Good

The latest PET Scan results are in (I had the test on the 23rd) and they are good. Or great. Or not so good. I'm realizing that at this stage it's all in the perception and interpretation of what constitutes a positive result. Of course for me the fact that I'm still blogging about it counts as a positive result here!

Most of the bone tumors have shrunk. Good! Some of the lymph node tumors have shrunk. Good! Some of the lymph node tumors have grown ever so slightly. Not so good. Some new tumors have sprouted ("Don't worry," says my oncologist, "the new ones aren't in places that will kill you."). Gonna call that not so good anyhow. Some tumors have disappeared. Great! There continues to be no major organ involvement (no lungs, no liver). Great! I won't have to switch to a new chemotherapy regimen, I can stick with the one I'm on. Good?

Given the mixed results, I have to go with what I felt upon hearing the news - happy and relieved. While I do have side effects from the chemo (especially towards the end of the 2-week cycle), they are relatively manageable and I do not look forward to the time when I will have to get used to a new medication (i.e. when this one stops working). And the fact that the cancer remains confined to the bones and lymph nodes gives me hope that the chemo is doing the job to the extent that it needs to, keeping the disease at bay.

Most importantly, other than the chemo side effects I feel well - no pain, good energy (again, except in the last few days of a cycle), blood work is within acceptable (if not normal) levels, and only rare bouts of malaise. Let's call that good.

Also good - being able to look forward to some upcoming events: a visit to Charleston with my girlfriends, my brother's 45th birthday, Taryn's 21st birthday (which, by the way, is turning into a major GALAGANZA). Ah, I do so enjoy my periodic re-entry into the blissful state of denial.

And I now call upon all the wonderful good people in my life to share some of the prayers you generously bestow upon me with these folks: the family of the late Dewey Cox, who mourn the loss of their dear mother and grandmother; Peg, a fellow congregant whose fight against breast cancer eerily mimics my own; and Joan, a faithful blog follower and supporter of mine who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. May God give them all the strength and love they need to help them through the difficult times ahead.

Blessings and Love to All.