Yesterday I had my first follow up with Dr. L (my oncologist) since I started radiation. I always enjoy visiting with him. He felt around my face and my head and neck and didn't feel anything of concern. He also felt my arm pits (tons of lymph nodes in your arm pits) and didn't find anything. This is good news. We talked about the likelihood that I will get another cancer lump in the radiation field. He said it would be slim to none that it would come back in the radiation field. But it will come back elsewhere. I know that but I don't like to think about it. It is kind of funny thinking about just waiting for it to show up again. Hopefully it will be another 7 years! He did say my eyebrow dent could be filled cosmetically if I wanted. He said if cancer will come back in that area, it will push any filler out of the way. I see Dr. S next week so we can talk about it.
We also talked about the work that is being done in St. George for cancer. He knew all about it and said it was DNA testing that helps target treatments. It was mostly for people with complex cancers that didn't respond to other treatments. He felt confident I was doing the right thing and we didn't need further dissection at this point because I am doing targeted therapy and I am responding. We are actually doing a pretty minimal treatment considering all the choices.
Then we talked about my....cardiac episode. He pulled up the medical records on file and said he was proud that all things were good. He explained that the CT/PET Scan they did was just of my heart area so it wasn't as helpful to him to consider it a scan we could use. So we agreed to do another CT Scan before I see him again in October.
We talked about the Magnasphere and the supplements the Chiropractor recommended. Dr. L seemed about as skeptical as I am but didn't think they would harm anything. He is not sure it is going to help and we spent a little time talking about the placebo effect. I am totally on board with Dr L's thoughts but I can't help but feel like exploring a little isn't a bad thing. I do think I am open minded enough but smart as to really evaluate and see if they are helping.
Finally we talked about the treatments coming down the pike. He has a patient in a clinical trial that is having amazing responses. The treatments should be available later this year or in 2015. That is pretty exciting news.
So on the cancer front, I have a pass card until October.
Tonight I met some friends for "Death Star Thursday". A local Mexican restaurant has huge jungle juice drinks for cheap. They are so strong, you can only have 2 and you must order a meal. I actually skipped the Death Star and had a fantastic frozen margarita. It was $1 more then a Death Star but I highly suspect it was a better choice for my liver because it is less alcohol and honestly, it tasted fantastic. I'm really tired of not drinking socially. I just might have to loosen up a bit on my strict personal rules. Liver....schmither.
Today I was trying to put mascara on for dinner and realized I have lost maybe 1/2 of my right eyelashes. They are quite sparse and spikey. Kimberlee (who I met for dinner) happens to do artificial eyelashes. She said she would help balance out my lashes. She has lashes that are 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3. I don't know if it is wise to glue lashes on or not. I wonder if they would be irritating to my burned out eye. She is going on vacation so I have a few weeks before I could do anything so I will ponder the whole prospect.
Today is the 24th of July which is a huge deal here in Utah. I often consider it the "Mormon Holiday" as it celebrated the Pioneers arriving in Utah. Unfortunately, working for an East Coast company, I worked. It sort of felt like I was being kept after school or not able to go outside for recess. But I made it and I will use my vacation day I would have burned having today off to do something fun another time when everyone else is working.
A little update on Philip - he is leaving tomorrow to go on a campus tour as Arizona State University (ASU). They seem very interested in him and can't wait to have him on campus. His Dad is taking him. They are doing a tour on Monday and taking time to tour around Phoenix and Tempe. It's going to be super hot weather wise. I do hope Philip has a great visit and it helps him learn more what the school has to offer. It is weird to think Philip will be applying early next year. He has narrowed down to 4 schools - U of U, ASU, NC State, and UC Berkeley. Pretty exciting. If I can get him to tell me about it or send me photos, I will share.
Hope everyone is doing well. Hard to believe school starts in 1 month!!
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