets into a remission very quickly, it is often a short remission. If it takes longer to get results, then the remission often lasts much longer. He used the analogy of a willow tree that grows very quickly, but is weak, versus an oak tree that takes longer to grow, but is very strong and resilient.

My last CT-scan was not immediately available for comparison, so I will ask my doctor to do a visual comparison of his own next week. We will also request a follow-up with the lung specialist to get her analysis.

The chemo is filtered through my liver as it is healing, and is therefore stressful to the liver, so my doc cut back on my dosage today. We will continue with our routine of chemo every week for three weeks, then take a week off.

Overall, I left the office feeling very optimistic. It was good to have my friend, Anne, by my side. My chemo nurse was also very helpful and encouraging, assuring me that she has seen many success stories, and that there is a "huge arsenal" of things that can be done if this chemo does not work. Have I mentioned the value of good nurses?

When I'm riding the emotional roller coaster, it sure helps to know my Father is the Creator of the World, the King of Kings, and the Great Physician.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-11