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Oncology Appointment

Well, today was my dreaded Oncology appointment. I had planned all week on what I wanted to say and was sort of prepared for a fight if necessary. But, it did not happen. I met with my Oncologist and I did bring up some of my concerns but did not get to others after he stated the chemo was over. Apparently as he stated, too much time has passed in order for the chemo to be feasible or effective. From what I do understand, the post surgery chemo is basically an insurance policy. You could still have cancer cells in your body and system. You may not have cancer cells remaining. There is no real, definite or precise way of knowing until it develops into a size visible with a CAT Scan. The time frame in question is basically due to the fact that if there is any cancer present as a beginning cell it can be eliminated through chemo. If it has grown or spread, all the chemo would do would be to keep it in check, not eliminate it. After that, radiation might reduce it and surgery might remove it depending on where or how far it has spread but chemo would no longer very effective. On the bright side of all of that, My surgical lab and pathology reports showed no visible cancer cells present and post operative CAT Scans showed no cancer or tumors present.

So for now the chemo is over and done with. I guess that is also good in a way. My body and systems will not be subjected to any more debilitating attacks. I will have more time to heal and recover from its affects and the trauma I was subjected to. Maybe this is the way it was meant to be. As it has been said many times, "Things happen for a reason." Maybe I did not need it. Maybe I got sick for a reason so it would end. Maybe . . .

As far as the next step with the Oncologist it will be mainly monitoring and closely watching. I have another appointment scheduled for the end of January. Prior to that I will have another CAT Scan to see what if anything shows up. Then probably another one down the road. How long that will go on I don't know. Maybe until we are sure. As for the blood pressure issue, I will have to go to my primary care doctor and have him check it out. Perhaps on to a specialist after that and maybe a nutritionist depending on what if anything is found. I did encounter one other concern today however. When they went to take my blood sample before the exam, they could not find a viable vein in my left arm. I have always been appreciated by all the nurses in my past as they found it so easy to find veins to 'tap' for blood samples and IV's. Today, not so good. It is possible that the IV Phenergan in my last hospital stay did more damage than previously noted. Just another 'little something else' I will need to get checked out.

Do I See The Light ?

I think I am beginning to see a bright object off in the distance. Perhaps the 'Light At The End Of The Tunnel' is getting closer. I am still not out of the dark yet. I have an appointment with my surgeon for next month at which time he will schedule a Colonoscopy (Whoopee) and another Barium Ileostomy Scan (Double Whoopee). Depending on those results the next step may be scheduling my final surgery. There is still a chance for cancer to show up elsewhere. It could happen to anyone. There is a chance it has not completely gone and is waiting to show up in some other place at some other time. All I know is after all I have been through if it does show its ugly presence again I will be tempted to beat its ugly lame butt with a lead hammer. I am sure I can order a cheap lead hammer from China, since everything there seems to be made out of lead.

Thank you all again for your support, well wishes and prayers. It certainly would have been a much longer, more difficult and extremely lonely journey without you.

Take care and enjoy the remainder of your week.