Chemo #5 (of round two)

I had the 5th infusion on Wednesday (10/26), leaving JUST ONE MORE. Sweet Holy Moses I can't wait to finish this out. I know these next four weeks are going to be rough with the side effects more pronounced and more disruptive. My thoughts to make it through are:

• One day at a time (maybe even count them down)
• Acceptance
• Frequently reminding myself that despite feeling like crap, there is nothing wrong
• Prayers for all of the above

Don't hesitate to reach out to me - getting encouraging phone calls or messages is great. I'll be going into the "fatigue cave" starting Friday and coming out of it around Tuesday. I have officially cut down on my working hours (FMLA) in anticipation of being more impacted by fatigue, and I have been given the OK to work from home on those days where I can be effective but require periodic rest. My work and my boss continue to be wonderfully supportive, and I am very appreciative.

One new aspect that is and will be a challenge these next four weeks - increased food sensitivity combined with losing my taste - all common with extended chemo. Foods that I would normally enjoy suddenly strike me as completely unappetizing and can even make me nauseous smelling or looking at them. I'm still figuring out what I can eat and I anticipate downing a lot of Boost/Ensure drinks throughout this time. They are reasonably tasty, have a good calorie count, and an excellent spread of vitamins and minerals. If I need to live on Boost and Protein shakes for a month - so be it. As you can imagine, I look forward to the end of this so that I can enjoy Luisa's wonderful cooking and some nice meals out.

Kick-*ss Scans

Each chemo session they draw blood for the CEA test. Well after chemo #3 the results went from 3.1 to 3.4 - a trend in the wrong direction. We weren't sure what to make of this so the doctor recommended scans to see if the chemo's effectiveness had diminished. This was a very unsettling development especially as I was laid low for 3-4 days by the fatigue, and with it the emotional impact which is hard for me to compensate for. Fact is, this had me very worried.

On Wednesday (October 5th) I had a CT and PET scan. For the PET scan I get an injection of a radioactive glucose and since tumors rapidly uptake sugars with their higher metabolic rate, the scan lights up cancerous areas. The result.....I am what they call PET negative!!!! The primary tumor isn't even showing in a PET scan, and this after three of the six planned chemo sessions. Not only is this good news but it is more than I could have hoped for. I can hardly describe the joy on receiving this news and the joy of sharing it with others.

Margie and I had talked about my hopes for a "kick-ass" scan at the end of the treatment and maybe it even being PET negative - and here we have it after three rounds. This news will really help sustain me through the tough times. My deepest thanks to all of you who continue to provide encouragement and support. I am forever indebted.

Standard disclaimer - this is a very good sign but it doesn't change the treatment. I have three more chemo sessions to finish the job on cancer that might be too small to be seen, and then the final surgery.