Well, not so good and not so bad!!!

[Sandy H]

I finally made it through the day after 7 hours!! I was surprised at what I heard and yet was prepared for the worse hoping for better! I will try to summarize it and not write a book. The bone scan report was not ready so my oncologist read the x-rays as he does much of the time. It was clean! Now, the cat scan was clean for the organs but showed a small right pleural effusion and a tiny left pleural effusion. He said it could be the cancer or just inflammation. I am sure it is the cancer where we know its in the chest wall. Nothing in the lungs which he said is good! The effusion bears watching. I asked about the swelling I have at the base of my neck in front and he said the report did not say anything so he said he was sure he knew what it was but would run around the corner and look at the x-rays in his office. Back he came and said he was right it is a soft tissue nodule from the skin mets. Now, looks like my pain is from the effusion-not severe but its there and from around my port as it is hard and fused to the chest wall. He just shook his head on that one. So we discussed several options and we decided to go with doxil every 4 weeks. He said I would not loose my hair and the info the nurses gave me said I would. I voiced that I did not like mixed messages and that I felt the doctors should tell the patients that all chemo causes hair loss and than those that don't it would be a wonderful surprise!! The nurses laughed and said I keep everyone on their toes. I also made a suggestion and will put it on the next survey that they do away with appointments and have walk in service. This would save them money not to pay the office help to fill out appointment cards etc. The last two time I have waited well over an hour to see the oncologist. They told me they were looking at that issue. I asked to start the chemo today and the doctor looked surprised and said, "well, if you are ready its not that busy (yet, I waited over an hour to see him of course he was the busy one)in the chemo room" and so we did the first one today. I know there are a few on Doxil, Karen who posted today doing well. Awesome, so good to hear some good news this week as seems I have heard so much bad every where I was getting parnoid. I would like feedback from those as to how they are doing with the side effects. I was told the hands and feet will be the worse. At least, I know why I am having the pain in couple of different areas. One from the effusion-not severe but uncomfortable with shortness of breath when I run upstairs. The worse one is from the port being fused to the chest wall. Hopefully, some of this will resolve with the Doxil. Need prayers it will work. Thank you all for your prayers and support, the personal e-mail messages from several and the comforting phone call from Christine. She can read a post and sense when we are desperate-truly an angel sent from God. Thank you Christine for being there for us. I will call you tomorrow. hugs, Sandy