Back to see Dr L - Friday, May 1, 2015
Since my notification on Tuesday night that my cancer was back, I’ve been thinking about it more than I’d like to admit. The Lord brought me through two rounds of cancer in the last 8 and a half years and now I have the opportunity to walk closer with Him again.
Today Verna and I met with Dr L for discussion and planning. He had already spoken with the ENT doctor and had a copy of the pathology report. He had reviewed my previous treatment and showed us a chart with three possible treatments for my current diagnosis, but first he needs to do some tests.
Next week he will schedule me for a full body PET Scan, endoscopy and lumbar puncture – all for the purpose of determining where the cancer is located – also called staging. Should know the results of this in a couple of weeks.
The good news is that the procedures he talked about for treating me are somewhat milder than they were in 2006/2007.
PET Scan scheduled - Monday, May 4, 2015
Well, this weekend we were in Raleigh, NC for the First Communion of our youngest grandchild, Matthew. Also a good chance to see and visit with our sons and their families.
On the way back to Charlotte this morning we got a call from Dr L’s office, and the PET Scan has been scheduled for this Wednesday at 7:15am.
Someone asked the other day how I was feeling. I feel a little tired; that could be from the cancer or it could just be from getting a little older each day. Overall, I feel great.
Blessings. Til later.
Test Procedures are scheduled - Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Late yesterday I got scheduled for my Lumbar puncture. It will be Wednesday the 6th, sometime after the PET Scan. It’s not scheduled until 1pm, but hopefully they can move it up a little closer to my 7:45am PET Scan – so I can have something to eat before 3 or 4pm.
Today I got a call to schedule the upper endoscopy; they could also do it tomorrow, but at a different location, so it got rescheduled for next week Thursday, the 14th.
So, now the fun begins…
Day 1 of tests completed - Thursday, May 7, 2015
Yesterday we arrived at the hospital about 7am for a PET scan at 7:45. Their 7am patient was a no show so my procedure got moved up. Finished about 9:30. Next procedure (lumbar puncture) was scheduled for 1pm, but they were able to move it up 10:15, so we were out by 12:15pm. Had to remain relatively flat the rest of the day after getting home. No more testing until next Thursday.
Good News - Friday, May 8, 2015
Received a call this morning from Dr L’s office and was told that the results of the PET Scan on Wednesday showed that there was no Lymphoma below the neck. In the words of the doctor, “This is good news”. Praise the Lord.
Mostly just waiting now… - Thursday, May 14, 2015
These days I’ve just been mostly waiting. Waiting is sometime good, but too much waiting gives you too much time to think, and that’s not always good.
Today I went in for an upper endoscopy (also known as EGD, it is a procedure in which a thin scope with a light and camera at its tip is used to look inside the upper digestive tract — the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum.) They took some samples and sent them off for analysis. The procedure took about 10 minutes, but I was knocked out with Propofol. The doctor said it might take 7-10 days to get the results back, so now we have more waiting…
More good news… - Monday, May 18, 2015
Just got a call from the docotor’s office that did the upper endoscopy. All specimens were negative of cancer! Thank you Lord. Still have not heard any results from the lumbar puncture taken on May 6th.
Treatment Plan - Thursday, May 21, 2015
Went to see Dr L (my oncologist) this morning. We already had the results of the PET scan and Upper Endoscopy, but not the Lumbar Puncture – it was also negative. So, the only cancer found was via the PET scan and it is isolated to the head and neck area. Thank you Lord. By the way, found out that there is no ‘staging’ for relapses.
Treatment will be, if we understood correctly, Day 1: Rituxan and Bendamustine HCL; Day 2: Bendamustine HCL; wait 26 days and repeat. There will be PET scans after the 2nd and 4th cycles. Depending on results of PET scan, treatment may stop after 4 cycles, or continue on for 6 cycles. Dr L says that there is about a 90% chance of remission with this procedure, but based on how well I did on the first round of treatment 8 years ago, my chances may be higher. Thanks again Lord.
I will be getting a dual port installed in my chest next Wednesday to facilitate the infusion and the treatment may start as early as next Thursday (May 28), but more likely the following Thursday.
So, how do I feel about this? Obviously, I’m not thrilled about my cancer coming back, but realizing that it has… I’m thankful that it was caught before it’s spread further. I’m thankful that the treatment appears (only time will tell) to be a lot easier / less aggressive than the first time around. I’m thankful for a supportive wife and family and friends. Most of all, I’m thankful knowing that if/when things don’t work out here, there will be a place in heaven waiting for me because of Jesus. Thank you Lord.
First Treatment Scheduled - Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Just got a call with information on my first treatment. It will be Thursday June 4th at 8am.
Dual Power Port Installed - Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Arrived at CMC – Pineville at 1pm for a 2:30pm procedure to install the port in my chest; left at 6:20pm. This was my first visit to the Pineville hospital of CMC and must say that I was not favorable impressed. Not judging them solely on the installation of the port.
The purpose of the port is eliminate the sticking of ones arm to insert an IV every time a blood test is needed or chemo is administered. I had one installed from Nov 2006 to May 2010.
My understanding of what they did: Two incisions are made, one in the fleshy part of the chest to install the port and one just above the collarbone. The port is placed in the chest and a small tube is run along the bone up to the opening at the collarbone. At the collarbone, the tube is inserted into the vein and secured.