And the results are … - Monday, August 27, 2007
Last Thursday (8/23/07) I went to the BCC for my first post treatment 3 month CT Scan. The contrast media that I drank doesn’t taste any better now that it did 3 months ago!
Today, I went to see Dr L to find out the results of the CT Scan, and the results are… Nothing new to report. The growths in my chest area are slightly smaller than previously recorded. The largest growth, near my pancreases, is about the same size as in May. Dr L said it was mainly scar tissue, and he would not expect it to get any smaller. I will get another CT Scan in 3 months, and will get my Port-o-Cath flushed in 6 weeks.
Lingering problems …
1) Numbness in fingers is almost gone. On a daily basis I don’t ever think about it anymore. When I do think about it — it’s only in the very tips of the fingers.
2) Numbness in toes. Has not gotten any better. Beginning to think that it is unrelated to chemo. My mother had a problem with circulation in her legs when she was my age, and had to have her veins replaced. Guess I’ll have to check with my regular doctor to see what, if anything, can be done. Dr L said it could still be related to chemo, so…
3) Smell. I have no real sense of smell anymore. Sometimes I think I smell something, but it only a phantom smell. Example: Late in the afternoon I’ll be setting here working on my computer and it occurs to me that Verna is fixing supper, and it smells pretty good. When I get up to go check it out, I find that she is outside in the yard, and that supper has not been started yet. Darn! — and it smelled so good.
4) Taste. I can still taste food, but I’m beginning to wonder about it. This first couple of seconds I taste some food (like a brownie), it tastes metallic-like.
5) Weight / fluid build up. I’ve picked up about 10 pounds since my treatment ended. I’ve tried lasix’s to eliminate the fluid, but there’s not much there. I think now that perhaps the steroids that I took may have contributed to my “bulking up” – that, and a lack of exercise. I notice it mostly in my toes, fingers, and waist. But there is hope — I’ve been able to get my wedding ring back on for the first time in just the last few days.
But, when I look at the alternatives —
If I had chosen not to go with the treatments versus having the above problems … I think I made the correct choice.
May God Bless you all.
Update on 8/29/07
Next CT Scan is 11/29, with follow visit to Dr L on 12/3.