Scanxiety - Brain MRI & Full Body PET tomorrow~

[dawny]

My good thoughts are also with you Jessica
Dawn

[Bill]

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Jessica. You hang in there. You're a good fighter! I can tell by the way you straddled that dog and didn't get bit. He was scared of your spirit.

[Bill]

(you didn't get bit, did you? Because if you did, I'd feel bad about my last post. I can tell you're a fighter, though, to even try something like that. You're proud and full of courage.)

[pwiswell]

You summed up my own feelings so adequately. I suspect many of us on here share the same feelings and fears. I have not experienced NED since 2006 but have just started on Xeloda and Tykerb and hoping these are the drugs that will do it. You are in my prayers and many of us will be there with you tomorrow. Good luck and please let us know what you find out so we can all celebrate with you.

[karen z]

Jessica,
More and more positive thoughts.
K

[jml]

Hi Friends~
Thank you for sharing your words and feelings with me. There is definitely power in numbers and I can feel each every one of you.
I'm so heart broken about Brenda (Hutchibk) and with my scan situation I could hardly bring myself to log on, but knew I had to be back in touch with you, my sister warriors.
So, YES! NED in the HEAD! Thrilled with this news of course, but a little disappointed that the Rad Onc told me that the reason I have a bald'ish path down the center of my skull is bc the WBR can permanently destroy the hair follicle. Uh, NO, I don't recall you telling me that, Doc! I knew that I would lose my hair, but had no idea that it was potentially permanent!?!!? In the scheme of things, this is small potatoes, but I know you all understand the desire & need for the return to normalcy, which to me, includes having hair.
As for the PET of my body, it does look really good, with no other disease other than a lymph node in my chest that has increased in size (~dime) and SUV=13. Initially this was not extremely alarming to me, disappointing yes, but not particularly alarming. Especially because I have had much scarier results with much more significant disease load.
But then I realized the implications of the location of this growing node - it lies adjacent to the Superior Vena Cava, the main vein that returns blood to the heart from the upper body. If this node continues to grow, compress, obstruct the vessel, something called SVC Obstruction, the heart would not be able to withstand that. That would be very bad. There's no indication that the node is currently in contact/compressing the SVC, but my resting heart rate has quite high, WNL, but much higher than norm for me @90bpm's.
Ultimately, my docs say they're not alarmed and have scheduled an echocardiogram for Nov 1, if that's any indication how not so urgent the situation is. I think for my peace of mind I'm going to ask to have it scheduled sooner. Knowledge is Power.
In the meantime, I'll continue on my current regimen of oral Methotrexate 4 days/week, q3week Herceptin and a small change to the oral Cytoxan from daily to every other day. We're trying to give my bone marrow a chance while I stay on continuous treatment, rather than running it down then taking a 2 week chemo break. I need to be on sustained treatment like I was the first 6mos get this node knocked down. But you have to keep your body healthy enough to withstand the chemo in order for the chemo to work. Right now I would not be a candidate to change regimens, if there were any options, because my counts are so low.
I wish it were as simple as eating more spinach and a steak, as many have suggested, but 10years of chemo makes for sluggish, fatigued bone marrow
Right now, just trying not to let the snowball gain momentum and will continue fighting hard.
You all are a treasure to me and I ask that we all now turn our love and prayers towards Brenda.
May she always be in peace and comfort.

Keep the Faith~

Jessica

[NEDenise]

Jessica,
Thanks for posting this update. I think we all needed a little good news today...and Brenda would normally be the first to cheer.
Hugs
Denise

[alicem]

Oh Jessica, I can't begin to tell you how wonderful this news is. I've SO needed to hear this - especially because of what is going on with Brenda. I have been so worried because there was no news and even though these times are bittersweet, I am jumping for joy over your results. I know you are doing everything you can for your strength because you are your own special advocate. That is indeed the legacy of those on this forum, and those who are angels. I'm so sorry about the hair. If it means anything, you look so good In your wig, but I know how important normalcy is. I want to remind you that not only are you beautiful on the outside, you are gorgeous on the inside.

Have a wonderful weekend my friend.

{{{{{hugs}}}}}} and much love from Deep in the Heart of Texas!

~all my best, Alice

[karen z]

Hi. Very grateful for your good news.
Stay strong as I know you can.
k

[sassy]

Jessica,

Glad to hear your news, been checking. I take it as all good--hair not withstanding. Like Alice said, you look so good in your wig, but I know its not the same.

Stay strong!

[Kellennea]

That is great news!!

[Pray]

Jessica, Thank you so much for the update! Your awesome at this fight and this node is just another battle and you have this fight down pat! Gods blessings to you and you will always be in my prayers my friend.

[Paty]

Jessica,

I am glad that things are well, as Sassy says, hair not withstanding, great chance to have lot of different crazy, colored and nice wings, you are gorgeus anyhow.

Sending you my love and hugs.

[Mandamoo]

Oh Jessica - so good to hear.
Ax

['lizbeth]

Awe really, permanent hair loss? I hate that. But very happy that your head is NED.

May good health shine on your with that single enlarged node and we will all be on board with wishing good thoughts that it will shrink right down to nothing.

[KDR]

jessica,
Great news on the health front! What an inspiration you are to all!

Karen