Numbers Falling!! Hooray!

Yesterday I had a routine visit with my oncologist before chemo. They handed me two graphs showing how the tumor markers in my body are dropping. They dropped a lot and the graphs only showed one month's activity!

The CEA test went from 770 to 575.

The 27-29 test went from 1500 to 750.

I was definitely overdue for some good news! These tests are blood tests and they are used as indicators of whether or not the medicine is working. So it looks like the medicine is working. Woohoo!

I have a brain MRI next week and will report back with results. I've scheduled my CT, bone and heart scans for April so it will be good to get through April.

Keep sending prayers and good thoughts. I love you all!

Chug Chug Chuggin' Along

Well, the excitement of brain radiation is over and life has returned to what is normal for me. Chemo every week for three weeks and then one week off. Currently I am in my week off and it's just so nice. Yes, I'm super tired all the time still because there is a war of good vs. evil waging in my body. Good will prevail!!

It's nice to be in the office all week. It feels normal to be able to pop in on co-workers and go to last minute meetings for the grads. And I have to admit I like to appear somewhat "normal" to others.

That is, if you call a horrific acne rash all over my face normal. Thank you Tykerb. It's a side effect of that medicine. The doctor says people who have breakouts on Tykerb are usually the ones that do well on it. I had a small rash when I was on it before, but nothing like this. Upon my return after the clinical trial, it's as if my teenage years just exploded across my face. Like totally grody to the max.

One good thing to feed what little vanity I have is that I have lost 30 pounds over the last few months. The fat clothes I had to buy to accommodate my steroid puffed up body (chemo comes with steroids) are now falling off. I don't even own a belt. So, I'm wondering... Do I buy new clothes or do I wait to see if I puff up again? Breast cancer is the gift that keeps on giving and weight gain is one of her favorites. I really like losing the weight but part of the mental battle is knowing that one of the reasons I have done well on treatment is that I am not a petite girl. I have substance and girth and that has helped tremendously. So I don't want to get too small. Just one more size. That'll be it. Really. :) and oh yeah, maybe a little more hair.

My hair is the longest it has been since the diagnosis. Hooray! The back is down past my ears and the top is down to my ears. I am going to grow it as long as I can so I can say fuck you cancer!!! I look like a long haired hippy acned up teenager. Yeah, take that cancer!!

I'll spare you the ridiculousity of the scheduling of my follow-up brain MRI. Dr. Shah had to step in and reschedule it for me since I have been told conflicting information. First I was told it would be an 8 week follow-up then I was told a 6 week follow-up then they had me 4 weeks out so it had to be moved. Then it was moved and then I had to move the follow-up doctor appointments until after the MRI. Doesn't that make sense? Meet the doctors after the follow-up MRI? One nurse needed to be convinced. Me oh my. She even had to ask the doctor before she had an answer.

Follow-up brain MRI is on March 24th. I meet Dr. Bobustic on March 26th to get his opinion and then Dr. Ramakrishna on March 29th to get his. My CT, heart & bone scans will be sometime in April. So, all is status quo for now. Just chug chug chuggin' along.

Keep praying and thinking good thoughts. I know it's working! Love to you all!